Steve “Mongo” McMichael, the Chicago Bears great who later had a second career in pro wrestling as a member of the Four Horsemen, has been diagnosed with CTE one year after his death.
Following a courageous battle with ALS, McMichael passed away at 67 years old in April 2025. His brain was posthumously examined, with the Concussion & CTE Foundation announcing today that McMichael has been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The disease, which can only officially be diagnosed after death, is believed to be caused by the repeated head trauma that often happens in football.
McMichael’s wife Misty issued a statement saying she hopes this diagnosis helps inspire more research into the connection between football, ALS, and CTE. Studies have shown that NFL players are more likely to develop ALS than the general male population.
“Too many NFL players are developing ALS during life and diagnosed with CTE after death,” Misty McMichael said. “I donated Steve’s brain to inspire new research into the link between them.”
Former WWE wrestler Chris Nowinski, who now heads the Concussion & CTE Foundation, applauded McMichael along with everyone who is participating in CTE research to honor his memory.
“Steve McMichael was known for his strength, toughness, and larger-than-life presence, but his final act was to give a piece of himself back to the sports community so that we might have a chance to save ourselves,” Nowinski said. “I appreciate all the former athletes, including many of Steve’s ’85 Bears teammates, who are raising funds and volunteering to participate in CTE research so we can create a brighter future for athletes everywhere.”
McMichael was a United States Champion for WCW while working for the promotion as a wrestler and commentator in the 1990s. In his football career, he played defensive tackle for one of the greatest teams of all time on the 1985 Bears. During his battle with ALS, McMichael was finally enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which was a long-awaited dream of his.
AEW is producing a tribute to Pro Football Hall of Famer and former WCW wrestler Steve “Mongo” McMichael.
As announced during this week’s Collision, the tribute will air on the Saturday, May 17 Collision Beach Break episode airing from Chicago. McMichael played 13 of his 15 NFL seasons with the Chicago Bears.
Tony Schiavone announced on Thursday’s telecast that McMichael’s longtime friend and former Four Horsemen comrade Ric Flair will be in attendance for the tribute.
McMichael passed away in April at the age of 67 after a long battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). McMichael was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August 2024.
The Beach Break episode of Collision will air on Saturday, May 17 in its usual 8 p.m. Eastern time slot on TNT and Max, but the show will be taped Wednesday night, May 14 along with the live Dynamite Beach Break show.
Megan Bayne facing Anna Jay in singles competition has also been announced for the Collision card.
AEW Collision Beach Break —
A tribute to Steve “Mongo” McMichael, Ric Flair to appear
Dave Meltzer and I are back with our Friday edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about all the big news from today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
John LaRocca and I are back to talk about the major topics in the world of wrestling on this week’s Fight Game Podcast. You can also watch this show on video below as it was livestreamed to our YouTube channel.
We kicked off the show by giving out our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down winners and losers of the week before going into our Top Five topics which included:
The best and worst of WWE WrestleMania 41
The Rock on The Pat McAfee Show
AEW Dynamite recap
NXT Stand & Deliver and their show from Tuesday
The last two Dark Side of the Ring episodes on Tony Atlas and “Superstar” Billy Graham
The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter:
Running down AEW Dynasty, controversy over the finish, where the angles look to be going, Young Bucks return, what the PPV number says and what to learn from it, long-term, Chris Jericho update, Why the show was long, Swerve vs. Booker and match-by-match rundowns.
Update on the Mania card, what matches are on what night, what is up in the air on the card, length, odds, Kevin Owens injury, Paul Heyman angle, Flair vs Stratton and Stand & Deliver, ticket demand and more.
New Japan Sakura Geneis report, angles at the show, Best of the Super Juniors and Windy City Riot.
Update on the legal strategy of WWE, Vince McMahon and Linda McMahon regarding the ringboys lawsuit.
El Hijo del Santo’s possible last match in Mexico City
The most detailed look at the ratings for all the pro wrestling shows, including comparisons with a year ago quarters, demos, placings and competition.
Fantastica Mania Mexico
Arena Mexico hosting tournament of champions
Mina Shirakawa leves Stardom
Dragon Gate in Las Vegas
Lots of Las Vegas lineups for this coming week
Champion Carnival in All Japan begins
Junior Sakura Geneis thoughts
Anniversary of a legendary match
Advance ticket sales to the major WWE & AEW & Las Vegas wrestling events
Injury updates
Ospreay on Owen Hart
Aaron Pico signs with UFC
Major 2010 feud rematch falls apart
Lex Luger Hall of Fame notes
Legacy Hall of Fame notes
This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue
WWE extended its condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Steve “Mongo” McMichael following his death at 67 years old after a courageous battle against ALS:
WWE is saddened to learn that Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael has passed away.
