Tag: Wrestling Observer Radio

Wrestling Observer Radio: Evan Husney talks season four of Dark Side of the Ring

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back for a brand new Wrestling Observer Radio. Co-creator and executive producer of Dark Side of the Ring, Evan Husney joined us on the show.

We talked to Evan about the new season of the show, including:

  • The reception to the first episode on Chris Candido and Tammy Sytch
  • When Dave first met Chris and Tammy
  • If they were missing that ‘tentpole’ episode
  • If they’d ever do a Paul Heyman/ECW episode
  • The Magnum TA episode
  • The Graham Family and why it’s an important episode
  • What Evan believes is their greatest work

Then Dave and I closed the show and talked about Superstar Billy Graham’s funeral, the AEW Dynamite rating, CM Punk and Collision, Ted DiBiase, and the contract status of Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks. 

The full video is available for free below:

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WOR Video: The WWE brand split is already dead

Posted on by Bryan Rose

It only took a few weeks, but WWE got tired of having to follow their brand split. Again.

On Monday’s Raw, SmackDown’s AJ Styles appeared and noted he was a SmackDown guy, but still wanted to come to Raw to give praise to Seth Rollins, who he faced at Night of Champions this past Saturday. After Judgement Day interrupted the promo, Adam Pearce made a tag match backstage, admitting this flew in the face of the idea of separate brands. Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer talked about the storyline on Wrestling Observer Radio Tuesday morning.

“You knew it was going to happen,” Meltzer said. “I mean, Heyman’s been on the show a couple of times.”

Meltzer wondered if AEW could do better, with rumors being that Dynamite and Collision could see different rosters.

“If they do it, they are going to do it better, because WWE can not do it worse,” Alvarez said. “People are just showing up wherever they want.”

When the question comes up as to why WWE seems to do this every single time they get serious about the brand split, it ends up being the same reason: booking strict rules in wrestling is hard.

WOR Video: Anarchy in the Arena lived up to it’s name

Posted on by F4W Staff

Anarchy in the Arena lived up to its name.

The main event of AEW Double or Nothing saw Blackpool Combat Club defeat The Elite in a wild brawl filled with weapons. The first part of the match had a band perform “Wild Thing” three times, ending when the Young Bucks laid out the singer with a superkick.

“At first I thought just play the song through the entire match. But it did get to the point where I thought, okay, you know what we’ve heard the song enough…they timed it perfectly,” Alvarez said.

Some of the key spots towards the end had Matt Jackson hitting a superkick with a firecracker coming off his foot, then getting atomic dropped into thumbtacks, covering his exposed foot after members of the BCC removed his shoe. The big swerve went down when Konosuke Takeshita attacked Kenny Omega as he cornered Don Callis, who attempted to interfere in the match, allowing Wheeler Yuta to pin Omega.

After the show went off the air, Omega told the crowd that he knew a couple of guys outside of AEW who could help even the odds.

“Everybody assumed Okada and Kota Ibushi,” Alvarez said.

Both Meltzer and Alvarez agreed that the final two matches helped make the event a better show.

WOR Video: The WWE Night of Champions build between Cody and Brock

Posted on by F4W Staff

Cody Rhodes is heading into Night of Champions with “a broken arm”.

Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer discussed the show-long storyline on Raw on Wrestling Observer Radio. Meltzer immediately pointed out that even if Cody Rhodes refused medical attention so that he could go to Night of Champions, wouldn’t he need to be cleared anyway before the match?

“There’s some holes here in this story. They are essentially trying to create Hell in a Cell last year,” Alvarez said. Alvarez also pointed out that if Rhodes really did break his arm, he would need a long period of time off to sell the injury, as broken arms don’t heal overnight.

Later, Alvarez brought up that there would have been “a great deal of intrigue” if Rhodes had won the title at WrestleMania. Meltzer argued that while Rhodes as champion may have been good for Night of Champions, it is possible WWE has a story that could end up being even better.

