Tag: xfl

Daily Update: WWE Elimination Chamber, XFL, Mercedes Mone

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

In this week’s issue:

  • One of the biggest history issues of the year with the lead story on Jerry Jarrett and the glory days of Tennessee wrestling
  • Jarrett’s booking the wrestling war in Atlanta
  • Jarrett outside of wrestling
  • The start of TNA Wrestling
  • Jarrett’s departure from TNA wrestling
  • The original premise of TNA
  • How Jarrett first got into wrestling
  • Jarrett and Bill Watts discussion of fighting
  • The Mario Galento story from the Jarrett side, the Lawler side and the Galento side
  • The court case, exposing the business, and how the business did
  • Jarrett building the promotion with he, Jackie Fargo and Tojo Yamamoto as the big three
  • Jarrett’s booking philosophy
  • How Tennessee wrestling was viewed outside Tennessee
  • How Saturday morning wrestling became a tradition
  • How Dave Brown got into wrestling and how his career as a newsman changed due to wrestling
  • The wrestling war in Memphis
  • How the NWA title matches changed when Sam Muchnick was no longer booking the champion and why Muchnick was taken out of the position
  • The booking that led to Jerry Lawler being the king of Memphis wrestling
  • The key people Jarrett wanted to win the wrestling war
  • Details of the brief war
  • How popular was the TV show
  • What happened when Lawler threatened to start up and go against Jarrett
  • The fall of the promotion
  • Jarrett attempts to buy WCW
  • Jarrett’s ideas after wrestling
  • Jarrett’s last matches in the ring
  • Wrestling moving weekly to the Mid South Coliseum
  • How Jarrett figured into the first shows
  • The first sellout at the Coliseum
  • Jerry Lawler’s first big crowds
  • How a local rock band played into Memphis wrestling
  • What star much bigger than Andy Kaufman was talked with about doing wrestling
  • The Jimmy Hart era
  • Major names who got their start in wrestling
  • The boxer vs. wrestler angle they did and how it could never work now
  • The Lawler vs. Dundee feud
  • Jarrett selling the company and the attempted revivals
  • Why the MLW vs. WWE lawsuit was thrown out and what happens next
  • Tony Khan talks issues with WWE and the story behind the new Japan story
  • Khan talks about new business deals
  • The big question about Elimination Chamber
  • Full coverage of Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski and UFC 284
  • Keiji Muto about to retire
  • What next for Jay White
  • New Japan’s big events for the next two months
  • New Beginning in Osaka coverage
  • Billy Two Rivers, a cultural icon among native Americans and a celebrity in Europe passes away and his life story
  • The life of flying Eric Froelich, a 60s and 70s star
  • The most complete look at the ratings of all the major shows over the past week
  • Update on Jon Moxley’s planned European tour
  • Debut of ROH television
  • A look at the Revolution card
  • Upcoming ticket sales for WWE & AEW shows
  • Changes in UFC contracts
  • International TV ratings

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:

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.

Sunday Update

Both of our weekend shows are up on the site now. Garrett and I did a show talking about the news of the week, the WWE sale price, how Saudi fits in that is unique and talked to Rocky Romero in a fun interview taking New Japan, CMLL and his duties as the New Japan American rep. Bryan and I did a show on Elimination Chamber, Sami Zayn, Battle in the Valley and also talked the Saudi interest in WWE and what that’s all about.

I loved the crowd last night at the Chamber show. Crowds like that make a show fun and the performance by the talent was off the charts. The less matches but better matches and keeping the show at just over three hours from that standpoint works well. You can debate the finish of the main event, and I would as well, but Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn as performers put on a memorable match. I loved the pacing as they went very long and it never felt long. A lot of that was also how hot the crowd was. When you have a crowd like that you can wait 5:00 to touch and work slower early on. . Stories this hot are rare. It’s been years and that also gave them the latitude of all the ref bumps and run-ins that often detract from a match and are so overdone, but in this match it worked. Also, they didn’t give away the Jey Uso decision or the Kevin Owens hug that people expected, so they have plenty for the Mania build. 

The XFL debuted yesterday. Dwayne Johnson was promoting it and gave a big speech at the start of the first televised game yesterday on ABC, but it didn’t feel as big to me as the first two launches of the league. Ratings will tell the story. The XFL was the No. 4 searched topic yesterday on Google at 500,000, with Elimination Chamber No. 5 at 200,000. The top three were Jimmy Carter, the Daytona 500 and Arsenal vs. Aston Villa. UFC did not crack the list and No. 16 was only 20,000. So there was no real interest in that event.

The XFL championship game will take place on 5/13 on ABC at 6 p.m. Eastern , from San Antonio at the Alamodome. Dwayne Johnson made the announcement at the San Antonio Brahmas home opener toady.