McMichael initially started as a star NFL player, most known for his time playing for the Chicago Bears, where he won a Super Bowl ring and made two Pro Bowl teams.
After his NFL career, he transitioned into sports-entertainment, briefly appearing for WWE in the lead-up to Lawrence Taylor’s match against Bam Bam Bigelow at WrestleMania XI.
McMichael then found success in WCW in 1995, initially appearing as a color commentator on Nitro.
‘Mongo,’ his nickname from his NFL days, then joined up with Ric Flair and The Four Horsemen, competing in a WarGames Match and having a long-running rivalry with Jeff Jarrett. His issues with Jarrett led to McMichael winning the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship at Clash of the Champions XXXV.
On Feb. 8, McMichael was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024, and he will be enshrined in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday, Aug. 3.
WWE extends its condolences to McMichael’s family, friends, and fans.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque added: “From the gridiron to the squared circle, Steve brought every bit of intensity to everything in his life. True legend in every regard. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
It’s a cruel irony that the Bears’ Ironman succumbed to this dreaded disease. Yet Steve showed us throughout his struggle that his real strength was internal, and he demonstrated on a daily basis his class, his dignity and his humanity. He is at peace now. We offer our condolences to Misty, Macy, the rest of Steve’s family, his teammates, and countless friends and fans of a great Bear.
In an interview with NJPW’s English-language website, Nick Wayne explained what he wants to gain from competing in the Best of the Super Juniors tournament:
Honestly, just being in Best of Super Juniors is a dream come true. Ask anyone close to me — this has been my goal for years. But beyond that, I want to grow. I want to go to Japan and come back a better man, better wrestler. I want to soak in everything — the training, the matches, the fans, the culture. I’m treating every match like it’s the main event. I want people to see that I belong here, and that I have the potential to be not just one of the best juniors — but one of the best, period. A lot of my favorites — the legends — came through Japan, and I want to follow that same path.
Wayne named Hiromu Takahashi as someone he’s hoping to face in BOSJ:
Hiromu, for sure. That’s number one. He’s won this tournament so many times, and I’ve studied all of his matches. If I can get in there with him, put on something special — or even beat him — that would mean everything. Ninja Mack is another. We’ve wrestled in the U.S. a few times, and I know what he brings. He’s made a name for himself over here too, but he’s someone I’d love to share the ring with again in this setting. But Hiromu and [El Desperado]? That’s the dream.
I still work with Bryan Danielson. He’s still a big part of my office. He’s not on the show, and he’s been injured and maybe retired for good, but he’s never said he’s done for good, and I hope that there’s some possibility he will be able to return to wrestling from the injuries and the way he left, but he’s still a part of AEW, so I’m still very fortunate to work with Bryan. I talk to Bryan almost every day. He’s got a great mind for wrestling, and he’s somebody that I’m really pleased and blessed came into AEW and got involved with us. He’s a great person in and out of the ring, and he’s a great leader in AEW.
TNA World Champion Joe Hendry thanked TNA and WWE for allowing him to compete at WrestleMania:
I want to say a huge thank you to both TNA Wrestling and WWE for collaborating on this appearance and allowing such a cool moment for you, the fans. The fans put me in this position. You kept saying my name, you kept it going, and the support that you’ve given me has been more than I could ever ask for. So thank you so much for all of the support, and I’m excited just like you to see what’s next.
Arn Anderson is paying tribute to his Four Horsemen stablemate Steve “Mongo” McMichael following his passing at 67 years old.
Four years after disclosing his battle with ALS, McMichael passed away on April 23. He had been unresponsive over the last couple of weeks and in and out of the hospital. McMichael died shortly after it was recommended that he be moved from the ICU to hospice care.
“Today, the world is less one hell of a man,” Anderson wrote in a statement posted by his Arn Show podcast. “A beast on the football field and, as everyone in Chicago knows, a real man’s man! He walked into the world of professional wrestling with little or no formal training. Being a god in his world didn’t mean he would necessarily be a success in our world. When we made him a Horseman, we found out right away you would never want to meet him in a dark alley if he had ill intentions. But no better guy to go to war with as we found out on many occasions.
“To his family, thank you for sharing him with us for even a short period of time. To Mongo, nothing but love and respect. I am honored to have known you. Side note to God: You’re gonna have your hands full with this one!”