“That doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t have an idea to do something that will be even better…until it plays out, I don’t want to say they are wrong.”

Wrestling Observer Radio: Konnan joins to discuss all the wrestling news

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back for a brand new Wrestling Observer Radio. Konnan joined us on the show.

We talked about a lot of the latest news in professional wrestling including:

  • All the rumors about AEW’s next TV rights deal
  • How streaming may or may not play into it
  • Tony Khan’s increased workload
  • Why Sami Zayn is booked for the next show in Saudi Arabia
  • Konnan’s thoughts on Bad Bunny and WWE Backlash
  • Some new Triple A talent that may be coming on the scene
  • Kenny Omega and El Hijo del Vikingo in Mexico
  • Canelo Alvarez and the business for Tank Davis Vs. Ryan Garcia
  • When Konnan went to WCW in 1996
  • Why The Acclaimed aren’t as hot

You can check out Konnan’s podcast K100 w/Konnan & Disco on Apple Podcasts. 

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

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WOR Video: AEW took a game with All In, and it paid off

Posted on by F4W Staff

AEW’s All In success story was discussed on Friday’s Wrestling Observer Radio.

When asked about current numbers, Dave Meltzer on Friday estimated the show at around 60,000 tickets sold, and perhaps as high as 65,000. That puts All In next to some of the biggest drawing shows in pro wrestling history.

“[It is] ahead of [SummerSlam 1992], it’s ahead of WrestleMania 3, ahead of every other WrestleMania except for Dallas, it’s an incredible story,” Meltzer said.

“You go back to the start…this is the movie,” Meltzer added, reflecting on AEW’s story. “Because it’s not all positive. The idea of what The Young Bucks and Cody [Rhodes] started, then the meeting with Tony Khan, and the building of this company, and getting to this date with Cody gone and all of the stuff that happened in the last year, it’s an incredible story.”

The most impressive thing, Meltzer and Garrett Gonzales noted, was how AEW was able to get such a high number despite not advertising one person or match for the show.

“The idea they booked Wembley in and of itself made it a draw,” Meltzer said. He pointed out that while WrestleMania is able to draw in and of itself due to name value, All In isn’t at that level.

But while AEW All In of itself is a success, it doesn’t mean that it’s a start of a turnaround for AEW, which has experienced soft ratings and ticket sales domestically in recent weeks.

“It is gigantic. It is historical and all that. It doesn’t mean this is a turnaround, or it’s all smooth sailing. If they get a great television deal, then it’s all smooth sailing,” Meltzer said.

Wrestling Observer Radio: All In ticket sales, WWE Q1 numbers

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:

  • WWE’s tournament plans for the new RAW title
  • Drew McIntyre’s situation
  • All In ticket sales so far
  • The future of Rampage, Dark, and Dark Elevation
  • The AEW roster split for Wednesday and Saturday
  • The Will Washington hiring
  • WWE Q1 numbers
  • WWE Backlash
  • AEW ratings
  • Zane Bresloff and Sonny Vaccaro

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

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WOR Video: The chaos is back in WWE

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Things are chaotic in WWE, and a lot of it has to do with one person’s return.

Meltzer pointed out that in Bianca Belair’s promo on Friday’s SmackDown, she referred to herself as the SmackDown Women’s Champion. Later in the show, however, Rhea Ripley was constantly referred to as the SmackDown Women’s Champion.

“It’s very clear that again, people are being told different things that change all the time…there’s a lot of chaos right now,” Meltzer said.

Alvarez brought up that we could see a belt exchange between Ripley and Belair, something that’s been done before to controversy.

“I don’t understand why we just can’t rename these Women’s titles so that every year we don’t have to do a belt swap, which is so hokey,” Alvarez said.

Meltzer said at the end of the day, it’s wrestling and it’s inherently hokey. Alvarez argued that it didn’t have to be that way.

