Tag: Wrestling Observer Radio

VIDEO: There’s still a WWE brand split, apparently

Posted on by F4W Staff

Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez discussed the WWE Draft on Wrestling Observer Radio.

Meltzer did not seem enthused when it was announced by Triple H on Friday that the draft would begin in a few weeks.

“Isn’t that the silliest thing in the world when The Usos and Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn are on every show every week?” Meltzer asked.

“Everybody just goes show to show,” Alvarez added. “But [Triple H] says now we have a draft where he says everybody is eligible.”

Alvarez assumed that we may see some people from NXT being called up, but asked what the point was considering the brand split had largely been forgotten since Triple H came to power last year, with most wrestlers appearing on both Raw and SmackDown whenever possible. Alvarez argued that was for the better.

“There’s no indication that life is for the better with the draft,” Alvarez said. If anything, there’s evidence that life is better without a draft. “

Meltzer added that while the draft shows usually did ratings, those ratings have been down in recent weeks as people have learned that it ultimately doesn’t matter what show a person’s on.

There’s still a brand split, apparently: Wrestling Observer Radio

Posted on by F4W Staff

Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez discussed the WWE Draft on Wrestling Observer Radio.

Meltzer did not seem enthused when it was announced by Triple H on Friday that the draft would begin in a few weeks.

“Isn’t that the silliest thing in the world when The Usos and Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn are on every show every week?” Meltzer asked.

“Everybody just goes show to show,” Alvarez added. “But [Triple H] says now we have a draft where he says everybody is eligible.”

Alvarez assumed that we may see some people from NXT being called up, but asked what the point was considering the brand split had largely been forgotten since Triple H came to power last year, with most wrestlers appearing on both Raw and SmackDown whenever possible. Alvarez argued that was for the better.

“There’s no indication that life is for the better with the draft,” Alvarez said. If anything, there’s evidence that life is better without a draft. “

Meltzer added that while the draft shows usually did ratings, those ratings have been down in recent weeks as people have learned that it ultimately doesn’t matter what show a person’s on.

VIDEO: WWE’s new merger was best for Vince McMahon

Posted on by F4W Staff

Dave Meltzer and Garrett Gonzales talked about who benefits the most out of the new WWE merger, as well as WWE’s and UFC’s similarities on Wrestling Observer Radio.

On Friday afternoon’s show, Gonzales asked Meltzer if the WWE merger with UFC was the best thing for the shareholders.

“I think the answer is we don’t know what the other bids are,” Meltzer said. “It was the best thing for Vince McMahon. He’s back in power, he’s not going to be replaced unless he wants to. And he’s going to be much richer…he now has 19 percent of UFC, which is even more profitable than WWE. And his company and UFC are going to be more profitable because they’re going to laying people off and cutting expenses.”

Meltzer highlighted that the WWE and UFC have many similarities, just in different realms, noting they underpay talent and are similar in how they earn their revenue. He also mentioned the Saudi Arabia deal, mentioning that it could open the door for UFC to negotiate with the country, but they also have a deal with Abu Dhabi that might prevent a deal from taking place.

Wrestling Observer Radio: WWE/UFC merger, WrestleMania 39 fallout

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back for a new Wrestling Observer Radio going over all the news in the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

We discuss the following:

  • Dave’s story on the WWE acquisition and merger with UFC under Endeavor
  • WWE’s history with UFC
  • Reaction to WrestleMania 39 night two
  • Paul Heyman’s quote about Cody Rhodes being a bigger star after losing
  • Sponsorship revenue possibly being more than the gate soon
  • Tony Khan’s big bet for Wembley Stadium
  • AEW hiring Adam Hopkins
  • Kota Ibushi and AEW
  • AEW Dynamite ratings
  • Predictions for the UFC 287 main event

The full video is available for video subscribers at https://video.f4wonline.com/.

Click Here to Listen

Make no mistake about it, Vince McMahon is back in charge of WWE: Wrestling Observer Radio

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Vince McMahon was fully in charge of Raw on Monday.

Dave Meltzer confirmed a PWInsider report from Monday night saying that Vince McMahon was in charge of much of Raw on Monday.

“He was running TV tonight,” Meltzer said. “He’s back. It’s what it was. It will be what it was before. And if people think that was bad, it will be bad. And that’s just the way it is.”

Meltzer said that the show was changed when McMahon arrived and also while the show was going on.

“Levesque will be head of creative and will be doing the busywork and all that stuff. Vince is going to have the final say in everything.”

The PWInsider report said that Triple H initially was the person in the headset during Raw, but as time went on, McMahon became more of the point person in charge of running the show. PWInsider also said there was a “huge negative shift in morale” as talent realized that things “were exactly where they were before” prior to Triple H being named chief content officer in July of last year when McMahon initially resigned from the company.

In an interview with CNBC on Sunday, McMahon said that he will remain involved in WWE creative “at a higher level”, but not “in the weeds” as he had been in the past.