Mercedes Mone’s next New Japan match will be on the 4/8 show at Sumo Hall. That will be her first IWGP women’s title defense after winning last night. It was a very emotional deal in the building and it was amazing how hot the crowd was for Kairi. It was a unique crowd in the sense they wanted Eddie Kingston to beat Jay White in the loser leaves town match, but when it was announced before the match that all Bullet Club members were barred from ringside, which you would think the crowd would cheer, they booed that announcement heavily. Nobody in WWE has confirmed Jay White coming in, but they are certainly the favorite. One would think if White was going to AEW, he’d be able to work big shows with New Japan and would continue to do so, but they wouldn’t do the loser leaves for good stipulation.

Richard Belzer, best known for Law & Order: SUV, but having a wrestling connection since Hulk Hogan legit put him out with a guillotine on his old nationally syndicated TV show the week before the first WrestleMania, then let him go and he landed on his head and split his head open. He ended up suing WWF and Hogan and did a comedy routine about the incident noting that he bought a house with the money he got in the suit.

Yuji Nagata beat Kento Miyahara to win the Triple Crown earlier today at Korakuen Hal. Nagata had never won that title previously. We’ve heard lots of great reviews of that match.

The other indie match we’ve heard about from different people was El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Black Taurus vs. Aero Boy vs. Aramis from Warrior Wrestling last night.

Names at the New Japan show in San Jose included C.M. Punk with Rancid’s Lars Fredericksen, Bayley (who was cheering in the crowd and chanting during the Mercedes Mone match and I saw a photo of her with Stanford professor and sports business expert George Foster), Scott D’Amore, Tamina, Naomi, Lou D’Angeli and Gisele Shaw. 

Pat Laprade noted that Friday night’s ovation for Sami Zayn on Smackdown was the longest known in history at the Bell Center, lasting 5:12, longer than Hulk Hogan in 2002, Saku Kolvu i 2002 and Jacques Villeneuve in 1997. The Montreal record was set at the old Forum by Maurice “Rocket” Richard, the hockey legend.

Dickie Davies, a name well-known in the U.K., passed away today at 94. He was the legendary host of the ITV World of Sport block from 1965 to 1985. He was affiliated with soccer, the Olympics and the five hour sports show on Saturday afternoons on ITV that included wrestling. He also hosted the wrestling DVDs from the ITV days produced a few years ago. (thanks to Bradley Craig and Stephen Lyon)

Brian Bukantis, who published Stranglehold and Body Press magazines in Detroit and was a photographer and writer for national wrestling magazines and newsletters passed away on Friday at the age of 73.

Want to thank everyone for the nice comments on the current Observer with the Jerry Jarrett lead story. Want to make one clarification. When about Roy Welch and Jarrett-Welch promotions, this was the situation. When Jarrett split from Nick Gulas in 1977, Roy Welch sided with Jarrett. His health had declined by that point and he passed away later in 1977. The Jarrett-Welch name for the promotion on television after that point was for Edward Welch, better known as Buddy Fuller, the father of Ron & Robert Fuller (whose real last name is also Welch).

A celebration of life for Jerry Jarrett takes place Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Long Hollow Church in Hendersonville, TN. Visitation will be at 10 am. The family has asked in lieu of flowers for memorial donations in Jerry’s name to the St. Jude Christan’s Hospital.

Jerry had 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

The 2022 Observer awards issue comes out Friday.

We’re looking for your thoughts on both Elimination Chamber and Battle in the Valley, so you can leave a thumbs up, down or middle, plus and best and worst match from each show to [email protected]

In the U.K. the AEW PPV shows starting with Revolution are available on DAZN. If you are a DAZN subscriber, you can get the PPVs through DAZN, but not as part of the package. It’s a separate price. You can also get the PPVs in the U.K. through FITE, which I believe is the better option because it doesn’t come with a $19.99 per month subscription fee.

I don’t know if this is related to Tony Khan’s new announcement on Wednesday, but AEW did file a trademark this week for “AEW Collision” which would be for a television/streaming show.

A study at Wrestling-World.com listed the 15 biggest social media reach personalities associated with pro wrestling as Dwayne Johnson, Logan Paul, John Cena, Ronda Rousey, Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, Roman Reigns, HHH, Randy Orton, Saraya, Alexa Bliss, Eva Marie, Steve Austin, Mercedes Mone and Becky Lynch.

The death of Raquel Welch this past week brings up the Roller Games movie “Kansas City Bomber” which she starred in. The movie story was always said to be based very loosely on Joanie Weston replacing the older Annis “Big Red” Jensen as the top woman star of the Bay Bombers of the rival Roller Derby promotion. However Irv Muchnick noted and likely so, that the single mom from a divorced family with the young child is likely influenced by Ann Calvello, who was another skating star who was one of the greats at different times in both Roller Derby and Roller Games.

Other Notes

Invicta runs 3/15 from Reelworks in Denver at 9 p.m. Eastern on AXS TV. The main event has Valesca Machado vs. Danni McCormack for the strawweight title. 

Sean Waltman appears for AIW with a meet and greet as part of its 3/24 show in Cleveland, OH at the Temple Live Asylum Room.