During his courageous fight against ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) — currently a fatal neurological disease with no cure — McMichael achieved his dream of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024. A defensive tackle, he was a star for the 1985 Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears, considered the greatest defense in NFL history and one of the best football teams of all time.
The charismatic McMichael crossed over to pro wrestling in the 1990s with a run in WCW as a wrestler and commentator. He held the United States Championship one time.
Ric Flair also shared a remembrance of McMichael on Wednesday after his passing:
The World Just Lost The Incredible Steve “Mongo” McMichael! He Was My Best Friend Through It All! An Amazing Athlete And Human Being! I Have The Fondest Memories Working With Him, And This Is An Extremely Heartbreaking Loss For Me! I Love You Mongo! You Fought One Hell Of A… pic.twitter.com/yq2YHfWKmf
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the death of Steve McMichael, TripleMania under WWE rule, Jeff Cobb, ratings, the Rock and the entire lead-up to WrestleMania, Dynamite and NXT TV reviews, Collision spoilers and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps: Start: Steve McMichael passes away 6:21: AAA announces Triplemania Regia for June, CMLL notes 14:05: Jeff Cobb update, Stardom notes, AEW to co-promote upcoming Dean Rasmussen tribute shows 17:57: Ratings 23:41: More on The Rock/John Cena/Cody Rhodes storyline 40:40: AEW Dynamite recap 59:40: WWE NXT recap 1:06:53: AEW Collision spoilers
After a four-year battle with ALS, Pro Football Hall of Famer and former WCW wrestler/commentator Steve “Mongo” McMichael passed away Wednesday at 67 years old.
Jarrett Payton, son of the late Walter Payton, announced McMichael’s passing, stating he died at 5:28 PM. Earlier on Wednesday, it was announced McMichael had entered hospice care.
McMichael was elected to the Hall of Fame in February 2024 with his story on being elected while battling ALS getting national headlines. He was a star defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears and was part of the 1985 Super Bowl winning team which featured arguably the best defense in NFL history.
Wrestling fans know McMichael as both a WCW wrestler and commentator during the Monday Night War era from 1995 through 1999. He was a member of the Four Horsemen and a one-time United States Champion, also appearing at 1995’s WWE WrestleMania XI as part of Lawrence Taylor’s entourage before he faced Bam Bam Bigelow.
Ric Flair, a longtime friend of McMichael, paid tribute after the news broke to who he called “my best friend” —
The World Just Lost The Incredible Steve “Mongo” McMichael! He Was My Best Friend Through It All! An Amazing Athlete And Human Being! I Have The Fondest Memories Working With Him, And This Is An Extremely Heartbreaking Loss For Me! I Love You Mongo! You Fought One Hell Of A… pic.twitter.com/yq2YHfWKmf
NFL legend and former WCW United States Champion Steve “Mongo” McMichael is entering hospice care in the next step in his battle against ALS.
WGN in Chicago confirmed on Wednesday that McMichael, 67, is being removed from a ventilator in the ICU and moving to a hospice care facility. WGN sports anchor Jarrett Payton — the son of Mongo’s late Chicago Bears teammate Walter Payton — asked everyone to keep McMichael in their prayers.
Four years ago today, I stood beside Steve McMichael as he bravely shared his #ALS diagnosis. Today, as he enters hospice care, I ask that you please keep Steve and his family in your prayers. Thank you. #Bearspic.twitter.com/XlLN9C6x1J
“Four years ago today, I stood beside Steve McMichael as he bravely shared his #ALS diagnosis,” Payton tweeted. “Today, as he enters hospice care, I ask that you please keep Steve and his family in your prayers. Thank you. #Bears”
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) currently has no cure. As he courageously battles the fatal disease, McMichael — a star defensive lineman who helped the 1985 Chicago Bears win the Super Bowl — achieved his long-awaited dream of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024. With former teammates and his wife Misty surrounding him, McMichael received his gold jacket at home and saw his Hall of Fame statue.
The 1985 Bears are considered one of the greatest teams and greatest defenses in the history of football.
To wrestling fans, McMichael is known for his run as a wrestler and commentator for WCW in the 1990s. He was a member of the Four Horsemen alongside his friend Ric Flair.
Hospice care “aims to manage [a] patient’s symptoms while supporting their quality of life” when continuing treatment is no longer considered the correct option. Patients are eligible for hospice care when they’re expected to live six months or less.
“As of today, Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox has recommended to the family to transfer Steve into a Joliet hospice facility this afternoon,” Misty McMichael told Fox 32 Chicago. “He’s been unresponsive for last two weeks and in and out of the hospital. He’s currently in the ICU at Silver Cross.”
