Dave Meltzer and I are back on Wrestling Observer Radio after a two week hiatus talking all the latest news in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter including stories on the business of Ric Flair’s Last Match, Warner Bros. Discovery, Karl Fredericks, Daniel Bryan & the Miz, and Dana White at WrestleMania 34.
We also talk about all the media Dave has been doing of late including Talk Is Jericho, and the Sports Illustrated’s Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina. We look at AEW TV ratings and the G1. We also talk about Dax Harwood’s tweet about Dave and why he posted it.
During his appearance on the latest episode of Talk is Jericho, Keith Lee discussed the “Bearcat” character he was given toward the end of his WWE run.
Lee was repackaged as “Bearcat” Keith Lee in September 2021, less than two months before he would be released by WWE. Before he was given the new gimmick, Lee had returned to the ring in July 2021 after being out of action for five months due to a scary battle with the after effects of COVID-19.
Chris Jericho asked Lee on Talk is Jericho if he thought WWE losing faith in him during that five-month absence led to him being released.
“I wish that I had an answer for you. The reality is — what happened is, when I was about to come back, they kind of hit me with the vision for the Bearcat thing. During that time, I was like, I don’t understand what that is, I’m not sure if I’m feeling that. And they brought me back just as myself. And then, I don’t know, my second match, I think, yeah. So first match, lost to [Bobby] Lashley. Second match, lost to [Karrion] Kross. In the middle of the show, Vince [McMahon] pulls me to a room and wants to sit down and have a talk,” Lee said.
“Yeah, in the middle of Raw, like, he’s got like the semi and the main event coming up. He’s just like, ‘Let’s go chat.’ Dude, you’re the guy on the headphones. What are you doing? But it was in that conversation he basically was like, ‘Listen, I need you to do this. I need you to be this.’ And I was like, ‘I mean, listen, I work for you. So, if that’s what you want, that’s what we’re gonna do.’”
Jericho asked Lee what McMahon’s vision for the Bearcat character was.
“So, the weird thing, and this is something I’ve also discussed recently is, obviously, you mentioned the way that I speak, my cadence, the way that I seem very thoughtful about how I deliver things, my choice of diction, all of those things, is something that Vince was not a fan of. To the point where he literally told me, he’s like, ‘You sound too smart for your own good.’ I’m like, ‘I don’t understand what that means. Like, what is that?’ He wanted something more grimy. I don’t know, I don’t think I delivered that for him,” Lee said.
“He wanted some intense guy. And I think that I can be intense, but I need a reason to be intense. It’s easy for me to flip a switch, but if it doesn’t make sense, it’s hard for me to do that. So I can’t be just — and I say can’t, I tried, I don’t think I’m very good at it. And I think that that’s something that kind of facilitated that. But I’m just not a big, angry, grunty, yelly guy. I’m not that until someone makes me that. And it’s usually a match that causes that or a story that causes that. But when there’s no competitive match that pushes me or when there’s no story that gives me reason for a character to be that, it’s something — and maybe that’s what he means when he says I’m too smart. To me, it’s illogical. I like to do my best to make sense of what we’re doing.”
When asked if there was any connection between the Bearcat character and legendary wrestler Bearcat Wright, Lee said he initially thought that it might be an homage, but he was told not to reference Wright. Lee said the only direction he was given was to be intense and angry.
“Realistically, that’s the first thing I thought. I’m very big on being myself as opposed to trying to be someone else. So, it didn’t make sense to me, but this is what I was asked to do. That’s what I thought, like, ‘Oh, maybe this is an homage to this guy that was making waves back in his day.’ I feel I’ve made waves, but if he wants me to make more, hell, let’s go for it. And then I asked about it one day because people were asking me, ‘Where did this name come from?’ I’m like, ‘Hell, I don’t know, I was told to be it.’ I couldn’t make a story for this. It just — it didn’t resonate,” Lee said.
“The reality is, the direction was, ‘Be intense. Be angry.’ And that’s it. And so that’s what I tried to facilitate. But then they would want me to cut promos similar to the way that I did before. And I’m like, ‘But you guys have a problem with the way that I speak. How would you like this promo delivered?’ This is where I would like something written for me. I don’t normally care for that, I prefer to go off the cuff and just kind of feel it. But if this character is so far removed from what I’ve been doing, I would like something to tell me who and what this character is, why it exists, like where did it come from. And as much as I tried to make things in terms of story for it, either it wasn’t what was asked for or I was asked to not use it anymore. And Bearcat Wright is one of those things. Like, ‘Don’t reference him.’ And I’m like, ‘Okay, so be it.'”
