Daily Update: Cain Velasquez, weekend preview, Tony Khan pays tribute to Joe Koff

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Friday Update

– A few notes on the Wrestling Observer Radio shows. We have the first of likely two Hall of Fame shows today, with John Muse and Ethan Tyler, both of who have done a lot of research on the subject. My weekend show with Bryan Alvarez will be up Sunday night this week.

– The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is out today. Among the highlights:

  • The life of Joe Koff and how his influence on the current wrestling scene is so underplayed. From being a childhood fan of Bruno Sammartino, heading the production on the original Battle of the Belts series, saving ROH at least twice, and providing a place where many of today’s biggest stars were able to make a living while building resumes that led them to the top in WWE and essentially the building blocks of the formation of AEW, and the success of All In. We look at his life and career both in and out of the wrestling business.
  • Bryan Danielson retires from full-time wrestling, his future and how this played out on WrestleDream.
  • A look at WrestleDream, the business of the show, the rundown and polls.
  • More details on the AEW television deal, what it does and doesn’t cover, prospects for other deals, the economics, attempting to rebuild attendance at shows, the Mexico deal, international prospects going forward and more.
  • Zack Sabre Jr. wins IWGP title while Hiroshi Tanahahashi provides a retirement countdown. Plus a look at the future NJPW lineups, Tokyo Dome prospects and King of Pro Wrestling coverage.
  • The Gegard Mousasi lawsuit and the latest attempt to get a court to rule on the independent contractor vs. employee status.
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of all the wrestling shows, placings for the night and week, competition, year-by-year comparisons and more.
  • When did star ratings for wrestling matches begin? The answer will surprise you.
  • Santo draws the biggest indie crowd of the year.
  • Jimmy Jacobs leaves AEW.
  • Bob Ryder and the birth of TNA.
  • International TV ratings.
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows.
  • Fighters depositions in Cung Le lawsuit.
  • UFC TV rights news.
  • Major UFC stars say they want to come out of retirement.
  • How much WWE & UFC are expected to produce this year in revenue.
  • New WWE project with Netflix.
  • Update on Netflix ratings for the two wrestling shows.

– Cain Velasquez was to be sentenced today after pleading no contest to attempted murder and gun related charges. But the sentencing was postponed to early 2025. Velasquez remains free, with restrictions. He is expected to face some time in his sentencing when he went on an 11 mile high speed chase after Harry Goularte, the man accused of molesting Velasquez’s four-year-old a the time son, and fired shots at the car, one of which hit driver Paul Benader (Goularte’s stepfather) in the arm.

– Tony Khan on Joe Koff: “Joe Koff was a wonderful man. I enjoyed every interaction I had with him. He worked hard to develop Ring of Honor wrestling, and he fought to keep ROH in business. When times were tough, he came to me years ago, looking to sell the promotion and help people at ROH keep their jobs, and I was very touched by his dedication. It’s due to Joe Koff’s commitment that ROH continues today. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones at this terrible time. God bless you Joe Rest in peace.”

– SmackDown tonight on USA:

  • Angel & Berto vs. ? (believed to be Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley in their debut)
  • Carmelo Hayes vs. Andrade – winner gets a U.S.title shot at LA Knight
  • Roman Reigns and Randy Orton appear

– Rampage tonight on TNT at 10 p.m.

  • Mark Briscoe vs. The Butcher non-title
  • Kyle O’Reilly vs. Aaron Solo
  • Anna Jay vs. Trish Adora
  • Private Party vs. MxM Collection

– We’re looking for reports on these shows:

  • WWE Smackdown tonight in Columbia, SC (the matches not on live TV only)
  • RevPro tomorrow in Doncaster UK.
  • New Japan Royal Quest Sunday in London at the Crystal Palace.

We’re looking for results, finishes and highlights to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

– PFL has its biggest show to date of ESPN+ and DAZN PPV tomorrow from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:

1:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+ and DAZN as the free show

  • Tariq Ismail (145.1) vs. Taha Bendaoud (145.5)
  • Ibragi Ibragimov (145.5) vs. Nacho Campos (145.9)
  • Makkasharip Zaynukov (155.6) vs. Derek Sanders (154.9)
  • Raufeon Stots (135.8) vs. Marcos Breno (136)

4 p.m. Eastern on PPV

  • AJ McKee (155.8) vs Paul Hughes (155.8)
  • Husein Kadimagomaev (146) vs. Zafar Mohsen (145.8)
  • Johnny Eblen (184.7) vs. Fabian Edwards (184.9) for Bellator middleweight title
  • Cris Cyborg (144.5) vs. Larissa Pacheco (144.1) for the women’s featherweight Superfight title
  • Francis Ngannou (256.8) vs. Renan Ferreira (251.5) for the heavyweight Superfight title

– Stardom on Sunday will have an eight-women’s Battle Royal where the last two left in will be part of a four-way number one contender’s match at NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed on 11/8 in Lowell, MA. Anna Jay has already been confirmed for the number one contender’s match. The winner gets the next shot at NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone.

– The PFL world championship show will take place 11/29 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The card has:

  • Dakota Ditcheva vs. Taila Santos in the women’s flyweight tournament final
  • Brendan Loughnane vs. Timur Khizriev in the featherweight tournament final
  • Brent Primus vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov in the lightweight tournament final
  • Shamil Mosaev vs Magomed Umalatov in the welterweight tournament final
  • Impa Kasanganay vs. Dovietdzhan Yaghimuradov in the light heavyweight tournament final
  • Denis Goltsov vs. Oleg Popov in the heavyweight tournament final
  • All winners will receive $1 million.

– UFC is a pure ESPN+ show from the Apex tomorrow from 4-10 p.m. Eastern:

  • Austen Lane (251) vs Robelis Despaigne (264)
  • Melissa Martinez (115.5) vs. Alice Ardelean (115)
  • Jessica Penne (115.5) vs. Elise Reed (115)
  • Joselyne Edwards (139) vs. Tamires Vidal (135.5) – Edwards missed weight by three pounds. The penalty she will face is unclear at this point.
  • Brad Katona (135.5) vs. Jean Matsumoto (135.5)
  • Matheus Nicolau (125.5) vs. Asu Aimabayev (125.5)
  • Darren Elkins (144.5) vs. Daniel Pineda (145.5)
  • Jake Hadley (135.5) vs. Cameron Smotherman (135.5)’
  • Charles Johnson (126) vs. Sumudaerji (126)
  • Rob Font (135.5) vs. Kyler Philliops (135.5)
  • Anthony Hernandez (185.5) vs. Michel Pereira (185.5)

– MLW announced a Fan Fest from 6-6:45 p.m. local time at Cicero Stadium prior to its 11/9 event. Announced for the Fan Fest are CMLL headliners Mistico, Ultimo Guerrero, Atlantis, Altantis Jr., Hechicero, Averno, Titan and Magnus. You have to have a ticket for the show to attend the fan fest.

– Maple Leaf Wrestling debuts with shows on Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. Eastern on Triller TV from Windsor, ONT.

  • The big matches on day one are Mike Bailey vs. Konosuke Takeshita, Gisele Shaw vs. Miyu Yamashita and Josh Alexander & Stu Grason & El Phantasmo vs. Trevor Lee & Rocky Romero & Alex Zayne.
  • Sunday has Athena vs. Gisele Shaw for the ROH women’s title, and Takeshita vs. Alexander for the AEW International title.
  • Mauro Ranallo and Don Callis will be announcers.

– Tony Atlas and Fred Ottman will be appearing for Memphis Wrestling on its 10/27 taping.

– Jeff Hardy and Joe Hendry are in concert on 10/27 at the TNA show in Detroit at Wayne State University. This would be before the TV tapings the day after Bound for Glory, starting at 4:30 p.m.

– Toni Storm vs. Catalina and Zeuxis vs. Persephone in the finals of the Universal tournament headline an Arena Mexico show tonight that features four women’s matches out of six, including Lluvia & Tessa Blanchard defending the CMLL world women’s tag titles against Ungai Sayaka & Suika Yanagawa. Alex Windsor, Red Velvet and Viva Van are also on the show.

– Lexis King will wrestle Skrilla the Great on the 10/26 Deep South show in Atlanta at New Realm Brewing.

– Boca Raton Wrestling on Sunday at the Renaissance Boca Raton Hotel with Matt Riddle Stallion Rogers, Bull James, Kerry Morton, Madman Fulton, Bobby Fish, EJ Nduka and AJ Francis.