Glory has announced a return of the eight-man one-night heavyweight kickboxing tournament, which was a giant event annually in Japan in the K-1 era. Like with K-1, there will be qualifying matches throughout the year and the tournament will be an annual event in December, just like it was for K-1. The winner will get $500,000. There will be a four-man tournament on 4/29 and the winner will face interim heavyweight champion Antonio Plazibat.

Aja Kong vs Vert Vixen was announced for West Coast Pro on 4/7 in San Francisco at The State Room.

Insane Wrestling Revolution on Wednesday night in Monroe, MI: Benjamin Boone b Tanner Nix, Hannah Henderson b Kelly Moore, Kyle Barrett & Big Flex b Rhino & DBA=-DQ, Buckeye Sam b Ace Evans, Trey Miguel & Myron Reed b Aaron Orion & Tommy Vendetta to win the tag titles, Kamille b Shawna Reed, Jason Hotch b Rich Swann, Bry Sullivan & Damian Chambers b Kenny Urban & Rod Lee, Madman Fulton b Sam Beale Thomas Latimer b Dread King Logan to win the heavyweight title. Next show is 3/23 at F.O.P. Hall in Monroe, MI. Rhino promotes this group (thanks to Leonard Brand)

Dungeon Wrestling in Calgary from Friday night at the Pavilion before 900 fans: Chris Cutthroat Knight b Shaun Moore, Tiger Raj Singh b Michael Allen Richard Clark, Zoey Zager b Nicole Matthews, Harry Smith & Billington Bulldogs b Bruno the Cuban Giant Blanco & Michael Blais & Karou, Mighty Mo Jabari b C.K. Krimson-DQ in a tournament match for the world mid heavyweight title, Nick Aldis b Chris Masters to keep the Stu Hart Heritage title (thanks to Ross Hart)

Tanner Boser vs. Ian Cutelaba is expected for a 4/15 UFC show in Kansas City at the T-Mobile Center. This was reported by MMA Fighting.

Daily Update: Vince McMahon, WWE Raw at MSG, XFL

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

Job Listing: Onlamp php/mysql developer. Experience with vbulletin and drupal/WordPress a plus. Email [email protected] with subject PHP DEVELOPER with resume.

F4W All Out weekend Q&A, meet & greet, pizza party, bus ticket information: https://f4wchicago2022.brownpapertickets.com/

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

July 25, 2022 Observer Newsletter: Tony Khan on ROH’s future, G1 Climax 32 begins

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:

June 13, 2005 Observer Newsletter: WWE Draft Lottery begins, UFC 53 recap

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.

Monday News Update

  • Bryan and I did a special show today covering the major announcements today regarding Paul Levesque running creative and the Vince McMahon issues, and how that changes a lot of dynamics of the wrestling world. We will be back with another show.
  • The Wall Street Journal reported that The Securities and Exchange Commission and federal prosecutors have launched inquiries into payments made by Vince McMahon to settle allegations of sexual misconduct.
  • Raw is tonight at a sold out Madison Square Garden. There are 13,300+ tickets out as of this morning. Earlier today the get in price for the show was $139. Keep in mind there was no great secondary market demand at all a few days ago. With all the news of the day, most feel this will do a huge rating. Smackdown did 2,256,000 viewers and an 0.62 in 18-49. When you have these “scandal” days where the ratings go up, the increase is heavily in the 18-49 age group so that would be expected. The Friday 18-49 number was Smackdown’s best since January pre-Rumble when a lot more people are watching television. There isn’t a lot advertised, just the Rey Mysterio 20th anniversary show with Rey & Dominik vs. Damian Priest & Finn Balor, Logan Paul doing his Impaulsive TV interview segment and Roman Reigns and Ronda Rousey have both been advertised locally with Reigns pushed hard for television.
  • We’re looking for reports from WWE’s house show in Utica, NY, last night, as well as both NXT weekend shows in Melbourne, FL and Cocoa, FL with results, highlights, finishes and any other major happenings to [email protected] We’re also looking for dark match notes or anything off the air from MSG tonight.
  • We’re also doing our weekend poll on the ROH PPV show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
  • I’ve got a number of media appearances scheduled over the next few days. I’ll be doing the Sports Illustrated Jimmy Traina podcast this week as well as WPIX morning news in New York tomorrow. I did CNN on Saturday. 
  • Miz & Mrs. will have its final two episodes of the season airing on USA at 11 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. It most likely gets the benefit of a big lead-in.
  • The XFL, headed by Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia., sent out a press release announcing the season opens February 18, 2023, with teams ni Arlington, TX (Bob Stoops coaching), Houston (Wade Phillips coaching), Orlando (Terrell Buckley coaching), Las Vegas (Rod Woodson coaching),San Antonio (Hines Ward coaching), Seattle (Jim Haslett coaching), St. Louis (Anthony Becht coaching) and Washington DC (Reggie Barlow coaching). Season tickets are being put on sale today.
  • The G1 Climax continues tomorrow at 5:30 a.m. from Korakuen Hall with Great-O-Khan vs. Chase Owens (B bock), KENTA vs. Evil ((C block), Tom Lawlor’s G-1 debut against Lance Archer (A block) and David Finlay vs. Juice Robinson (D block).
  • Aussie Open became the first New Japan Strong tag team champions yesterday beating Yuya Uemura & Christopher Daniels in the finals of the tournament in Charlotte, NC at the Grady Cole Center. It was said to be a great match (thanks to John Edwards)