Dave Meltzer has a new premium article up on the site for subscribers looking at the life and career of Steve “Mongo” McMichael including what brought him to WCW and his appearance at WWE WrestleMania as part of the Lawrence Taylor/Bam Bam Bigelow angle.
The new issue of the Observer is up on the site right now featuring two very in-depth stories:
Judge Richard Boulware refuses to accept the $335 million TKO settlement in the Cung Le case, why, lawyers react, lots of inside ramifications of the case, how different settlements would work out for the biggest name fighters and the average fighters and what comes next and why they still can’t risk a trial.
AEW rights fees talks and what they mean, how much talent earns by percentage of revenues compared to other sports, estimating annual income at different rights points, cutbacks why the deal length is so important, noticeable TV cutbacks and ROH potential going forward.
SummerSlam preview, ticket sales, secondary market, expectations for finishes and favorites.
All In, update on new matches being teased, ticket sales, can they reach the next goal, PPV thoughts and promotion of the event.
Update on the G-1 Climax tournament
UFC 304 full coverage, what’s next for the fighters, new storylines, business notes, match-by-match rundown
What matches you need to see from G-1
A look at the retirement and career of Meiko Satomura
A detailed look at ROH Death Before Dishonor and the ROH brand
The life and career of longtime prelim wrestler Pete Sanchez/Gino Caruso
The most detailed look at the ratings from the past two weeks including where the top shows placed, breakdown on who is watching and changes, how badly the Olympics changed viewership and much more.
Death Triangle go to the hottest arena in the world and how the crowd reacted
One of the best high flyers in the world is almost ready to return
A look at two Stardom PPV shows and major title changes
Oldest male wrestler ever to do a match
Marigold tag team title decided and Grand Prix singles tournament
Death of former Crockett wrestler who had a short career but was in with the biggest names in wrestling at the time
Modern legend retirement tour first main event announced
Dijak and MJF to RevPro
Bloodsport with talent from WWE, ROH and TNA
Update on PPV numbers from WWE, AEW, TNA and Diaz-Masvidal and Paul-Perry
Tony Khan and Shane McMahon
Top star returns to AEW
Lots of injury updates
Bill Goldberg talks Tony Khan
Merch sales
Highest ticket prices ever for an MMA event at The Sphere
Updates on Brock Lesnar
This Week’s Wresting Observer Newsletter Back Issue
Garrett and I did a show today where we talked to John Nash about the Cung Le lawsuit as well as the death of Strikeforce and then talked about SummerSlam, Shane McMahon, AEW & UFC deals, high ticket prices that will just get higher, and more. Bryan and I will be back tomorrow night talking about SummerSlam and weekend news.
Steve McMichael’s NFL Hall of Fame ceremony will air at Noon Eastern time tomorrow on ESPN. Because of his suffering from ALS, he was unable to attend but they are having their own ceremony in his house. ESPN SportsCenter in covering the inductions did a feature on McMichael with Ric Flair and former teammates Mike Singletary and Richard Dent. His wife Misty, daughter Macy, Dent and Jimbo Covert will represent him in Canton tomorrow. There will also be a celebration at his house with several former teammates.
CMLL officially announced Hechicero vs. Euforia vs. Esfinge vs. Valiente for the 9/13 Anniversary show. It’s four masked men who will be put in a four-way match. The first two pinned are out of the match. The two survivors have a mask vs. mask match. I recognize this makes no sense but that is the way CMLL has done this in the past. Mistico also faces Chris Jericho on that show. In 1956 they built Arena Mexico because the arenas were too small for the crowds El Santo, Blue Demon, Black Shadow and the rest were drawing. We are now in a situation where Arena Mexico is too small.
Tonight’s show with MJF vs. Templario and Pac & Rocky Romero vs. Mascara Dorada & Volador Jr., is expected to be the second straight Friday night sellout. There were 80 tickets left earlier today. Mistico vs. Magnus headlines Monday in Puebla as they go for their third straight sellout of that arena.
Smackdown tonight has Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa vs. Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga for the men’s tag titles and Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn vs. Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill for the women’s tag titles.
Rampage tonight at 10 p.m. has Wheeler Yuta vs. The Butcher, Brian Cage vs. Manny Lo, Harley Cameron vs. Nyla Rose, Bryan Keith vs. Jackson Drake and Private Party vs. MxM Collection.
Collision tomorrow is at 5 p.m. Eastern on TBS:
Claudio Castagnoli vs. Tomohiro Ishii vs Lee Moriarty – winner faces Kazuchika Okada for the Continental title
Mistico & Hologram vs. Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari
Toni Storm vs. ?
