Daily Update: Dana White-CM Punk, Bandido, new AEW Collision match

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Observer is up on the site:

  • Match of the week and performer of the week
  • What readers thought of Survivor Series and best and worst matches
  • CM Punk’s return, whatever details are available, what history teaches, the WWE creative process and next programs
  • What was and wasn’t real after the show
  • Previous talks of Punk in WWE and how they went down
  • Punk’s return promo and why he didn’t say what many thought he would say
  • Tony Khan’s thoughts and statements
  • The most detailed look at the 2023 AEW business, revenue, PPV, Wembley, ticket sales, projections for 2024 and the biggest story relating to AEW of the next year
  • Value of AEW
  • What revenue streams will be expected to grow and others that probably won’t over the next year
  • Issues with the weekend shows
  • Thoughts on 2024 in the ring and beyond
  • Will Ospreay
  • Issues involving other suitors for TV other than WBD
  • Full coverage of Survivor Series
  • All the business notes, record
  • What WWE show did an amazing number of late buys
  • Full details of the two stockholder lawsuits regarding the Endeavor/WWE deal and the key points they are arguing
  • The sad story of Tammy Sytch, a one-time pre-med student whose life was a mess for so long and an innocent person died as a result. A look at her career, that of Chris Candido, a rise at a young age and fall
  • Being the Elite is no more, a look at a show that changed wrestling history when it comes to NJPW in the U.S., ROH’s best period ever and even the formation of AEW. A look at the first All In, early episodes, what stars took off because of the show and more
  • Absolute Andy, the stunning death of a German independent star who wrestled with and against many of the biggest in-ring stars of this generation
  • Update on how many homes the key stations that air pro wrestling and MMA reach
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for every show over the past week, how the segments did, demos did, comparison to a year ago, how CM Punk moved the Monday numbers and Randy Orton’s segments as well, competition and how badly Thanksgiving week hurt wrestling numbers
  • AAA and Impact join forces for a TV taping for both groups
  • First AAA show of 2024
  • Stardom PPV lineup and build to one of the biggest events of the year
  • All Japan tag team tournament and junior tournament notes
  • NOAH’s first show of the new year and coverage of this past week’s biggest shows
  • Okada pushes for Tokyo Dome main event
  • New Japan tag team tournament notes
  • Mercedes Mone update and thoughts
  • WrestleCade coverage
  • WWE group returns on indies
  • Promotions headed to Germany to piggy back off WWE’s big show
  • London pre-sale for All In
  • Nick Khan talks heavily about Wembley, WWE business and more
  • Sting’s retirement and the first televised Flair vs. Sting match in 1988
  • Lots of injury updates*More on QT Marshall leaving AEW
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • ROH PPV notes
  • Upcoming ticket sales for WWE & AEW events
  • Highest paid fighters for a single fight for UFC every year from 2011 to 2016
  • PFL’s new TV deal
  • PFL claims offering $15 million one fight offer for former UFC star
  • Coverage of PFL’s tournament finals
  • Raw contract renewal talks
  • WrestleMania ticket sale info
  • What WWE exec just got $12 million worth of new stock
  • Detailed notes on all WWE & AEW events

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.

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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.

Saturday Update

WWE

  • Before SmackDown yesterday, Logan Paul and Randy Orton recorded an interview for Paul’s Impaulsive podcast. The podcast episode will be released on Tuesday (December 5).
  • On social media, John Cena reacted to last night’s main event segment where Orton joined the SmackDown roster: “Absolutely incredible to see @RandyOrton continue to excel after such a storied career. A massive pickup for #Smackdown and a word to the wise … watch out for that RKO!”
  • WWE revealed the official poster for Royal Rumble 2024.
  • UFC’s Dana White told Sports Illustrated that he texted CM Punk to congratulate him after his WWE return: “I texted him that night after he walked out in Chicago. It was amazing. I texted and congratulated him, it was incredible.”
  • White added that Punk is one of the easiest people he’s ever dealt with: “I’ve had nothing but a great relationship with him since the day we met. He’s a super nice guy. He’s one of the easiest people I’ve ever dealt with.”
  • The Undertaker, Michelle McCool, Jade Cargill, Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, and Samantha Irvin were all in attendance for college football’s Big 12 Championship game today. They presented Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers with a custom-made title belt for being named the game’s most outstanding player. WWE’s new partnership with the Big 12 also included WWE branding being featured on field for the game.
  • Cargill gave rapper Nelly a title belt after he performed at the Big 12 Championship game halftime show.
  • Undertaker believes Goldust/Dustin Rhodes belongs in the WWE Hall of Fame:
          • Absolutely. 100 percent. This is a semantics thing at this point. I would imagine at some point, down the road. I think his resume is Hall of Fame worthy. Obviously, we know the one stickler right now and I think at some point that goes away. Then I couldn’t see too much time probably going by that he wouldn’t be inducted.
  • Denise Salcedo has an interview with Trick Williams.
  • Pretty Deadly, Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits, and Charlotte Flair appeared on The SmackDown LowDown.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • Kiera Hogan vs. Abadon has been added to tonight’s episode of AEW Collision.
  • Bandido gave an update on his injury status:
          • Hello everyone!! I’m not fine! My wrist still bad and I thought this was the last part of my recovery! I have three options to fix my wrist, two of them need surgery again. the other way is with physiotherapy but we need to wait and see how the wrist responds.
          • I feel very bad because I just started my new chapter in AEW and now I don’t have clean how long time it will take outside to the ring. I’m very sorry with the company and the fans who still supporting me in this bad time.
          • I’m trying to do my best in this hard time of my life and I hope see you All as soon as possible thank you very much for all your love.
  • AEW uploaded a nearly three-hour timeline video chronicling the Athena/Billie Starkz story in ROH. Athena is defending her ROH Women’s World Championship against Starkz at Final Battle on December 15.
  • Chris Hero was the guest on AEW Unrestricted this week.
  • Wrestling Revolver announced yesterday that, due to his calf injury, Alex Shelley is not able to compete at their Season Finale show in Clive, Iowa tonight:
          • Due to injury, @IMPACTWRESTLING World Champion & @PWRevolver Remix Champion – Alex Shelley will NO LONGER be able to compete this Saturday. We waited until the last minute, hoping he could get cleared, but sadly he wasn’t able to. We wish him a speedy recovery, and he WILL compete in a double title match on the first @PWRevolver show of the year. Against whoever is the World Champion.
  • Shelley was scheduled to face Jake Crist at Series Finale. It will now be Crist defending the Revolver World Championship against Gringo Loco.
  • Shelley wrote: “So, unfortunately, I don’t have full capacity to return to sport just yet. My apologies to all fans. Calf injuries are notoriously tricky to deal with, and I am week to week, but progress is going well. See you soon, Iowa.”
  • Mike Santana won the House of Glory World Championship last night, defeating Matt Cardona in a no holds barred match at the promotion’s show in Queens.
  • Josh Alexander will make his House of Glory debut on Saturday, January 6.
  • Chris Sabin appeared on the Battleground Podcast.