After his WWE non-compete clause expired, Lee signed with AEW and debuted on the February 9 episode of Dynamite. He’ll be one of the participants in the Face of the Revolution ladder match at this Sunday’s Revolution pay-per-view. The winner of the match will become the number one contender to the TNT Championship.
A new double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is out with a wider variety of news stories than any issue we’ve done in a long time.
From a perspective among leading sports doctors about opening up, to Becky Lynch’s pregnancy and what the plans for her that won’t happen were scheduled to be, to Money in the Bank coverage, Roman Reigns risk factors, New Japan talks its future, AEW profitability, Oliver Luck’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon and Georges St-Pierre in the Hall of Fame, it’s all covered here.
The issue covers in detail:
Becky Lynch’s pregnancy, her comments on it, timing, what were the booking plans for her and how Money in the Bank changed, a look back at how Lynch got over when she wasn’t supposed to and the time frame where Lynch became the chosen one, while at the same time the crowd was mad, not realizing any of this.
Ronaldo Jacare Souza’s positive test for COVID, UFC handling the situation, and the key components of the story that have not been covered well elsewhere.
How UFC didn’t abide by its own policies, what UFC did learn, and what fighters and reporters signed to get in the door to the show.
Facts of the Coronavirus and on combat sports from three doctors who have extensive experience with combat sports.
Harold Meij talking about New Japan Pro Wrestling, why it made the choices it did not to turn, as well as its plans when it can run and the stages it will go through, why the company has been able to remain solvent while not running live events.
Complete coverage of UFC 249 and WWE Money in the Bank, including match-by-match coverage and poll results on both shows.
Behind the scenes notes on both shows, including UFC business, and interest level in WWE.
The arrest of Alberto Rodriguez, the former Alberto Del Rio, for sexual assault, the harrowing description of what happened and more.
Roman Reigns sitting it out including what he said and his risk factors.
Updated plans for SummerSlam and where Vince is coming from, plans for the next Takeover, WWE book on best sellers list, The softening of the brand split, update on Rey Mysterio, Rachael Ellering release info, NBA star says he’s going to WWE, Undertaker documentary notes, the story of how two different planned WrestleMania main events in 2011 fell through, Sting update, Canadian TV ratings, One of the best college wrestlers mentions going into pro wrestling, Raw DVR numbers, WWE market value and the most-watched shows on the WWE Network.
Smackdown’s renewal and what it means.
Feature on the career of Georges St-Pierre and his records and his legacy, as he gets inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Oliver Luck lawsuit against Vince McMahon, including details of his contract, Vince’s attempts and arguments to get out of paying him on that contract and arguments both sides are making.
AEW’s Double or Nothing plans as well as the return of some of the company’s biggest stars.
AEW’s profitability in April, the cost of production and cost savings, Mike Tyson, the casino ladder match and more.
May 13 UFC show.
Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.
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.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
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In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
TNT will be airing a one hour Countdown to Double or Nothing II special on 5/22 at 10 p.m.
Weigh-ins for tomorrow night’s UFC show on ESPN+ which starts at 6 p.m. eastern:
Don’Tale Mayes (241) vs. Rodrigo Nascimento (255)
Mara Romero Borella (125.5) vs. Cortney Casey (126
Darren Elkins (146) vs. Nate Landwehr (146)
Giga Chikadze (145.5) vs. Irwin Rivera (not weighed in yet)
Anthony Hernandez (185.5) vs. Kevin Holland (182.5)
Miguel Baeza (170.5) vs. Matt Brown (171)
Marlon Vera (145.5) vs. Song Yadong (145.5)
Eryk Anders (186) vs. Krzysztof Jotko (185.5)
Edson Barboza (145.5) vs. Dan Ige (146)
Claudia Gadelha (115.5) vs. Angela Hill (115)
Alistair Overeem (253.5) vs. Walt Harris (264.5)
The main storyline for the show is Harris fighting for the first time since the murder of his stepdaughter. He is dedicating the fight to her so it will be a very emotional main event and probably some strong video packages that will air on Sports Center and in other places.
