Daily Update
Latest News:
WWE NXT ratings up for start of Women's title tournamentEndeavor CEO Ari Emanuel talks WWE acquisition, using UFC’s formulaAEW, WBD to announce new TV rights deal next WednesdayMark Briscoe says AEW run is a gift from Jay BriscoeColby Corino details why he's not under WWE contractSting potentially involved with Goldberg retirement tour show in IsraelAEW to debut at Boston's TD Garden
Latest Audio:
Wrestling Observer Live: AEW TV deal rumors and what is confirmed, NXT TV report, moreDragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: The last great Memphis angleBryan & Vinny & Craig & Shawn Show: Granny segment plus RAW S2:E18 with Yokozuna vs. Earthquake Sumo MatchWe're Live, Pal: AEW All In tickets, Brock is a bad dude
Latest Free YouTube Video:
Join us in Las Vegas for our annual F4W Convention
This Week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter:
May 8, 2023 Observer Newsletter: AEW All In ticket sales shattering records, 2023 WWE Draft results
Highlights include:
*Match of the week and performer of the week
*AEW All In sets records, and looking at the biggest crowds in pro wrestling history and how this compares, what we've earned about ticketing, what records are within reach and what records are not, as well as the biggest crowds ever in Europe and a man named Jim Londos.
*Evaluating the WWE draft. We look at the depth charts of both brands, questions being asked, will the brand split really be what they say (of course it won't long run), looking at the NXT talent brought up and more.
*A look at WWE business including heavy quotes from Nick Khan and Paul Levesque on the current state of the business, how much WWE is looking a cutting with the merger with UFC, Khan talks about working under Endeavor.
*Levesque talks the booking of talent
*WrestleMania business notes
*How many people watch Raw or Smackdown on a weekly basis, and the number is far more than you think
*Plans for another major overseas event on hold
*WWE Backlash notes
*Looking at the last three months of wrestling numbers and how it compares with television as a whole
*New Japan Dontaku full coverage as well as the next month of New Japan major shows
*Gable Steveson and others who have done pro wrestling and then gone back to amateur wrestling including the top worker of the 80s who the Olympics banned from competing due to an archaic rule
*Full Saturday UFC coverage
*Pro Wrestling NOAH runs Sumo Hall and the matches and angles
*The most detailed look at pro wrestling ratings, as well s where the changes were, competition and what can be learned from them
*CMLL Champion of Champions tournament
*Major League baseball players go to Arena Mexico
*Unique new idea for running pro wrestling shows explained and talks of it going t the U.S.
*Why a world title recently changed hands
*A new jump that hasn't happened but essentially is about to
*Champion Carnival tournament goes to the finals
*Will Ospreay's future
*70s and 80s star returning to the ring
*Vikingo goes to Australia
*Lots of changes coming to AEW
*Update on plans for the new and revamped AEW television plans
*Hire of Will Washington
*Update on Double or Nothing show
*Lots of competition of AEW next week
*DVR viewership of AEW
*Advance ticket sales for WWE and AEW shows
*Jon Jones talks future
*Lots of new UFC fights
*Bare Knuckle Boxing business notes
*Bare Knuckle MMA shows coming
*More on gold medalist signing with WWE
*Other gold medalists WWE has signed over the years
*WWE star headed to realty competition show
*Injury updates
*Writer talks about the WWE culture
*International TV numbers and streaming numbers
This Week's Retro Observer Newsletter:
March 20, 2006 Observer Newsletter: TNA Impact loses primetime slot, pro wrestling interest decline
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Click Here: Cardiff Blues StoreWednesday Update
WWE
In an interview with JOE, YouTuber KSI was asked if he’ll ever join WWE: “Probably not. I don’t mind like appearing here and there, but I won’t be joining WWE man. Big up all the wrestlers at WWE, but that sh*t is way too much for me. I can’t take that many bumps. [laughs] I’d much rather just watch it.”Trish Stratus was the guest on the latest episode of Out of Character. During the appearance, she spoke about it not being a guarantee that a women’s match will headline WrestleMania every year:I always look at it, like I don't want you to look at it as 'a women's match,' I want you to look at it as like this storyline should culminate to this match, to this WrestleMania moment. I feel like a lot of it is all about our story and our characters and taking our fans on a journey to get them to a certain point. I don't think it depends on like the, 'Let's make sure we get the token women's match,' I don't want to be the token women's match, I want to be viewed as like, 'I want my match, regardless of our gender to be the match that because of the storyline, because of the characters, because of the interest, and because they know what the fans want.' So it is an interesting take on it, right? It's not guaranteed, but it's also like, it's not guaranteed that Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn would be in the main event, but because of their storyline, hard work, and commitment to their story and characters. That's what brought them to the dance. You know what I mean?On NXT last night, a teaser video for NXT’s mystery parking lot attacker aired. The video showed a hooded figure watching footage of the attacks.AJ Styles, Michin, and Shotzi appeared on WWE’s The Bump this afternoon.Big E will be a guest on The Bump next Wednesday.Billboard interviewed Raquel Rodriguez & Liv Morgan.William Regal turns 55 years old today.WWE’s YouTube channel uploaded the following matches: Team Angle vs. Eddie Guerrero & Tajiri ladder match for the WWE Tag Team titles (Judgment Day 2003), Finn Balor vs. Austin Theory for the United States title (April 18, 2022 Raw), and AJ Styles vs. Cedric Alexander for the United States title (Clash of Champions 2019 pre-show).
AEW/Other Wrestling
Eddie Kingston posted a photo on Instagram yesterday confirming that he underwent hernia surgery.Ahead of House of Black’s Trios title defense against Bandido & Best Friends on Dynamite tonight, Buddy Matthews clarified the Open House rules:Under house rules the following applies1. 20 seconds count outs:Because you will not be safe on the outside, you will not run away when it gets hard.. we force you to be harder or force you to cave under the pressure.2. No rope escapes:Because the true nature of man is measured in its ability to withstand pain. There is no easy way out. You will fight or submit.3. DQ is enforced:You break the tradition you forfit your chance. The entire world will watch as you admit you do not have what it takes and must Live with this embarrassment your entire life.4. Dealers choice:you decide what the last rule is. Why? Because it’s fair. And balance is all we haveNight one of this year’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament will stream for free live on NJPW World with English commentary available. The show is taking place this Friday (May 12).Gunner (formerly known as Jaxson Ryker in WWE) announced that he’ll be retiring from in-ring competition after an August 27 indie event: “But I do feel like, man, it’s time to step away. Not necessarily doesn’t mean I won’t do guest ref spots or sign some autographs or use it as a ministry. But the in-ring action is just — I think it’s time to step away just because of injuries… it’s just gotten to a point to where I think I’m ready to press on into a new career and being 40, almost 41, I’ve been blessed. I’ve had an amazing, amazing career. What else do I have left to prove? Go work some indie shows and get hurt? I just can’t do it.”A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help Black Bart as he battles stage four cancer.Saraya was interviewed on the most recent episode of Wilde On with Taylor Wilde.