Daily Update: Charlotte Flair, Booker T, WWE 2K23

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

  • Match of the week and performer of the week
  • What records has the Royal Rumble 2023 already set and what records have a good chance to be set
  • Amazing advance for the show
  • The debate about the men’s winner and prior year comparisons
  • The Steve Austin question
  • The business of Peacock
  • Original Austin approach
  • Cody Rhodes return
  • Full rundown of Raw 30 and the giant ratings and how each segment did
  • Complaints by the Bellas about the show
  • Why certain segments of the show changed
  • The story behind WBD clearing Mark Briscoe and the reason that hasn’t come out why there were previous issues
  • Different ways AEW paid tribute to Briscoe
  • Update on family and fundraisers
  • A look at the Okada-Kiyomiya angle and the keys to it
  • The Muto retirement at the Tokyo Dome show
  • What the New Japan vs. NOAH show and other New Japan shows have shown about recovery of the business
  • UFC 283 coverage with the retirements of Shogun Rua and Glover Teixeira
  • What is next for Jamahal Hill and Brandon Moreno
  • Business notes on the show
  • A look at the life and career of Jose Aldo and his biggest fights including how one of his fights changed the entire direction of MMA for lighter weight fighters and was so successful the company closed up, as weird as that is to say
  • A look at more Japanese awards voting
  • The life of Benny Galant, a 60s star who passed away this week who was a major rival of the biggest names in the history of Mexican wrestling, including El Santo and Mil Mascaras, and twice set EMLL’s company gate records. This is a major history piece covering one of the biggest eras of wrestling in any country.
  • The most detailed look at the ratings from the past week
  • Streaming numbers, international numbers
  • Ticket advances for all AEW & WWE shows through WrestleMania
  • What could be CMLL’s best match of this year
  • The story behind Negro Casas jumping to AAA, how long has this been in the works, how long has Konnan wanted this and his duties outside the ring
  • A look at upcoming AAA major shows
  • Update on a number of upcoming major New Japan shows
  • What former WWE star is mad at Dwayne Johnson over his portrayal in Young Rock
  • 80s star arrested for a number of things
  • WBD head talks AEW and Slap Fighting
  • Behind the AEW new deal with DAZN
  • Lawsuit filed against AEW
  • Update on Kenny Omega
  • San Francisco records for wrestling
  • Conor McGregor investigation reported
  • Lots of big UFC fights announced
  • More on Luke Rockhold coming out of retirement
  • Famous MMA trainer will no longer corner fighters
  • Former pro wrestler talks about Slap Fighting and what he was offered
  • Update on Vince McMahon in the office
  • Another lawsuit filed against WWE regarding McMahon’s return and how two other suits were basically nullified
  • Notes on new NIL signings by WWE
  • WWE getting major mainstream pub
  • WWE injury updates
  • Weekend NXT & WWE house show notes

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 dave@wrestlingobserver.com or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

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.

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • While appearing on Out of Character with Ryan Satin, Charlotte Flair revealed that she had 22 stitches in her mouth during her wedding due to a failed dental implant:
          • I have three implants and one of them failed. Like a week before the wedding, literally a week before the wedding, the implant failed. So actually, during my ceremony, I had like 22 stitches [in my mouth], because they had to cut out the .. when it failed, it was an infection.
          • So over the summer, [I had] bone grafting, two gum grafting procedures. I mean, everyone was like, ‘Why were you gone? Why were you gone?’ Dental issues are hard to explain. It’s still not done. I’m probably going to have to replace that third implant that we tried to save.
  • Charlotte also discussed when she found out she was winning the SmackDown Women’s Championship in her return appearance:
          • I didn’t find out I was winning the title until I got there. I didn’t have gear with me. My amazing cleaning lady brought me my gear. I should have known better – I’m coming to a wrestling show, and I just brought my outfit. I thought it was just going to be a walkout surprise because I had been gone for so long, I really didn’t need there to be any major fireworks. But when I got there, they were like, ‘You need your gear.’ I got the call at maybe 5-ish [pm] that I needed gear, right before I got to the arena. She got to the arena around 7 or 7:15 [pm].
  • On his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T reacted to Seth Rollins calling CM Punk a “cancer.” Booker T said:
          • He was shooting 100 percent. I’m just glad I didn’t have to say it. I’m just glad people can’t look at me now and be like I’m a hater. I keep my mouth shut, my momma always told me if you don’t have something good to say about somebody, don’t say nothing at all. You hear other guys that have been around the business, that feel and speak the same way about Phil Brooks and it’s because of being around him.
  • Sami Zayn posted a photo of him throwing some of his Bloodline memorabilia in the trash.
  • WWE Shop has a new Zayn T-shirt with “Zayn” duct taped over Sami Uso.
  • The official gameplay trailer for WWE 2K23 was released today.
  • Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will be a presenter at the 2023 Grammys this Sunday. Johnson tweeted: “An absolute honor to present the most prestigious award in music. What a stage. What a night. What a celebration of music and amazing performances! Join us THIS SUN! *breakin’ out the tequila early”
  • Dave Bautista was interviewed on “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon last night. Bautista also took part in a comedy sketch on the show.
  • Amazon Prime Video has secured the rights to “Ricky Stanicky,” a comedy starring John Cena and Zac Efron. The movie is being directed by Peter Farrelly.
  • Cody Rhodes and Grayson Waller were guests on WWE’s The Bump this afternoon.

AEW/Other Wrestling