Urijah Faber weighed in, for the possibility he would face Marlon Vera, if Yadong’s visa issues aren’t settled. Faber weighed 153.5. So if he fights, Vera will have to move up a weight class.
Talk is Jericho features an interview with Martha Hart preceding Tuesday’s airing of the Vice special on Owen Hart. The interview can be found here. I have a feeling this coming week will feature a lot of talk of Owen Hart.
This week’s MLW TV show at 10 p.m. tomorrow night on Bein Sports will be built around L.A. Park, airing old matches with both Sabu and Shocker.
WWE
Scheduled for Smackdown tonight is an appearance by Charlotte Flair, the beginning of the IC title tournament and Miz TV with Otis.
The second part of the Undertaker documentary series will air Sunday night on the WWE Network.
More on the lawsuit by Oliver Luck on Vince McMahon can be found here and here.
FS1 will be airing the documentary on Florida Championship Wrestling that had previously aired on the WWE Network on 5/26 at 10 p.m. as the lead-in for WWE Backstage that week.
UFC
From Ronaldo Jacare Souza: “I was very sad to not be able to fight at UFC 249, but I want you to know that as soon as I’m medically cleared, I hope to reschedule my fight with Uriah Hall so that I can put on the show that everyone expects. I thank my corners for the partnership, my opponent for the words of support and the UFC for all the care. Thank you all for the kind messages I have received in the last few days. The upcoming weeks I will be secluded with my family and coaches and focused on our health so I can be back soon.”
Legacy Fighting, which airs on UFC Fight Pass, announced a new Top 10 Knockouts of its UFC Fight Pass era special that was released this week.
The former Revival will be on tomorrow’s episode of Talk is Jericho.
Chris Jericho confirmed the news on his Twitter this afternoon. This will be the first interview the team has given since their release from WWE on April 10. Since their release, they have trademarked the name “The Revolt” and are now going by the names Cash Wheeler (Dash) and Dax Hardwood (Dawson).
The team were put together during their run in NXT and won the brand’s Tag Team titles twice. They were called up to the main roster, where they won the Raw Tag Team titles twice and the SmackDown Tag Team titles once. The had been on the SmackDown roster as recently as February, but had stopped being used prior to the end of their contracts.
The Revolt do not have a no-compete clause in their release, so they are free to sign with anyone at the moment. The Young Bucks have teased in recent weeks the usage of the initials “FTR”. The Revolt have been using those initials since their release, with the letters standing for “Fear the Revolt”.
The life and times of Howard Finkel in the most details article on his life and wrestling career, as well as coverage of one of the biggest news weeks in the history of the industry highlight the current issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We go through WWE financials to look at cash on hand, cash available, the decision to continue tapings and the schedule which has since changed, why they made the call, the cuts, the Florida decision to make WWE an essential service, why, how the Governor’s explanation makes no sense at all, what WWE did that make no sense health wise, reactions from other companies in the industry, the story behind the WWE’s first Coronavirus positive and how the story the talent got and the public got were different. We also look at the stories behind the cuts, looking at who different companies may or may not want, some NXT releases, sports owners look at WWE decisions, the monthly cost savings of talent cuts, and the first Corona virus death in pro wrestling.
In our story on Howard Finkel, we trace his career from his first connection with the McMahons in 1977, his first MSG ring announcing date, his late 70s ring announcing, his attempts to be a TV announcer, the decisions to take him off television, WWE doing national, his being the butt of Vince McMahon’s jokes, his taking a blood test for Hulk Hogan, many in the business talk about Finkel, as well as angles he worked.
The new issue also covers:
AEW and UFC plans going forward.
Folding of the XFL, how it was handled, who did and didn’t know, biggest creditors and why the decision to shut down was likely made.
Departure of the Revival and their new names, Bill Goldberg gives a WrestleMania blow-by-blow and talks Roman Reigns, DVR viewership of Raw, Ronda Rousey compares WWE to UFC, compares methods of pay, talks unionization, Rousey’s last UFC contract terms, wrestlers respond to Rousey saying wrestling was fake, Lawler controversy, Canadian ratings, cruiserweight title tournament, UFC star talks going to WWE full-time in a few years, Dwayne Johnson talks pro wrestling, and most-watched shows on the WWE Network.