Other Notes

  • Kaito Ishida announced today that he was leaving Dragon Gate. He had been frustrated over the booking change. 
  • The Gathering III on 8/4 to 8/7 at the Hilton University Place in Charlotte, NC has announced a giant lineup of people including Jacques Rougeau, Kim Duk, Mike Enos, Wayne Bloom, Paul Roma, Shane Douglas, Francine, Tito Santana, Haku, Ricky Morton, Paul Ellering, Nikita Koloff, Marc Mero, Jerry Jarrett, Sandman, Jeff Jarrett, The Mulky Brothers, The Berzerker, Bill Apter, Tonga Kid, Masked Superstar, Krusher Khrushcev, Gunner, Stan Hansen, Bill Dundee, Lodi, Brooklyn Brawler, Robert Fuller, Ted DiBiase, Ken Patera, Tugboat, George South, Magnum TA, Torrie Wilson, PCO, Jim Valiant, Kevin Sullivan, Kimberly, Bret Hat, 2 Cold Scorpio, The Fulton Brothers, Baby Doll, Sam Houston, Tommy Young, Jimmy & Ronnie Garvin, Scott Norton Baron Von Raschke, Warlord, Barbarian, Teddy Long, Tony Garea, Robert Gibson, Rachael Ellering, and Nick Aldis.
  • Garden State Pro Wrestling from Saturday night in Newark,NJ: Alan Angels b Kevin Blackwood (first round of GSPW title tournament), Heather Monroe & Bailyan Akki b Dark Sheik & Jai Vidal, Titus Alexander b Calvin Tankman (tournament first round) Jordan Oliver &Charlie Tiger & Griffin McCoy b Marcus Mathers & Reid Walker & Austin Luke, Tayak Valkyrie b Trish Adora to retain the AAA Reina de Reinas title, Bryan Keith b Effy (first round tournament match)),Robert Martyr b Davey Richards (first round tournament match), Miyu Yamashita won three-way over Janal Kai and Billie Starkz, Konosuke Takeshita d Josh Alexander.
  • Defy Wrestling comes to Tacoma, Wa on Friday with Christopher Daniels va. Adam Brooks for the Interim Defy title, Ortiz of AEW vs Cody Chhuhn, Bollywood Boyz vs. Midnight Heat in a Mumbai street fight plus Levi Cooper (Tucker from WWE), vs. Guillermo Rosas, Su Yung vs. Rebel Kel, and Ethan HD vs. No Way Jose. Only standing room tickets are available.
  • Rooted in Wrestling from Saturday night in Alameda, CA: Karisma b Scarlett Rose, Dash Riprock b Boyce LeGrande, Dom Cirrus b Levi Shapiro, Anna Diaz b Brittany Wonder to win the women’s title, Shane Kody b Super Diablo, Daga won three-way over Mecha Wolf and Rey Genesis, Gangrel b Jeckles, Tasha Steelz b MJ Jenkins, Carlito b Juicy Finau,Moose b Cody Hall, Jacob Fatu & Sionne Finau & Journey Fatu b JTG & DD Fresh & Alpha Zo. Tonga Kid hit JG with a chair after the match (thanks to Mike Lano)

Vince McMahon, Oliver Luck settle XFL wrongful termination lawsuit

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Vince McMahon and Oliver Luck aren’t headed to trial after all.

As was first reported by Sports Business Journal on Monday, McMahon and Luck have reached a settlement in Luck’s wrongful termination lawsuit. Luck, who was the commissioner of McMahon’s 2020 XFL revival, was seeking approximately $24 million in compensation in the lawsuit.

Financial terms of the settlement haven’t been disclosed.

“The parties reached an agreement to resolve this case on June 16, 2022,” Luck’s attorney Paul Dobrowski wrote in a filing last Friday. Dobrowski was seeking a judicial order to permanently seal records in the case.

Luck, whose contract as XFL commissioner had been personally guaranteed by McMahon, was fired just days before the XFL folded amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. McMahon claimed that he fired Luck due to “gross neglect of his job” during the pandemic, personal use of a league-assisted cellphone, and signing wide receiver Antonio Callaway despite Callaway having had legal issues. When McMahon announced the relaunch of the XFL in 2018, he stated that no players with criminal histories would be welcome in the league.

A judge had thrown out McMahon’s other claims, with the Callaway issue being the only one that would have been considered if the lawsuit went to trial.

McMahon filed a countersuit against Luck in January 2021.

A settlement conference between the two sides had taken place last Wednesday but only lasted nine minutes.