“With Vince McMahon, it has to be. There’s no other way…WWE is written for Vince McMahon, it’s going to be hokey. It’s just how it is,” Meltzer said.

WOR Video: Recapping the first night of the WWE Draft

Posted on by F4W Staff

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

Alvarez began by saying some of the top stories from the first night of the draft, which took place on Friday’s SmackDown, include Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns being put on different shows, none of the tag teams so far have been split up, and that with Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair going to SmackDown, they may have to do another title transfer if SmackDown Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley is drafted to Raw.

“Boy did that go great the first time around,” Alvarez said.

Meltzer noted that with Intercontinental Champion Gunther going to Raw, we could be seeing United States Champion Austin Theory going to SmackDown. With the Usos’ loss on Friday, it is possible that they could be drafted to Raw on Monday, keeping them away from Reigns on SmackDown.

Meltzer also talked about the new NXT call-ups, saying while JD McDonagh may not get a strong push due to Vince McMahon, Von Wagner is something that may get a lot of chances due to his size.

“He’s going to need to show a lot more, or…I don’t know. I don’t know that he’s ready,” Meltzer said.

The key people on Raw, who will get the new World Heavyweight Championship, seem to be Cody Rhodes, Gunther, and Drew McIntyre. Meltzer suggested McIntyre could be a future feud for Rhodes, as Brock Lesnar is likely to be a one-time match.

“Lesnar’s just going to be this pay-per-view,” Meltzer said.

Two notable names not in the draft are Bray Wyatt and Alexa Bliss. The latter’s exemption from the draft may be a sign the two are still set to be connected with one another whenver Wyatt returns.

The first night of the 2023 WWE Draft: Wrestling Observer Radio

Posted on by F4W Staff

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

Alvarez began by saying some of the top stories from the first night of the draft include Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns being put on different shows, none of the tag teams so far have been split up, and that with Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair going to SmackDown, they may have to do another title transfer if SmackDown Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley is drafted to Raw.

“Boy did that go great the first time around,” Alvarez said.

Meltzer noted that with Intercontinental Champion Gunther going to Raw, we could be seeing United States Champion Austin Theory going to SmackDown. With the Usos’ loss on Friday, it is possible that they could be drafted to Raw on Monday, keeping them away from Reigns on SmackDown.

Meltzer also talked about the new NXT call-ups, saying while JD McDonagh may not get a strong push due to Vince McMahon, Von Wagner is something that may get a lot of chances due to his size.

“He’s going to need to show a lot more, or…I don’t know. I don’t know that he’s ready,” Meltzer said.

The key people on Raw, who will get the new World Heavyweight Championship, seem to be Cody Rhodes, Gunther, and Drew McIntyre. Meltzer suggested McIntyre could be a future feud for Rhodes, as Brock Lesnar is likely to be a one-time match.

“Lesnar’s just going to be this pay-per-view,” Meltzer said.

Two notable names not in the draft are Bray Wyatt and Alexa Bliss. The latter’s exemption from the draft may be a sign the two are still set to be connected with one another whenver Wyatt returns.

VIDEO: Chris Jericho & CM Punk have their meeting as the Saturday show looms

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Chris Jericho and CM Punk did hold their meeting, but details regarding it remain unknown.

Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer discussed the meeting on Wrestling Observer Radio Thursday morning.

“I just know they had the meeting on Friday and really not much else other than the meeting went well, whatever that means,” Meltzer said. “The idea of the meeting was they were going to meet, then Jericho was going to talk to [The Elite], which may have happened tonight, and…trying to smooth everything over.”

Meltzer and Alvarez then talked about the upcoming Saturday show, which was not announced on Wednesday’s Dynamite. Tony Khan appeared instead to give details on the Owen Hart Cup tournament, which will end with a Saturday event in Calgary. Meltzer said he had heard May 17th as a possible date for the new television show announcement.