VIDEO: Dave Meltzer talks the finish of WrestleMania 39 Sunday

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Dave Meltzer discussed Cody Rhodes’ shock loss at WrestleMania 39.

Meltzer said it was an exciting match, but as soon as it ended it reminded him of another recent match, where Drew McIntyre lost to Roman Reigns with pretty much the same finish.

“It’s like a rerun,” Meltzer said. “You knew if that title changed hands it would be a pop you could rarely duplicate.”

With Reigns defeating Rhodes, for the first time in a long while there’s no clear future opponents for Reigns, who is now entering his third year as champion.

“With Drew, you knew there was pretty much Dwayne and there was Cody waiting for him. With Sami, you know Cody was waiting for him. With Cody, it’s like, who’s waiting for him.”

Meltzer felt that based on the story, Rhodes eventually has to be champion, but now the question is if Rhodes’ time to become champion is peaking.

“You also have the Lex Luger. You miss your peak, and then it never happens. I think Cody should win that title by the way they told that story. But did they miss the peak?” 

Cody lost: Wrestling Observer Radio

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Dave Meltzer discussed Cody Rhodes’ shock loss at WrestleMania 39.

Meltzer said it was an exciting match, but as soon as it ended it reminded him of another recent match, where Drew McIntyre lost to Roman Reigns with pretty much the same finish.

“It’s like a rerun,” Meltzer said. “You knew if that title changed hands it would be a pop you could rarely duplicate.”

With Reigns defeating Rhodes, for the first time in a long while there’s no clear future opponents for Reigns, who is now entering his third year as champion.

“With Drew, you knew there was pretty much Dwayne and there was Cody waiting for him. With Sami, you know Cody was waiting for him. With Cody, it’s like, who’s waiting for him.”

Meltzer felt that based on the story, Rhodes eventually has to be champion, but now the question is if Rhodes’ time to become champion is peaking.

“You also have the Lex Luger. You miss your peak, and then it never happens. I think Cody should win that title by the way they told that story. But did they miss the peak?” 

VIDEO: Bryan Alvarez & Dave Meltzer discuss Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn’s WrestleMania moment

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Sami Zayn came out of WrestleMania Saturday looking like a star.

Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer discussed Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens’ win at WrestleMania 39 Saturday night. Alvarez told a story about how he was once in a car with Zayn back around 2006 and he looked like he could barely move.

“He looked like he was moving close to retirement,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez pointed out that even back then, however, whenever people talked about the then El Generico, they always put him over as someone that stole the show.

“That was the reputation he had. Every Generico match is always the best match on the show,” Alvarez said.

Metlzer said that Zayn, who with Owens won the Undisputed Tag Team titles, was the star of the show at WrestleMania Saturday.

“He was the real main eventer, the key to everything,” he said.

He also thought that it wasn’t the end between Zayn/Owens and The Usos, and it would be interesting to see where it goes from here.

VIDEO: Bryan Alvarez & Dave Meltzer discuss Adam Cole’s in-ring return

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer discussed Adam Cole’s in-ring return on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite.

Cole won his match against the Jericho Appreciation Society’s Daniel Garcia, defeating him with the Panama Sunrise. After the match, Chris Jericho came to the ring and helped Garcia, but not before slowly turning around and staring down Cole.

“So it looks like Adam Cole and Jericho for the pay-per-view,” Meltzer said, referring to Double or Nothing in May. “The thing with Adam Cole right now is that he needs to be a babyface, but I think he’s more comfortable as a heel.”

“Well, it ain’t his time to be a heel now,” Alvarez said. “They need a babyface.”

Meltzer said that the first week of Cole’s return doesn’t mean much in terms of lasting appeal as a babyface, as the show was built around his return. But Meltzer wondered how he would do in several weeks’ time andif the cheers would sustain.Meltzer also said that Jericho was a “good stepping stone” for Cole.

VIDEO: Dave Meltzer & Bryan Alvarez discuss Rey Mysterio/Dominik angle on WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer discussed the angle that finally set up Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio at WrestleMania 39.

On Friday’s SmackDown, Dominik Mysterio berated his mother at ringside after Rey walked away from another confrontation. After Dominik told his mother to shut up, Rey returned to ringside and slapped Dominik, finally accepting Dominik’s challenge for WrestleMania. Both Alvarez and Meltzer thought it was a well done angle.

“It worked out great,” Alvarez said. “I liked the idea of the Hall of Fame angle with Konnan because they’ve never done that at a Hall of Fame before. It would be a first time thing and a perfect scenario to do it.”

Meltzer said this was better because it is likely WWE doesn’t want Konnan to be in a high profile situation, given the complicated political situation between AAA and AEW, with Konnan recently being in a hype video for Vikingo ahead of his match against Kenny Omega on last week’s Dynamite.

“As far as Rey’s motivation for finally giving in, you know, when he’s really mouthing off to mom, that’s the one,” Meltzer said.