Last Friday, McMahon announced that he’s voluntarily stepping away from his WWE chairman and CEO positions until the WWE Board of Directors’ investigation into alleged misconduct committed by him is completed. The Wall Street Journal published a story last week revealing that McMahon was being investigated by the Board of Directors over a “secret $3 million hush pact” with a former WWE employee who he allegedly had an affair with.

Stephanie McMahon has been named WWE’s interim chairwoman and CEO. Vince McMahon is still running WWE creative during the investigation.

Wrestling Observer Radio: Vince McMahon Wall Street Journal story, plus Dynamite and news

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including all the details on the Vince McMahon Wall Street Journal story, how this has and could affect WWE, his legal battle with Oliver Luck, Warner Brothers, Major League Soccer’s new deal, ratings, AEW Dynamite recap, Rampage spoilers and more. A packed show as always so check it out~!

Start: WWE Board of Directors investigating Vince McMahon

20:32: Mailbag questions on investigation

41:19: Vince McMahon/Oliver Luck lawsuit likely going to trial

47:01: Apple TV deal with Major League Soccer and how that could apply to wrestling

54:13: Ratings

58:28: AEW Dynamite recap

1:22:29: AEW Rampage spoilers

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Vince McMahon-Oliver Luck headed for trial after settlement talks last nine minutes

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Alpha Entertainment’s Vince McMahon and former XFL commissioner Oliver Luck’s lawsuits against one another are headed to trial after today’s settlement talks lasted just nine minutes.

Pro Football Talk and The Athletic’s Daniel Kaplan report that mediators met with representatives for both sides on Wednesday in an attempt to reach a settlement agreement, but that talks quickly fizzled. 

Luck is suing McMahon’s company for $23.8 million in compensation from his XFL contract, after McMahon had provided a personal guarantee that Luck would be paid. McMahon countersued Luck, alleging that Alpha incurred damages of over $572,000 as a result of Luck breaching his contract and duties. 

A trial date has been set for July 11.

This iteration of the XFL was announced in January 2018, and kicked off in February 2020. Luck was named commissioner of the league in June 2018. 

After suspending operations in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the XFL fired Luck and all of its employees, then filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protections three days later in April 2020. 

A group led by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and business partner Dani Garcia ended up purchasing the XFL in August 2020, and the league is now set for a February 2023 relaunch.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s XFL announces TV deal with ABC, ESPN & FX

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dany Garcia have found a television home for their relaunch of the XFL.

It was announced on Tuesday that the XFL has reached a broadcast rights deal with The Walt Disney Company and ESPN for XFL games to air on ABC, ESPN networks, and FX. The deal begins with the XFL’s return season in 2023 and runs through 2027.

“The XFL today announced a new, global multi-year agreement with The Walt Disney Company and ESPN, which includes exclusive broadcast rights for all gameday content, tentpole events and more, for its upcoming 2023 season through 2027,” a press release said.

“Each season, all 43 games (40 regular season games, two playoffs, one championship) will be featured on a combination of ABC, ESPN networks and FX. Additionally, the agreement includes exclusive content rights across TWDC (The Walt Disney Company) and ESPN’s digital, social and direct-to-consumer outlets such as ESPN+. The XFL is excited to officially announce its 2023 season will kick off on Saturday, February 18.”

Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

Johnson, his ex-wife and business partner Garcia, and RedBird Capital purchased the assets of the XFL in 2020 after Vince McMahon abandoned his plans for the league. 

The XFL, which first went out of business in 2001, was revived by McMahon in 2020, but its return season came to an end after five weeks following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 season aired on ABC, Fox, ESPN, ESPN2, and FS1.

“This is a definitive moment for the XFL and the beginning of an incredible, long-term partnership for the league, building on my longstanding, very successful legacy relationship I’ve had with Disney throughout my career,” Johnson said. “We’re excited to be working with global visionaries that are aligned with the XFL’s values, are true team players and share our ambitious goals to grow the XFL as a global sports and entertainment business. Through the combined power of Disney, ESPN and the XFL, together we will create a new powerhouse on the sports calendar and bring a dynamic game of football to fans everywhere. Time to ball out.”

“Without question, we have long admired Disney’s distinct ability to engage an expansive consumer fanbase across verticals, while also maintaining a deeply authentic, nuanced and heartfelt approach to storytelling much like our own,” Garcia said. “To find a partner that honors our foundation and to be able to root our vision of unwavering passion, accessibility and the future of football with Disney as our home, is a dream come true. We are extraordinarily excited to explore the endless possibilities of this partnership – today is surely just the beginning.”

Daily Update: Vince McMahon-Oliver Luck lawsuit, CM Punk, AEW tickets

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Elimination Chamber review, Undertaker to WWE Hall of Fame

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.

Monday News Update

Bryan and I will be back tonight for Wrestling Observer Radio talking Raw, the AEW announcements, WrestleMania news as well as taking your emails questions to [email protected].