Brian Cage vs. Kyle Fletcher
Thunder Rosa vs. Taya Valkyrie
FTR & Mark Briscoe & Darby Allin vs. Matt Taven & Mike Bennett Beast Mortos & Roderick Strong
After Smackdown in Cleveland, Sami Zayn & Friends will be doing a comedy show at the Agora Theater in Cleveland starting at 11 p.m.
Tony Khan is in Paris for the Olympics. The belief is that he’ll be meeting with WBD CEO David Zaslav on this trip.
G-1 is tonight at 2 a.m. Eastern from the Yamato Arena in Osaka with A block matches with Callum Newman vs. Jake Lee, Great O’Khan vs. Evil, Tetsuya Naito vs. Gabe Kidd, Shota Umino vs. Sanada and Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Shingo Takagi. There is also a 3 a.m. Eastern show tomorrow night from Dolphins Arena in Nagoya.
We’re looking for reports from Smackdown tonight in Cleveland with the dark matches and anything not on the live show, results, finishes and highlights to [email protected]
We’re doing a weekend poll on SummerSlam so you can leave a thumbs up, down or in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
Funeral services for Leo Burke are tomorrow at 2 pm. at MacInnis & Holloway in Calgary.
UFC is an early show from Abu Dhabi tomorrow
ESPN 2 at Noon Eastern
Sedriques Dumas (186) vs Denis Tiuliulin (185)
Jai Hebert (155.5) vs. Rolando Bedoya (155)
Viktoriia Dudakova (115.5) vs. Sam Hughes (114)
Guram Kautateladze (155) vs. Jordan Vucenic (155)
Shamil Gaziev (262) vs. Don’Tale Mayes (265)
Mohammed Yahya (155) vs. Kaue Fernandes (155.5)
Alonzo Menifield (204) vs. Azamat Murzakanov (205)
ABC at 3 p.m. Eastern
Joel Alvarez (155.5) vs. Eleves Brener (155)
Mackenzie Dern (115) vs. Loopy Godinez (115.5)
Tony Ferguson (170) vs Michael Chiesa (170)
Marlon Vera (136) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (135.5)
Shara Magaomedov (186) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (185)
Cory Sandhagen (136) vs. Umar Numagomedov (135)
Carla Esparza, the first UFC strawweight champion, announced that she was retiring with her final fight against Tecia (Torres) Pennington at UFC 307 on 10/5 in Salt Lake City.
AAA Verano de Escandalo is tonight in Aguascalientes with a cage match with Mesias & Dark Espiritu & Dark Scoria vs. Dave the Clown & Murder Clown & Panic Clown vs Sanson & Forastero & Fresero Jr.
AEW released an interview with Renee Paquette with Ortiz to build for his return from an injury
Those takes by Logan Paul and Pat McAfree on Algerian boxer Imane Khelif were really bad and I hope they both realize it by now.
GCW on Sunday in Asbury Park NJ at 5 pm. has Mike Bailey vs. Raj Singh (Jinder Mahal).
Lucha Va Voom on 8/16 at the Mayan Theater in Los Angeles with Taya Valkyrie, Magno, Peter Avalon, Jack Cartwheel and more.
Jeff Gorman will be signing his WWF and WCW history books King of New York and King of Atlanta tomorrow at Lion Heart Coffee on 530 Euclid Ave. in Cleveland from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at 27 Club Coffee at 1215 W 10th St. in Cleveland from 2-5 p.m.
Update on what Mexican talent can work on the same shows as other Mexican talent, the recent changes and how they’ve gone down and the current political situation leading into Forbidden Door
Looking at WWE Clash at the Castle and NXT Battleground
Update on Forbidden Door, ticket demand and AEW’s top programs
Conor McGregor and UFC 303
Full report on UFC 302, business and match-by-match coverage
Hiroshi Tanahashi’s 10-point plan to strengthen New Japan Pro Wrestling. We look at where the company stands and its obstacles as Tanahashi hits the six-month mark as President
Death of El Signo and the heyday of Los Misionero de la Muerte
A look at episode one of Who Killed WCW?
The most detailed look at the ratings for all pro wrestling and MMA television shows over the past week including competition, key demos, segment-by-segment, analysis, standing and how it compares with one year ago.