An explanation as to why UFC was so desperate to get back up and running.
The meeting between the Japanese government and many of the major business players and top stars in Japanese wrestling. We look at who presided over it which explains why it happened, the talks on COVID-19, ability to return, plans to return and more.
The AEW vs. NXT battle and go through different demos, and how the viewers reacted to the different key matches.
Update on the matches scheduled for the Money in the Bank show.
Kevin Sullivan responding to Dark Side of the Ring, alleging Nancy stabbed him, as well as a planned WCW angle and how Chris Benoit came to ECW and then WCW.
Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.
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.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
WWE posted on their social media just prior to tonight’s NXT: “Ahead of tonight’s episode of #WWENXT, officials have learned of a possible incident involving @FinnBalor inside the @WWENXT locker room. This is a developing story, more information will be provided when available.”
Mike Chioda, who had been employed by WWE for 35 years prior to his release last week, commented on his firing on Twitter: “Want To Say Thanks To the WWE & To All My AMAZING WWE FANS & Universe! 35yrs & 31yrs Refereeing Working for the WWE has been a FANTASTIC RUN!! I Am So PROUD to have Worked with So Many ICONS & AMAZING TALENT IN THIS INDUSTRY!! I THANK YOU ALL!! 1Luv!”
Fox Sports 1 ratings had Becky’s Lynch’s five most favorable moments (9:00 pm) drawing 299,000 viewers, while the WWE 24 documentary on Ronda Rousey (8:00 pm) drew 214,000 viewers. The WWE 24 special on Becky Lynch and WWE Backstage did not chart the top 150 most watched cable shows for the night.
Britt Baker appeared on today’s episode of Talk is Jericho. Baker spoke about people saying she stole her “role model” gimmick from Bayley (via Post Wrestling): “While we’re on the topic of that, no, we did not steal the ‘Role Model’ from Bayley because that’s like a daily thing and I know we’ve talked about it too, how the inspiration came from you, from Chris Jericho for the ‘Role Model’ gimmick. I’m not… I don’t wanna say I don’t know totally what’s going on with RAW and SmackDown because I try to stay in touch with it but at the same time, I’m a dentist and a professional wrestler. I don’t know every single storyline or [what’s] going on each week. So, it wasn’t until I actually said the words ‘Role Model’ on TV and then I got the Bayley army coming at me. ‘You’re stealing her gimmick’ [like] I even knew she was calling herself that too. Granted, totally different uses of the words, totally different gimmicks as we call it. But I just kinda wanted to set the record straight that no, we didn’t steal that from anybody. Well I stole it from you [Chris Jericho], not from her.”
Billy Caputo, a former referee for the WWE and a former NYSAC official, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 72.
Darby Allin was interviewed by Sports Illustrated ahead of his TNT Championship tournament first round match against Sammy Guevara airing on Dynamite tonight.
Pro Wrestling NOAH announced that they have canceled all of their events for May.
The BBC has a story of luchadores sewing face masks during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Gia Miller, a 22 year old pro wrestler in the Alabama area, made her debut as an Impact interviewer last night.
Epico and Primo will make their first appearances post-WWE for a scheduled Legends of the Ring convention on October 3 in South Iselin, New Jersey. They will be appearing as The Colons as well as under their former Los Matadores personas.
PFL CEO Pete Murray told Fansided that the organization has made roster cuts but is keeping “the significant majority, over two-thirds” of their fighters. Murray said about the cuts: “We haven’t announced those fighters, so we’re not at liberty to share all those details. But the Coronavirus had an impact on businesses in all industries including sports and we’ve had to make some difficult decisions during a very difficult time.”
Brett Okamoto of ESPN is reporting that the PFL is paying a $1,000 a month stipend to athletes.
In his first interview since leaving WWE, the former Dean Ambrose opened up about the frustrations he had with the company’s creative process.
Moxley appeared on today’s episode of Talk is Jericho and discussed his decision to depart WWE when his contract expired in April. Here are some notes from the podcast:
– Moxley said he’s never been happier and is in the absolute apex of life. He said it feels like the weight of the world has been lifted off of his shoulders. He has nothing but gratitude for WWE. He grew up there and WWE changed his life.