WWE

  • Raw is tonight from Columbus, OH. Raw today passed 7,000 tickets out which would be the largest Raw crowd of 2022. Damian Priest vs. Finn Balor for the U.S. title is advertised plus Edge appears. Tommaso Ciampa is backstage which makes sense since the idea is now to shoot angles on Monday for Tuesday and they have Ciampa & Bron Breakker vs. Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode as the NXT 2.0 main event.
  • The Vince McMahon-Oliver Luck lawsuit is headed to trial on 7/11 by orders of Judge S. Dave Vatti. WWE has claimed Luck destroyed evidence within an hour of being terminated.
  • As was teased on Smackdown, the official listings for WrestleMania does have Queen Zelina & Carmella defending the women’s tag tiles against Naomi & Sasha Banks.
  • For Saturday’s MSG show, WWE has pulled the advertising of Seth Rollins as the opponent for Roman Reigns. It is just listed as Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns both defending their titles against unnamed opponents. On television, they have pushed the Lesnar title defense hard and not mentioned the Reigns match. The announced matches are Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley for the Raw women’s title, Charlotte Flair & Sonya Deville vs. Ronda Rousey & Naomi and Usos vs. New Day for the tag titles. Rollins is advertised still on the show, just not against Reigns.
  • Both Rollins and Becky Lynch were not on the weekend house shows even though they had been advertised. No announcement was made nor any reason given.
  • Two episodes of the Corey Graves & Carmella reality show pilot were released today on WWE’s YouTube channel. The promotion heavily publicized this.
  • There will be an Ilja Dragunov vs. Nathan Frazier match on NXT UK on Thursday.

AEW

  • Esquire Magazine did a major piece on C.M. Punk and his return that is worth reading even though most of you know the gist of the public part of the story but there is some private stuff that has never been out.
  • For Revolution, there are 29 tickets left priced at $271 to $900.50 and 429 tickets left on the secondary market at three to four times the usual face value.
  • The 4/6 show in Boston as of this morning was 366 tickets shy of a sellout (thanks to William Zdon/Wrestle Tix).
  • On BTE, the Young Bucks and Matt Hardy did a total spoof of the WWE/Jeff Hardy issues on today’s show.
  • Tay Conti is scheduled for the 3/26 EMW show in Tijuana. 

Other Wrestling

  • Johnny Gargano today said that he wants to remain a free agent at this time so he can pick and choose what he wants to do for the time being.
  • The debut of up-to-date New Japan on AXS will be Thursday at 10 p.m. with Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kazuchika Okada vs. Sanada & Tetsuya Naito and Evil vs. Tomohiro Ishii for the Never open weight title. From 3/10 to 3/31 they will be airing matches from 2/19 and 2/20 in Sapporo with Okada vs. Naito as a full show match on 3/31.
  • A video promoting the upcoming Matt Cardona vs. Nick Aldis NWA world heavyweight title match.
  • Slam Wrestling has an interview with Shane Taylor, formerly of Ring of Honor, where he talks about what is next.
  • Slam Wrestling also has a Q&A with “Dazzler” Ken Dunlop, who was a name wrestler in Australia and who recently released his autobiography, Dazzler Dunlop: Inside my Squared Circle.
  • Defy had its 50th show on Saturday night in Seattle: Titus Alexander b Ethan HD, Cody Chhun & Guillermo Rosas b Midnight Heat & Levi Cooper (Tucker in WWE) in a handicap match where Chhun & Rosas would have to leave Defy if they lost, Bollywood Boyz b Rocky Romero & Kevin Knight to keep Defy tag titles, Christopher Daniels b Clark Connors to keep Defy title, Jonah b Schaff, Sw3rve b Nick Wayne. Shane Strickland is just going by the name Sw3rve (thanks to Matt Farmer).
  • Regarding the question from yesterday as to whether AZM and Starlight Kid were the youngest wrestlers to get a ****1/2 or better rating or a match there was a ***** match in Mexico between Rey Misterio Jr., who was 19, and Juventud Guerrera, who was 20, in December 1994.
  • CWE announced shows for 4/6 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, 4/7 in Prince Albert, 4/8 in Saskatoon and 4/9 in Regina.
  • Minoru Suzuki vs. Kevin Blackwood was announced for West Coast Pro on 4/15 in South San Francisco, CA at The State Room.

UFC

  • Rafael Fiziev, who was to face Rafael dos Anjos in the No. 2 bout on this coming Saturday’s UFC 272 PPV show, is out after testing positive for COVID. Both Islam Makhachev, who just won on Saturday night, and Paul Felder, have said that they would take the short notice fight against dos Anjos. For Makhachev that’s something because he’s already earned a title shot and has nothing to gain from a win over dos Anjos.
  •  UFC 274 on 5/7 will be from Phoenix.
  • Sportsbetting.ag has placed odds heavily in favor if Islam Makhachev winning the lightweight title. He’s listed as a -415 favorite against Charles Oliveira, and a -600 favorite against Justin Gaethje. 

