Daily Update: Becky Lynch, Manu, Kenny Omega

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Topics covered in this loaded issue:

  • Match of the week and performer of the week
  • WWE cuts in the office and of talent
  • The surprise cut of Mustafa Ali that clearly wasn’t planned in advance
  • Why the releases were done and how they were picked
  • Who has the most potential to go to AEW
  • The employees meeting and what was said
  • The SmackDown television deal with USA and the entire landscape of television in 2025 and what it could be
  • Why the stock dropped so dramatically
  • How much less is Vince McMahon worth than was projected just two weeks ago
  • The history of prime time shows on NBC
  • The return of Dwayne Johnson
  • What storyline was originally created for The Rock
  • More major office cuts
  • Noteworthy business notes on both UFC and WWE including revenue, profits and how the companies are similar and different
  • The life and times of Terry Funk
  • A look at his craziest ideas
  • Funk’s different roles in wrestling
  • Mick Foley and Tommy Dreamer comment on Funk
  • Funk’s questioning of his past
  • How Funk played the part in creating a 47-year-old institution in wrestling
  • The most famous Terry Funk retirement match
  • The Hogan-Terry Funk hotel room story
  • Funk’s first trip to Japan
  • Funk’s legendary Japanese matches
  • The formation of All Japan Pro Wrestling
  • The roles of the Funks in Amarillo
  • Doing police work
  • Funk’s WWF run
  • The Amarillo territory
  • Terry as the brother of the world champion
  • Death of Dory Funk Sr.
  • Terry wins the NWA world title
  • Why Terry Funk never challenged Bob Backlund for the WWF title
  • Highlights of the world title run
  • Terry Funk vs. Dusty Rhodes and the never ending storyline
  • Terry Funk in the movies and television
  • The wrestling war in Japan
  • Funk goes to FMW against Onita
  • Arena Mexico anniversary show
  • New books available from us
  • The match that made news all over the world this past week
  • UFC Noche coverage of Shevchenko vs. Grasso
  • Lots of notes on the scoring of the main event
  • Deaths of Emile Dupree and Bart Sawyer
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of the past week
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Ospreay vs. Marufuji
  • More on AEW television negotiations
  • More AEW major shows over the next year
  • PPV updated numbers
  • Lots of new major UFC fights
  • Raw has even greater competition this year
  • Los Angeles Times story on Vince McMaon
  • WWE goes to Australia for Elimination Chamber
  • XFL/USFL merger talks
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • WWE house show coverage

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:

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Wednesday Update

WWE

  • The New York post asked Becky Lynch what becoming NXT Women’s Champion meant to her:
          • It very much wasn’t about checking boxes. It was one of those things where there was a little bit of proving to myself how far I’ve come along, writing those wrongs of the past, being very much seen as the fourth Horsewomen. Being in line for title shots in NXT out of circumstances, but not because I was actually the one, but because I happened to be there at the right time. So being able to go back and win that and feel like I vindicated my younger self is very, very nice. But really I think the main thing for me is elevating the NXT title, elevating the NXT brand and being able to work with the younger talent that will have the opportunity to go for a main event of WrestleMania, things that weren’t in place when I was in NXT.
          • I feel like when I’m able to do that, when I’m able to work with these women that want to go there then it only brings them up. It only elevates them. It only shows them what they’re missing, that they have to do. And then it shows me how good the future is and that makes me excited and at times puts a little bit of chip on my shoulder and lets me know I’m still the top dog around here and I’m gonna fight all of y’all.
  • Lynch also discussed being able to work with up-and-coming wrestlers in NXT:
          • I love being able to be in that position. I love getting to work with different people and people that are hungry, people that are trying to come up and be great and trying to impart whatever knowledge that I have.
          • When we were coming up, myself, Charlotte, Sasha [Banks], Bayley, with all credit to the women who had been here as great as they were they have never been in the spots that we have been in. Seth Rollins was able to work with John Cena. John Cena was able to work with Edge and all these people got to learn from people that have been in the spots that they want to get into. We never had all of that. We were kind of learning as we go, learning from each other. I think getting to be in the ring with people who have been where you want to go accelerated that process.
  • Roman Reigns has been announced for WWE’s house show at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri on Saturday, October 14. It’s advertised that Reigns will defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Sami Zayn.
  • Jade Cargill told SI FanNation about the goals she has in WWE:
          • I understand what I’m here for. I want to capture gold and I want to headline WrestleMania, but none of that is handed out. I want to work to create those phenomenal moments. I want to have marquee matches, I want to get people talking, and I want to create something bigger than myself.
          • I came here to work with the best women’s wrestlers in the world. That’s what I am here for. I would have never embarked on this journey if it weren’t for the leadership qualities this company has. The phenomenal coaching staff, too. I want to come in, get even better, make people’s mouths drop, and have these dream matches. I want to pull people into wrestling. I want to pull people from the outside into wrestling, and I want to get them to stay.
  • Mickie James thinks it would benefit Cargill to spend some time in NXT:
          • I think it would benefit her greatly to spend some time in that system, because she has learned on TV.. she has learned on AEW TV. There are two different locker rooms, they’re ran two different ways, the companies are ran two entirely different ways.
          • It’s like going from here in the US wrestling to Japan. A lot of people need to spend some time, work the dojos, all that stuff, before they just go over and become a star, because it’s two different.. apples and oranges, two different things.
  • Grayson Waller told The Ringer Wrestling Show that no one in NXT knew who Nigel McGuinness was besides him and Andre Chase:
          • No one knew who Nigel McGuinness was [at NXT]. There was two people – myself, Andre Chase. So Nigel McGuinness would sit backstage at NXT shows and no one will go talk to him. Me and Andre Chase would go and sit with him and we would pester him because we know Nigel. We know how good Nigel is…They thought he was a commentator. They thought he was a commentator. These dumb shotputters from Arizona State or wherever had no idea. So me and Andre Chase, we get like basically like a seminar with Nigel McGuinness whenever we want it you know, it was a treat. I missed having him around. He always had really strong advice, like real advice. No, he wouldn’t mess around, he’s not faking me out in a ‘good job buddy.’ Like he’s going to tell me how it is, that’s what I always enjoy.
  • Episode two of Scarlett and Shotzi’s Chamber of Horrors series is now available on WWE’s YouTube channel. Scarlett, Shotzi, and Karrion Kross “spend the night at Bobby Mackey’s Music World, the most haunted night club in America.”
  • Muscle and Health has a story on Liv Morgan. In the interview, Morgan confirmed that she’s out of action with an injury:
          • I’m actually out injured right now and aside from healing up, my focus has been on my nutrition, so it’s been really exciting honing in on that. I want to come back in the very best shape of my life, so right now, I am eating clean, tons of fresh fruits and veggies. I’m basing my carb intake on the amount of physicality and energy I expend each day. I do believe life is about balance, though, so I still order a cheeky little dessert with dinner sometimes.
  • Rey Mysterio, Bobby Lashley, and The Street Profits appeared on WWE’s The Bump this afternoon.
  • WWE wished Cathy Kelley a happy 35th birthday.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help Manu (Afa Anoa’i Jr.) after he was hospitalized last weekend. Manu has “a severe and unexpected complex cardiac issue.”
          • I am writing to ask for help for my brother and hero, Afa Anoa’i Jr. He is currently fighting for his life at the moment. Afa was rushed to the hospital on Saturday, September 23rd finding out that he has a severe and unexpected complex cardiac issue. He went through many tests and major cardiac procedures. His heart injection fraction is only working at 35% and his heart is filling with fluid by the hours. Afa has an extremely long road to recovery. He has major medical bills, and medications needed. So we are asking for any help that you can give. My brother is so young and unexplainable for him to be going through this is at 38 years old. Afa has two amazing and bright children that need their father. Afa has such a vibrant and loving personality, and has always been there for those in need. Afa always has been that guy to go above and beyond for everyone, and is loved by many.
          • Any medical crisis like this always entails major medical expenses for both him and his family. So we are fundraising to ensure that Afa and his family have the support they need to defray those expenses, and also put Afa on the road to recovery. Anyone who knows my brother Afa, knows what an extraordinary person he is. At this time, I ask that we show up for him the way that he would always show up for us.
  • Kenny Omega criticized how some fans have reacted to Jade Cargill leaving AEW for WWE: “This may be news to a lot of fans out there,but when one wrestler goes from one company to another, we tend to always wish them the best and cheer for them while they embark on their new journey. Genuinely. It’s embarrassing and shameful that some fans aren’t capable of the same.”
  • The Acclaimed and Swerve Strickland posted pictures with University of Colorado football coach Deion Sanders.
  • Albert El Patron is replacing Penta El Zero Miedo at Lucha Libre AAA’s Heroes Inmortales show this Sunday. Penta is missing the AAA show because it’s on the same day as AEW WrestleDream.
  • Second Gear Crew (Mance Warner & Matthew Justice) will face The Calling (Cannonball & Talon) in a Chamber of Horrors match at MLW Slaughterhouse on Saturday, October 14. The show is airing live on Fite+.
  • Leon Slater has been announced for Impact Wrestling’s UK Invasion tour. It’s taking place from October 26-29.
  • Gabbi Tuft was a guest on Talk is Jericho.
  • AEW wrestler Leyla Hirsch turns 27 years old today.