New promotion gets weekly television on a top 20 station starting in one week, as well as being on the verge of a second deal
Celebration of 20 years of Mistico shows
Arena Mexico continues big crowds
Dream Gate title change
A look at the Dominion show this week
Update on next week’s show featuring talent from a number of major promotions including a rematch of one of this year’s best matches
More on the B Block finals and semifinals of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament
Gable Steveson tries the NFL and how this very much differs from other former top level wrestlers who have had NFL success
Missy Hyatt talks Vince McMahon and details her own experience with him
Wrestling book writers Hall of Fame
AEW star challenges for British title
Notes on MLW Battle Riot
GCW has a major weekend
Update on TNA office cuts and changes
Mike Santana talks about battling drinking issue
Notes on people whose contracts are expiring and updates
Chuck Taylor and his hopes of returning to the ring
More details on AEW doing a residency in Arlington, TX and the economics behind it
Kevin Kelly talks his AEW departure and issues with Ian Riccaboni
Story behind the Collision rating report
International TV ratings
Why certain wrestlers haven’t been on AEW TV of late
Another AEW star comes out publicly
More on the Cung Le antitrust lawsuit settlement
Just how much Saudi Arabia is paying for these big events
How UFC & WWE are doing record grosses
Mark Shapiro talks about how Dana White reacted to the merger and talks about White’s previous problems with Vince McMahon
How McMahon first saved UFC and then became a powerful enemy
Former WWE stars talk about how talent is paid now, why not getting booked is better for your paycheck and how easily it is to get around WWE drug testing
Updated King of the Ring and Double or Nothing PPV notes
Reports on WWE weekend house shows
This week’s Wresting Observer Newsletter back issue
Make-A-Wish announced in a press release they have hit a goal of recruiting 1 million “wishmakers” during World Wish Month, citing stars Becky Lynch, Cody Rhodes, The New Day, Finn Balor, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods as those taking part in recruiting people for the cause.
NBC Sports reported that former WCW star Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael will be unable to travel to attend his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction.
“Steve McMichael will not be able to travel to Canton, Ohio for his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction due to complications of ALS he has so valiantly fought the last three years,” McMichael’s family said in a statement. “The Hall of Fame is making plans for presenting his honor at his home. Steve and his family thank you for the fans’ ongoing support.”
Disco Inferno on X responded to Dax Harwood’s injury, writing “You just ruined your boss’s narrative that he will put their safety record up against anyone. If talent is working hurt and not telling the office, then it’s not a safe work environment. Bad look Dax.”
Harwood responded: “I know this is exactly what you’re looking for, because you beg for relevancy that you only got by being a punching bag your whole career, but you’re a f****** idiot. If you ever worked hard enough during your little 15 minute-of fame-career to ever feel any sort of pain, you’d know the anxiety that comes with injury to an athlete. So while you’re trying to turn this into a bit for your shitty podcast, I’m hoping & praying that I don’t have to go through an extensive surgery, or even worse. For being someone who claims to be so smart to our business, you’d probably know wrestlers have worked hurt for decades. Also, I’m 100% sure some wrestlers in WWE are working hurt right now, but of course you only decide to attack AEW…anything for the clicks. If anything, this does not go against the “safe working environment” that my boss promotes. It shows how dumb we as wrestlers are to hide this information from all the proper people put in place to keep us safe. How can this be anyone’s fault except mine? No one knew about the severity of my injury. And once I finally told Tony and Doc Sampson, they immediately MADE me take time off. Maybe one day, I can be on your podcast, but only if we do it live and face to face. I’ll fly myself wherever I need to meet you. Open invitation. Anyways…off to an MRI. While you’ll be talking about this for a segment of your show, I’m hoping the doctors don’t find out anything worse about my condition. Good day, Glenn.”
The Washington Post has an article on Bryan Danielson as he winds down his wrestling career.
Cultaholic spoke to TNA’s Leon Slater, who mentioned names like Je’Von Evans, AJ Styles, and Trick Williams as potential future opponents.
“The one I’ve been seeing on socials a lot is me and Je’Von Evans,” he said. “I think even before Je’Von got signed we were being compared as kind of like two parallels on other sides of the pond. We’re both young, we both carry ourselves with this confidence, this kind of attitude. So I think me and Je’Von would be a very interesting matchup. Other than him, obviously the main man Trick Williams is someone I would like to mix it up with. As far as the main roster goes, I have to say AJ Styles, man, especially being on this side representing TNA now. I’d be super, super interested to mix it up with AJ, who really put TNA on the map.”
