Daily Update: CM Punk, Ronda Rousey, NXT

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is up on the site right now:

  • What did people think of Full Gear as compared to the other AEW PPVs of late
  • Performers and match of the week
  • Lots of good and bad thoughts on Swerve Strickland vs. Adam Page
  • A look at WWE vs. AEW when it comes to free agent signings of late
  • What Will Ospreay will and won’t mean for AEW
  • Full details of why Ronda Rousey appeared on the ROH show this week and it’s not what you think
  • Who is the top free agent out there right now
  • Thoughts on the MJF/Cole/White/Gunns storyline
  • Realities of AEW’s enemies and how the Strickland vs. Page match fits into that discussion
  • Logic issues and creative license in wrestling
  • Impromptu and using instinct in reacting when things mess up in a match
  • Why Ospreay signed with AEW and why it was announced this week
  • PPV numbers early on and what is says about more PPV shows
  • Live show business notes
  • Theater business notes
  • Full match coverage
  • Sorting out the Bellator/PFL deal and looking at the business aspect, top talent, show plans, next two PPV show ideas and more
  • Company talks 2024 schedule plans for Bellator and PFL
  • The top fighters under contract at this point to the new group
  • Hall of Fame updates and reaction to last week’s issue
  • Greatest tag teams of all-time
  • A look at a likely 2024 ballot
  • A look at Survivor Series plans, plus public demand and interest level
  • A look in depth at the Continental Classic, the good and bad of it
  • A look at this last week’s UFC show and notes about future shows
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings over the past week, the segment-by-segment, changes in each group, competition, and where wrestling stands in the weekly numbers
  • World title match doesn’t get over on major show and why
  • Promotion running a business deal with major company to get major discount on a famous product
  • New team will be taking over the name of one of the best tag teams in history
  • Major changes in Stardom hierarchy and what happened to lead to it
  • Stardom titles vacant and steps on filling those vacancies
  • Stardom PPV rundown
  • Fantastica Mania 2024 notes
  • What dream match was planned for January in California and where it stands right now
  • New Japan tag tournament notes
  • All Japan tag team tournament notes
  • A look back at one mystery in the death of WCW
  • Wrestlers suspended for working an unlicensed show
  • Full details on Ronda Rousey’s appearance at AEW show in Los Angeles
  • Young Bucks repackaging
  • Darby climbing Mount Everest and details
  • What day will a number of new free agents be available
  • Looking at the ones AEW could sign
  • Two new rulings in Cung Le case and what kind of money figures are being bandied about
  • A look at WWE arena business and future show ticket sales, has it peaked, what does future say
  • AEW future ticket sales
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • Reigns next match and who it’s not with
  • Levesque booking philosophy
  • A look at the WWE & NXT house shows over the past week
  • Notes on December television schedule for both AEW and WWE including a show not airing, and a double taping planned

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.

Tuesday Update

WWE

AEW & Other Wrestling

  • Cody Rhodes commented on QT Marshall’s resignation from AEW, writing on X: “Did the work – was essential in making so many memories for fans & has been so instrumental in helping countless wrestlers. A pros’ PRO. We almost became friends ha. I can’t wait to see what you do next! An OG and outstanding “num 2” through his tenure. Congratulations QT on the run so far.”
  • Swerve Strickland has shared a trailer of his upcoming film debut, “Night of the Missing”, which is now available on Amazon and Screambox TV.
  • Killswitch (the former Luchasaurus) has filed to trademark his new name, while Chris Jericho has filed to trademark the term ‘gas wrestling’.
  • Kip Sabian was on Fightful’s In The Weeds podcast.
  • An AEW meet and greet will take place at the Target Center on Wednesday at 12 pm CT featuring Kris Statlander, Matt Taven, Roderick Strong, and Mike Bennett.
  • Dustin Rhodes opened up about his recovery from alcohol and drug addiction on X: We are only human and everybody has their own dis functions and problems. If I could say anything to anybody who is struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, I would say HOPE. As a recovering alcoholic/drug addict, it took a hard rock bottom and a spiritual awakening to show me that I needed help. I had had enough and wanted my life back. I had to work hard to get it back. I know its scary, but, like myself, I needed and got help. It is out there for everyone. Accountability, recognize you have a problem, ask for help. It’s tough but once you get on the other side, it rewards 10 fold. You CANNOT DO IT ALONE. I love you.”
  • Ronda Rousey wrote about her ROH match on Instagram, praising Athena and Billie Starkz: “Apparently kneeing people in the face is great for your hair – @marinashafir is that a smile I see? Thank you @athenapalmer_fg and @billie_starkz for being down to get down at the very last minute, you ladies are killing it.”
  • Bryan Danielson on X: My dad always told me, “The right thing is often the hardest thing to do. It won’t always make the most money. It won’t always be the most popular. But it’s still the right thing. #AEW”
  • Madame Tussauds is adding three The Rock wax figures at its Berlin, Amsterdam, and Dubai locations.
  • “This is so cool and fun!,” The Rock said in a statement. “Three new Rock wax figures and nine total all around the world- London, Asia, New York, Hollywood, LA, Orlando and now Berlin, Amsterdam, and Dubai. Wow, that’s a lot of bald head and tattoos. I love meeting my fans all around the world and my Madame Tussauds figures are the next best thing to connecting with you. Come join me at Madame Tussauds, let’s raise some mana together and say cheers to gratitude, good times and nine Rock wax figures that are much cooler than the real human himself.”
  • New NJPW announcer Walker Stewart talked to Fightful on how the opportunity came about.