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s XFL announces collaboration with NFL

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The XFL and NFL are partnering together with a focus on football innovation.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dany Garcia’s XFL announced today that it is collaborating with the NFL on “select innovation programs to further expand the game of football and create increased opportunities for player development both on and off the field.”

The collaboration is centered on learning and innovation within the area of player health and safety. The XFL will work with the NFL on “forward thinking physical and mental fitness programs for players, the study of playing surfaces and equipment and the sharing of game trends and data.”

Other areas of potential collaboration may include international football development and scouting, as well as officiating, including the testing of different game rules for player protection and enhanced overall play, and of different technologies to enhance officiating.

“We are extremely pleased to collaborate with the NFL in these important areas,” Garcia said. “We are bringing forward an XFL that is progressive and forward-thinking when it comes to innovation, leveraging the newest technology to enhance gameday experience. We have an open field for innovative rules to enhance in-game access. Sharing insights and practices between the XFL and NFL will do a tremendous amount of good for the game of football and support the player ecosystem overall.”

Garcia, who is the chairwoman of the XFL and a co-owner of the league, told ESPN that the partnership isn’t intended to put the XFL in position as a developmental league to the NFL: “That’s a no. We are a spring league. We will play at the highest level in the spring. There is not the anticipation of any player sharing that changes the dynamic. That’s not how we’re executing our vision.”

Johnson, Garcia, and RedBird Capital purchased the assets of the XFL in 2020. The league, which had first gone out of business in 2001, was revived by Vince McMahon in 2020, but its return season came to an end after five weeks following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The XFL will return with a new season in 2023.

On social media, Johnson posted a video commenting on the XFL-NFL partnership:

Vince McMahon countersues ex-XFL commissioner for $573,000

Posted on by Josh Nason

USA Today reported Friday that WWE chairman Vince McMahon has countersued former XFL commissioner Oliver Luck for nearly $600,000.

McMahon filed the suit on Thursday in Connecticut federal court, saying Luck defied McMahon’s orders with his league personnel decisions and that Luck was derelict in his duties when the pandemic hit in March. 

Luck sued McMahon in April for breach of contract after he was fired the day before the XFL announced they were laying off all personnel, a precusor to filing for bankruptcy. He is seeking the remaining $23+ million of his contract in addition to damages and attorney fees. 

The main sticking point for McMahon was Luck’s decisions on specific players that defied McMahon’s edict that they be “quality football players with good character.” One of those players was Antonio Callaway, out of the NFL due to a substance abuse violation and a prior suspension due to credit card fraud.

He was brought into the XFL player pool and taken by Tampa Bay. However, he got injured and never played a game, but was still due his $120,000 signing bonus in addition to worker’s compensation.

The $572,792.10 McMahon is suing for covers Callaway’s contract and worker’s comp in addition to Luck’s compensation from March 14th through April 9th. The dates are when McMahon said Luck went home to Indiana instead of sticking around the league’s offices in Connecticut to manage things through the pandemic, claiming Luck cut off communication.

From the suit: “Luck knowingly and deliberately deceived me – repeatedly – throughout the Callaway situation, which made me question whether I could continue to trust Luck to be the commissioner and CEO of the XFL.”

Another player who caused an issue between the two was controversial quarterback Johnny Manziel who McMahon wasn’t interested in. 

From the USA Today story:

“After learning of reports that the XFL would consider signing Manziel, McMahon texted Luck “How long R U going to play this game Oliver? U know there is NO CHANCE IN HELL for Manziel to play for us. I will not change my mind. So what’s Ur plan??”

Admitting it was a headlines ploy, Luck responded: “Vince – we have no intention of signing him, none whatsoever. We’re just milking the story to stay in the news. I’m happy to categorically rule him out but both Jeffrey and I think it is worthwhile to milk it until the showcases are finished (July 12). At that point we can say he doesn’t fit into our plans.”

An ownership group led by Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia purchased the assets of the XFL with the intent of relaunching it in 2022.

The Rock announces XFL relaunch for spring 2022

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The next relaunch of the XFL is targeted for 2022.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dany Garcia released a video today announcing that the XFL will return in spring 2022. The league was purchased by Johnson, Garcia, and RedBird Capital Partners for $15 million this August.

“The XFL represents the idea of ultimate opportunity; it’s a league of soul and culture, anchored by the pursuit of dreams and love for the game, that we couldn’t be more proud to lead,” Garcia and Johnson said in a press release. “Every XFL player, coach, city and fan is our top priority and we couldn’t be more excited to champion them in an electrifying 2022 season. We are the new XFL — hungry, humble and no one will outwork us.”

“For the love of football and for the safety of our players and fans, we’ll be back on the field in 2022,” XFL President and COO Jeffrey Pollack said. “The opportunity in front of us, with our new ownership, is simply too big to rush back. We want to do this properly with care and thought for everyone who loves football, especially our players, coaches, partners and fans.”