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including great Steve McMichael news, a major anniversary in Japanese wrestling history, Michael Oku vs. Will Ospreay, FantasticaMania, line-ups for the next few days, the RAW Report with a lot of build towards Chamber and Mania, and more. A packed show, so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: A big weekend ahead
2:54: Steve McMichael update
5:20: 70th anniversary of Rikidozan & Kimura vs. Sharpe Brothers, a question on which promoter would be the the best leader of their country
11:40: WWE’s house show in Fresno does big business
17:04: Dave’s thoughts on Will Ospreay vs. Michael Oku from RevPro High Stakes
28:36: Dave’s NJPW/CMLL Fantasticamania thoughts
31:15: NXT & AEW Dynamite lineups
37:05: WWE Raw recap
1:01:18: Q&A question on Funks vs. Pirata Morgan and El Egipcio from AJPW, Dave’s thoughts on Friday’s WOR
The new issue of the Observer up on the site is filled with tons of detailed news stories, between more on the Vince McMahon situation, WrestleMania 40 and the press conference, the new streaming services and changes in the sports media ecosystem, Rossy Ogawa and Scott D’Amore being fired as heads of Stardom and TNA, Steve McMichael makes the NFL Hall of Fame, and a study of AEW PPV buys.
How Vince McMahon was let go
The federal investigation of McMahon
What they were looking for and confiscated and how it ties in with other news
Who else has been talked with
Lots more on the Ashley Massaro situation
Why Ari Emanuel needs to answer a lot of questions
WrestleMania 40 blurring the lines
A look at the press conference and reaction to Rock
Update on Elimination Chamber
A look at the new sports streaming service that many networks are partnering in
The firing of Rossy Ogawa with a look into the background of what happened
Comments from both Taro Okada and Ogawa with both sides
Different booking decisions overruled
How AEW & WWE fit into the story
Firing of Scott D’Amore, the background of it, the talent meeting, how successful the last PPV show really was
Full coverage of NXT Stand & Deliver
A study of AEW PPV buyers and what it reveals
Steve McMichael makes NFL Hall of Fame as one of his last wishes and a look back at his run, plus other wrestlers in the NFL Hall of Fame
The most detailed look at the ratings of all the wrestling TV shows, demo breakdowns, comparisons with last year, segment numbers and what can be learned from it
Huge feud appears to be brewing with AEW internationally
Gran Alternativa final draws back at Arena Mexico
AAA Rey de Reyes notes
Stardom anniversary show notes
Lots of injury updates
Toby Keith and his connection with wrestling that you probably do know and may not know
40th anniversary of the death of El Santo and David Von Erich
Bret Hart talks problems with today’s wrestling
One of the best promos of the year by Amira
Lots more on Revolution
Largest crowds ever in Greensboro
Wembley Stadium update
Attendance updates for upcoming WWE, AEW and UFC shows
Lots of injury updates
Gina Carano sues Disney
More WrestleMania updates
International TV ratings and streaming numbers
TV reviews and show notes
Two personalities in Super Bowl commercials Sunday
Bryan and I will be up tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio covering Raw and the rest of the recent news.
A note on the horrible story of Billy Haynes (Billy Jack Haynes) allegedly shooting and killing his wife Janettte Becraft Haynes. Janette’s only son, powerlifter and former indie wrestler Todd Becraft,. had been best friends with Billy since 1971 when Todd was nine and Billy was 18. Police were alerted to gunfire at the home that Haynes, 70, and wife Janette, 85, were living in. There was a two-hour standoff before they could get Haynes out of the house and into custody. Janette’s death was ruled by the medical examiner’s office as due to a gunshot wound.
Raw tonight is from Lexington, KY with LA Knight vs. Ivar and Bobby Lashley vs. Bronson Reed in men’s elimination chamber qualifying matches and Zoey Stark vs. Liv Morgan in a women’s qualifying match. Also announced is JD McDonagh vs. R-Truth. M Z. They had more than 9,800 tickets out for the show earlier today so they will have another big crowd, although that’s far from capacity at Rupp Arena.
We’re looking for reports from Lexington tonight with Main Event matches and anything else not on the live show to [email protected]
We’re also looking for your thoughts on yesterday’s New Beginning in Osaka with a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
Smackdown on Friday did 2.58 million viewers and an 0.75 in 18-49, which are gigantic numbers for the show, and next week with Roman Reigns and Dwayne Johnson on and advertised ahead of time should beat that. Next week’s show has a chance of being No. 1 for the week on network television since football is now over. The Super Bowl rating wasn’t out but it was expected to be the largest audience ever to watch a television show in the U.S.
Rampage was also up from usual with 456,000 viewers and an 0.14 in 18-49.
The Iron Claw movie will be out on VOD tomorrow.