Meltzer additionally brought up that it is up in the air regarding where the new show, reportedly called Collision, will air overseas, bringing up that while Rampage airs in the UK, it does not air in Canada.

Chris Jericho & CM Punk have their meeting as the Saturday show looms

Posted on by F4W Staff

Chris Jericho and CM Punk did hold their meeting, but details regarding it remain unknown.

Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer discussed the meeting on Wrestling Observer Radio Thursday morning.

“I just know they had the meeting on Friday and really not much else other than the meeting went well, whatever that means,” Meltzer said. “The idea of the meeting was they were going to meet, then Jericho was going to talk to [The Elite], which may have happened tonight, and…trying to smooth everything over.”

Meltzer and Alvarez then talked about the upcoming Saturday show, which was not announced on Wednesday’s Dynamite. Tony Khan appeared instead to give details on the Owen Hart Cup tournament, which will end with a Saturday event in Calgary. Meltzer said he had heard May 17th as a possible date for the new television show announcement.

Meltzer additionally brought up that it is up in the air regarding where the new show, reportedly called Collision, will air overseas, bringing up that while Rampage airs in the UK, it does not air in Canada.

VIDEO: Why is WWE doing a draft?

Posted on by F4W Staff

Talk regarding the upcoming WWE Draft took place on Wrestling Observer Radio Monday morning.

Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer were reviewing WWE SmackDown when Alvarez started to talk about the draft, pointing out that there’s more evidence to suggest the shows are better without a brand split than with one.

“In the last eight months, after Vince left, this [brand split] was done,” Alvarez said. “Guys worked wherever they needed to work, whenever they needed to work, and I have seen zero evidence in the last eight months that life was better when the [brand split] was strict. Zero evidence.”

“The whole company has been carried by The Bloodline feud, so they gotta be on every show,” Meltzer said. “Given the success of these shows, it would be absolute insanity if they kept people on separate rosters after this draft.”

Meltzer explained that it would be insanity to go back to having split rosters when evidence is clear that, if anything, WWE has benefitted from having everyone work on both SmackDown and Raw, specifically mentioning Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and The Usos.

This year’s WWE Draft begins this Friday on SmackDown and continues the following Monday on Raw.

Wrestling Observer Radio: CM Punk and a prospective AEW Saturday night show

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:

  • An AEW meeting with CM Punk, Chris Jericho, and other AEW talent.
  • The idea of a Saturday AEW show with CM Punk
  • If WBD is involved with CM Punk coming back
  • The idea of a soft roster split
  • More thoughts on the Wembley Stadium show
  • FTR’s angle to leave AEW if they didn’t win the belts
  • Dave’s story on Butch Miller
  • Thoughts on the Dusty Rhodes biography
  • Wednesday ratings

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

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VIDEO: Ospreay vs. Omega should take place at AEW All In

Posted on by F4W Staff

Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez had thoughts on future matches between Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay on Wrestling Observer Radio.

On Monday’s show, Meltzer suggested that instead of Ospreay defeating Omega at Forbidden Door, they should instead have Omega winning again at the June pay-per-view, then Ospreay should go on and get his win back in Wembley.

“Now I would think if I was going to put this thing together I would have Omega win again at Forbidden Door, save the Ospreay win for Wembley. I can just imagine Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay at Wembley with Will Ospreay finally getting the win over Omega,” Meltzer said.

Meltzer said he wasn’t sure if AEW and NJPW would go with that plan, but he said that “the story writes itself.”

Bryan Alvarez suggested a six-man tag team match at Forbidden Door between The Elite and United Empire that leads to a singles match at Wembley. Meltzer preferred the singles match.

“The singles match is more attractive,” he said. “You could do the six-man on TV. That would be awesome.”

Meltzer pointed out that only one wrestling card has taken place at Wembley Stadium, SummerSlam 1992, which turned Davey Boy Smith into a notable figure in the country.

“This is the opportunity to do the same thing with Will Ospreay. Save that win for that show,” Meltzer said.