He got to live his dream and do so many amazing things in the ring. Moxley said getting the opportunity to be part of the Make-A-Wish program was a blessing. He also met his wife in the company.
– July 2018 (which was during the time he was out injured after tearing his triceps) was when Moxley pretty much knew that he was going to leave WWE.
– Moxley mentioned a time when he was a major babyface on SmackDown and was given a backstage promo by a writer. It was Moxley describing the things he did on his way to the arena that day, but they weren’t things that a cool or relatable person would do. Moxley said they weren’t things someone you would root for would do, they were things an idiot would do.
Moxley wanted the promo changed, but Vince McMahon re-did it and put all of that stuff back in. When he went to talk to Vince about it, Moxley said Vince told him that it was “such good sh*t” and was what makes people like Moxley and connect with him. Moxley said he’s had a million conversations with Vince that were exactly like this.
– Moxley then told two stories. The first was the day he physically looked at the calendar and started counting down the days he had left in WWE. The second was the day he absolutely knew he was gone and almost walked out.
The first story was a Raw in Los Angeles where the thread throughout the show was Seth Rollins challenging Moxley to come out to the ring to fight him. Moxley had several promos on the show that he didn’t think made sense or told a tangible story. One promo was insulting the audience in Los Angeles and calling them smelly and disgusting.
Another promo included a line about Roman Reigns’ leukemia that Moxley called distasteful. Moxley said Vince explained it in an innocuous way and gave him the “Vince Jedi mind trick.” Moxley noted that it was his fault for being convinced, but as soon as the line left his mouth he couldn’t believe he said it.
Moxley described the day of the show in Los Angeles. He called it exhausting, noting that he didn’t think they accomplished anything. He thought they killed his angle with Rollins if it wasn’t dead already.
– The day Moxley knew for sure he was leaving was a Raw in Milwaukee where he took part in a segment where a doctor gave him shots to inoculate him from the fans. Moxley questioned why he was always doing this “goofy crap.”
Vince talked to Moxley about the segment and wanted to make sure he knew it wasn’t comedy. Vince said it was such good stuff, so well written, and was going to get Moxley a ton of heat. Moxley said he had the feeling it was the last time he was going to tell Vince that — if this is what he wants on his show — Moxley is the best man for the job and would give his best effort to make it good.
Moxley said there was another line about Reigns’ leukemia in this segment. Vince tried to talk him into saying it a little bit, but Moxley refused to do so. Vince said that was fine if Moxley was uncomfortable with it. Moxley called it “the worst line” and wouldn’t say it on the podcast because of how bad it was. Moxley called it the type of thing where someone would’ve had to have been fired and WWE could’ve lost sponsors if it made air.
– Moxley said it’s like WWE takes wrestling away from you. He called wrestling his first love, and now it feels like he has it back. Promos were his favorite part of wrestling, but they ended up becoming his least favorite part.
– When Moxley thought of ideas for his return after injury, he was excited to come back to wrestling but wasn’t excited to come back to WWE. He pictured himself in CZW or Japan — anywhere but WWE.
– Whether AEW existed or not, Moxley was still going to leave WWE. He said he still would have left if there were no other promotions or wrestlers in the world. He would have started his own school and trained his own opponents if he had to.
– WWE kept saying a new contract was coming, and Moxley was relishing the opportunity to tell them he wasn’t interested. When the contract offer did come, Moxley didn’t look at it.
– Moxley didn’t think WWE would keep him on TV after he told them he was leaving when his contract was up. When he met with Vince about leaving, Vince said he wished Moxley would have told him about the problems he had with creative. Moxley said he tried to be as nice as possible and show his gratitude but also got everything off of his chest.
– Moxley didn’t have a problem taking a bump for Nia Jax, but he thought it was WWE trying to bury him on the way out.
– Moxley wants to prove that WWE’s creative sucks, doesn’t work, and is absolutely terrible. He hopes a byproduct of AEW will be that WWE re-evaluates their creative process.
– In AEW, Moxley’s goal is to finally be the best version of himself that he can be. He wants to have the creative freedom to come up with an idea and just do it.
– Moxley worked with retired wrestler “Sick” Nick Mondo, who is now a filmmaker, on the hype video that he released when his contract was up.
Moxley’s appearance on Talk is Jericho is available to listen to below:
