Daily Update: CM Punk, Joseann Offerman, MLW/WWE

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The longest issue in our history. Among the highlights are:

  • Match and performer of the week
  • A preview of what will be among the biggest if not the biggest pro wrestling news story of 2024, the upcoming contract deals for both all the AEW television shows and WWE Raw. We go through details of talks that have taken place, potential homes for both shows, what would be best for AEW and why those situations are unlikely, past history of rights talks, where WBD stands, momentum, money figures, ROH, discrepancy in household wealth of AEW Dynamite viewers vs. Raw & Smackdown viewers, what AEW would need to be home free financially and very profitable, value of AEW and how it can change and much more
  • Update on Kenny Omega
  • What we do and don’t know and may never know about the WWE lawsuit settlement with MLW
  • Promotions in Japan unite together
  • Notes on the Iron Claw movie including a review
  • Notes on the business for the major AEW & WWE PPV shows over the next few months
  • UFC 296 full coverage
  • Political leanings of WWE & UFC fans
  • Tokyo Sports Japanese wrestling awards for 2023 and the politics involved in the decision making and why some obvious choices didn’t even get considered
  • Full coverage of ROH Final Battle, NXT Deadline and recent television
  • The career of Japanese star Osamu Kido, who passed away recently, including highlights and the period he go a major push and why
  • Update on Liv Morgan’s arrest
  • The most complete look at the ratings over the past week, including demo, competition and segment-by-segment
  • International ratings and streaming numbers
  • Andrade returns to Arena Mexico
  • Stardom big show this coming week
  • Former New Japan star debuts for All Japan
  • Jan. 2 NOAH major show card
  • Wrestle Kingdom update
  • 60th anniversary of the death of Rikidozan, one of the biggest stars in history
  • Will Ospreay’s last match of 2023 and his final independent match before starting with AEW announced
  • Tony Khan talks social media negativity
  • Rocky Romero talks CMLL and AEW relationship
  • Ticket sales for upcoming AEW & WWE events as well as Impact and NJPW U.S. events
  • Major question regarding non-UFC MMA fighters under contract and if they’ll get enough fights in 2024
  • WWE Speed concept
  • Notes on WWE Hall of Fame
  • WWE stock value

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Tuesday Update

WWE

  • CM Punk thanked fans ahead of his WWE in-ring return at Tuesday’s house show at Madison Square Garden on Instagram Stories. “Grateful for all the fans who have carried me to my greatest moments. Thankful for the legends that paved the roads I travel. I wouldn’t be who I am without all of you. Thank you. “So goes the Garden, so goes the business”.
  • Punk also talked briefly to WWE’s social media about returning to Madison Square Garden in a wrestling capacity before the show.
  • The United States District Court in the Northern district of California has officially dismissed the MLW lawsuit against WWE after both parties came to a settlement that was filed with the Court on December 22, officially closing the lawsuit.
  • Prime Video has a preview video for 2024, which includes a look at John Cena’s upcoming Road House remake.
  • The Miz talked to TMZ Sports, talking up the idea of the Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce and his brother Jason doing a WWE match.
  • Free matches added to WWE’s YouTube today include Cody Rhodes vs. Booker T from the December 26, 2011 edition of Raw, Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens from the December 26, 2016 episode of Raw, and CM Punk vs. Randy Orton from Extreme Rules 2011.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • Joseann Offerman wrote on Instagram:” Merry Christmas Eve my love. It’s been 4 months without you and it still gets harder. Especially now, because Christmas was your thing. You LOVED going all out for the kids. You did the shopping and I did the wrapping. That was our routine. And you got the coolest s*** I swear lol trying to do Christmas the way you would have has been so hard. And I’ve broken down every single day. I miss you so much. The kids miss you so much. We wish you were here. But I know you’re here in spirit and I hope I made you proud baby. I love you more than words Windham, forever.”
  • Today marks the three year anniversary of the passing of Jon Huber, best known as Brodie Lee. AEW reposted their tribute video.
  • The Rock wished everyone a Merry Christmas dressed up as his infamous black turtleneck picture from the 90.
  • This week’s Being The Dark Order.
  • AEW stars share their favorite holiday movies.
  • Post Wrestling talked to Renee Paquette.
  • The New York Post released their 2023 Awards in pro wrestling.
  • The former Top Dolla, AJ Francis, announced that Cheez-Its has signed him to represent the MVP title at the Citrus Bowl on January 1.