E! did a feature on Dwayne Johnson’s kids and their interest in wrestling. Notable is the feature was put together before the change in plans at Mania as it talked about Johnson vs Roman Reigns at WrestleMania.
PWInsider reported Eric Young will be hosting the second season of Vinyl Obsession, a show where old time rock stars search for vinyl albums and talk about their past. Also Frankie Kazarian, Josh Alexander and Young will be on shows like Top 10 Revealed and The Very Best of the 80s. It’s part of a program where Anthem Entertainment wants to get the TNA talent on its other programming on AXS TV.
WWE through its deal with the NFL has released a Super Bowl legacy title belt for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Star Jr. & Magnus from CMLL will be on the 2/29 MLW show at the Melrose Ballroom in New York. They will wrestle each other with Star Jr. managed by Salina de la Renta and Magnus by Cesar Duran.
PFL has announced a partnership with Torneos in Latin America and as part of the deal DirecTV will continue as the group’s exclusive media partner in Latin America.
WWE stock may take an uptick in the next few days as Jeffries targeted $120 per share price because of the expectation of huge profit increases due to WWE & UFC working together.
Hechicero issued a challenge to Zack Sabre Jr. after seeing his match yesterday with Bryan Danielson. The Sabre-Danielson match from Osaka is a strong candidate for the best match so far this year. If you are into technical wrestling, it’s among the best bouts of all-time.
Bret Hart and Greg Gagne did meet and greets on Saturday night on the Midwest All-Star Wrestling show in Turtle Lake, WI. Hart arrival was delayed and he didn’t make it until the end of the show but spent more than three hours after the show was over making sure everyone was accommodated (thanks to Cody Endres)
Moose vs. Kushida for the TNA title headlines Thursday’s Ima[pct show along with Chis Bey & Ace Austin vs. Grizzled Young Veterans in the second best of a best-of-three series.
The final episode of the season of Big Little Brawlers airs at 10 p.m. tomorrow night on Discovery. The show has been doing usually in the range of 330,000 viewers and 0.08.
Mercedes Mone, Bayley, Britt Baker and Naomi were together at the Super Bowl game yesterday.
Matt Hardy will be recording his podcast The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy over Mania weekend on 4/5 at 4 p.m. Eastern at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel.
Bronson Reed posted on Istagram about the death of his cousin Kayla.
Kurt Angle makes an appearance for Outlaw Pro Wrestling on 3/2 in West Babylon, NY at West Babylon High School.
A story on McMichael and his fight against ALS will air on ESPN’s Postseason NFL Countdown this Sunday.
Mongo is officially elected to the Hall of Fame.
The Story of Steve McMichael and how he fought ALS so he could see the day he goes to Canton. This Sunday on Postseason NFL Countdown. pic.twitter.com/QcgEDPJAOJ
As he battles ALS, Steve “Mongo” McMichael is set to receive one of the greatest honors of his life.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the former WCW wrestler and Four Horseman member will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of its 2024 class. The official announcement will be made on Thursday night.
McMichael was a star defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears and was part of their 1985 team that won the Super Bowl and is considered the best defense in NFL history.
McMichael, who has waited decades for his induction, was one of three Seniors Committee finalists for this year’s class. He needed to receive 80 percent of the vote from the Hall of Fame’s 50-person selection committee.
In 2021, McMichael went public with the news that he’s battling ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The fatal disease currently has no cure.
“He would have died at home if it wasn’t for the nomination,” McMichael’s wife Misty told the Chicago Sun-Times in 2023. “He was dying in front of us. We ripped up the DNR (do not resuscitate orders) because of the nomination. He has to live to see this.”
McMichael worked for WCW as a wrestler and commentator after his football career ended. He was a member of the Four Horsemen and a one-time United States Champion.
McMichael also appeared at WrestleMania XI in 1995 as part of Lawrence Taylor’s match against Bam Bam Bigelow.
When I see him, I just start crying – to know that he’s so aware of everything up here. I don’t know if a lot of people are aware that you don’t lose anything up here. You just lose the use of your body. I’d do anything in the world to make him smile. To see that smile last for 30 seconds or a minute or whatever is so special because he’s a great human being.
Flair added that he thought McMichael already should have been in the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
I think it’s mandatory. It’s one of these things where I think he already should have been based on his stats. He’s right there with Warren Sapp – almost tied or equal number wise.
I’ll tell you this, if we all go to Canton and he gets inducted and they bring him up on stage, it’ll be a Jimmy Valvano moment. Like his speech at the ESPYs.