After the original version of the league lasted for one season in 2001, Vince McMahon announced in 2018 that the XFL would relaunch under his new Alpha Entertainment group. The revived XFL then kicked off this February. But five weeks into the season, play was stopped in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The league suspended operations in April and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Johnson and Garcia’s video announcing the return of the XFL for 2022 is available to watch below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ai5RJDYUzw

August 10, 2020 Observer: The Rock & Dany Garcia buy XFL, new WWE president, more

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Dwayne Johnson, along with former wife and current business partner Dany Garcia of Seven Bucks Entertainment, and RedBird Capital’s Gerry Cardinale, were the only bidder and look to be acquiring the XFL for $15 million in bankruptcy court.

The sale may be held up by lawyers for clients who are owed money from Alpha Entertainment, which went into bankruptcy with tens of millions of dollars in unpaid bills.

The price tag doesn’t come close to covering the league’s outstanding debts at the time it filed for bankruptcy. In addition, with Vince McMahon loaning money instead of funding at the end and declaring himself a secured debtor (meaning he gets paid as precedence over unsecured debtors), that leaves even less money for all the companies owed money after the league closed up at the start of the pandemic.

The three were said to be equal partners, all putting up $5 million for 33.3 percent ownership. 

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Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson-led group buys XFL for $15 million

Posted on by Josh Nason

This story was updated at 5:30 PM Eastern.

It appears WWE legend and movie star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is attempting to take the theme of his HBO series Ballers and translate it into real life.

On Monday morning, news broke that a group led by Johnson has purchased the assets of Vince McMahon’s XFL for approximately $15 million, hours before an auction in bankruptcy court was set to begin. The deal, brokered by XFL president Jeffrey Pollack, is expected to be approved by the court on August 7th and close on August 21st.

Johnson’s ex-wife and business partner, Dany Garcia, is also an investor while Johnson and RedBird Capital’s Gerry Cardinale are each equal investors, splitting the $15 million investment. Cardinale’s group is a regular investor in sports properties and related businesses.

The Athletic’s Daniel Kaplan reported Monday afternoon that, “The XFL’s committee of unsecured creditors has filed an objection to The Rock deal over what is included in the sale.”

Based on the press release, the plan is to relaunch the league.

Johnson said, ““The acquisition of the XFL with my talented partners, Dany Garcia and Gerry Cardinale, is an investment for me that’s rooted deeply in two things – my passion for the game and my desire to always take care of the fans. With pride and gratitude for all that I’ve built with my own two hands, I plan to apply these callouses to the XFL, and look forward to creating something special for the players, fans, and everyone involved for the love of football.”

McMahon and his Alpha Entertainment group shut down the league in April due to the pandemic and filed for bankruptcy mid-month, listing assets and liabilities in the range of $10-$50 million. McMahon owned 100 percent of Class A shares and 76.5 percent of Class B shares, while WWE owned 23.5 percent of Class B shares. Reports indicate he was planning on investing up to $500 million in the first three years of the league’s relaunch.

The league had TV deals in place with both ESPN/ABC and Fox and Johnson has an existing relationship with NBC as they air his Titan Games show where he’s an executive producer.

Vince McMahon says he will not attempt to reclaim XFL

Posted on by Josh Nason

In a filing Tuesday in U.S. bankruptcy court, WWE chairman and now-former XFL owner Vince McMahon said he will not be a bidder to reclaim his football property.

The Athletic reported recently that sources indicated McMahon was going to make a run at the property and remaining league personnel were already contacting cities for a potential return. That raised concerns with unsecured creditors who thought McMahon was trying to do an end-around with the process without paying back league debtors.

That appears that will not be the case as he called any notion he would do so “inflammatory rhetoric and unsubstantiated accusations.” According to Ben Fischer of the Sports Business Journal, he made the decision last week.

McMahon also claimed he put in more than $200 million into the league relaunch, one that called it a season after just five games due to the pandemic. The league filed for bankruptcy in mid-April and former league commissioner Oliver Luck is suing McMahon in an effort to claim the majority of the millions he is owed on his contract.

Fischer noted that 20 bidders have submitted NDA agreements with another six planned to complete the process, indicating strong interest in the assets and a desire to relaunch in 2021.

May 25, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Death of Shad Gaspard

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

On 5/17, on the weekend the Southern California beaches were reopened, Shad Gaspard, wife Siliana, and ten-year-old son Aryeh headed to Marina del Rey beach in Venice, CA.

He and his son were body surfing about 50 yards from shore at 3:40 p.m. when a dangerous rip tide came. Lifeguards sprung into action. The lifeguards were able to save a number of swimmers. A lifeguard saw Shad and his son in the ocean. The lifeguard himself had to make a split second choice, a ten-year-old child and a huge adult, who to try and save first. One person close to the situation told us that in a split-second, you have to make choices and this choice was obvious.

But even if it wasn’t, Shad made sure it was. While struggling himself, he told the lifeguard to “take him,” waving, and pointing to his son. The lifeguard tried to deliver a rescue can, a buoy-like device to tow the boy back to shore, but with the size of the waves, Aryeh couldn’t grab onto it.

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