Rey Mysterio finally beat up Dominik: Wrestling Observer Radio

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer discussed the angle that finally set up Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio at WrestleMania 39.

On Friday’s SmackDown, Dominik Mysterio berated his mother at ringside after Rey walked away from another confrontation. After Dominik told his mother to shut up, Rey returned to ringside and slapped Dominik, finally accepting Dominik’s challenge for WrestleMania. Both Alvarez and Meltzer thought it was a well done angle.

“It worked out great,” Alvarez said. “I liked the idea of the Hall of Fame angle with Konnan because they’ve never done that at a Hall of Fame before. It would be a first time thing and a perfect scenario to do it.”

Meltzer said this was better because it is likely WWE doesn’t want Konnan to be in a high profile situation, given the complicated political situation between AAA and AEW, with Konnan recently being in a hype video for Vikingo ahead of his match against Kenny Omega on last week’s Dynamite.

“As far as Rey’s motivation for finally giving in, you know, when he’s really mouthing off to mom, that’s the one,” Meltzer said.

VIDEO: Dave Meltzer discusses the latest on Bray Wyatt, Josh Alexander

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Dave Meltzer and Garrett Gonzales discussed the latest on Bray Wyatt and Josh Alexander on Wrestling Observer Radio.

Gonzales noted that there is no update on Wyatt, who is out of action due to a medical issue. Bobby Lashley stated on social media despite Wyatt’s absence, he will still compete at WrestleMania.

“If they knew he was on the show, they could at least promote it, even if he’s not there,” Meltzer said. “From what I understand he’s not in Vegas (home to Friday’s SmackDown taping) and the next to last SmackDown is tonight.”

Meltzer also brought up Josh Alexander, who announced on social media Friday he would have to pull out of future dates and vacate the Impact World Championship as he underwent surgery to repair a torn triceps on Friday. Meltzer put over the run he had while champion.

“Because of the nature of Impact, because of so much content with WWE and so much product with AEW, Impact falls by the wayside,” Meltzer said. “But Josh Alexander has done a tremendous job in the ring as Impact Champion.”

Wrestling Observer Radio: Latest on WrestleMania, AEW business

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back for a new Wrestling Observer Radio going over all the news in the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 

We discuss the following:

  • AEW’s All Access show and how they’ve done a good job of creating intrigue for the first episode
  • The promotion of Omega and Vikingo
  • The latest on Bray Wyatt
  • Possible acts returning post-WrestleMania
  • What’s going on with Brock Lesnar?
  • The future of Bill Goldberg
  • Conor McGregor and USADA
  • Dana White’s interest in promoting boxing
  • The CM Punk situation
  • Vince McMahon’s payback to WWE

The full video is available for video subscribers at https://video.f4wonline.com/.

Click Here to Listen

VIDEO: Dave Meltzer talks Omega/Vikingo match on AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Dave Meltzer had nothing but praise for the El Hijo del Vikingo/Kenny Omega match that took place on Dynamite.

Thursday morning’s Wrestling Observer Radio had Meltzer talking about Wednesday’s main event, saying it was meant as a showcase for Vikingo, and it succeeded in that regard.

“Kenny Omega went in there with the idea that he was going to go out there and make a superstar in one match and my God, did he do everything in his power to do so,” Meltzer said.

Meltzer pointed out that Omega’s selling of his abdomen where he had surgery was top notch. He also said that he had gotten texts from people who don’t normally text him about wrestling matches praising the match.

“This was like Rey Mysterio’s debut in WCW,” Meltzer said. “Actually, it was more impressive than Mysterio’s debut in WCW.”

Meltzer thought that since Omega won Wednesday’s match, there could be another match in the future, possibly in AAA, for the AAA Mega Championship.

Kenny Omega vs. Vikingo is happening: Wrestling Observer Radio

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Dave Meltzer discussed the new match announced for Wednesday’s Dynamite.

On Sunday morning’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer said that the match between Kenny Omega and El Hijo del Vikingo should connect well with the live crowd, but may struggle in the ratings.

“He’s a harcore wrestling fan’s name who follows lucha libre which is not enough people to sway ratings,” Meltzer said. “As far as a match that will be a great match on television on Wednesday night and make for a great show, it will probably be that.”

Providing examples such as Bandido and Kommander, Meltzer said that while unknown guys can get over to the live crowd, it will take time before the other metrics start to grow.

“These guys, they get over to the crowd when they come in and do this stuff,” Meltzer said. “But like everything else, it takes a while to build to be a player in the eyes of people who are casual viewers.”

Meltzer said that the match being added to Dynamite showed that despite recent troubles in the relationship, AAA and AEW are still willing to work with one another.

“After what happened in December with the FTR thing, the relations with AAA and with AEW, which were frayed, very much so at one point, are at least to work together, and I know 100% that AAA really wanted this match to headline a Triplemania, the logical thing to say that as show of good faith, you can have a rematch first.”