Daily Update: Drew McIntyre, Wheeler Yuta, AEW Dynamite

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

In this issue:

  • Fan reactions and poll for Forbidden Door
  • Thoughts on the Omega-Ospreay and Okada-Danielson matches, as well as the difference in match of the years today with in the past that is concerning. We look at the Omega-Ospreay storyline, the business record that was set in Toronto as well as PPV numbers, theater numbers, what we learned, the Okada-Danielson finish and the situation with C.M. Punk.
  • We have the biggest money live events in AEW history, match-by-match coverage, Danielson, Sting, Tony Khan and others talk after the show and more
  • A look at Money in the Bank and its unique record that was quietly set
  • Full coverage of Saturday’s UFC show
  • Business notes on the show
  • What’s next for the top people on the show
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of all the wrestling shows this past week, talking competition, ranking, segment-by-segment, the unique change in the Raw audience this week as well as the low rating for AEW and notes on that
  • Early Fantastica Mania notes
  • 64th anniversary of pro wrestling in one of its legendary arenas that likely has had more shows than all but a few in history
  • Notes on AAA’s next major show after TripleMania in Tijuana
  • Stardom PPV notes
  • Next Stardom PPV card
  • Stardom Five-Star Grand Prix tournament
  • Battle of two people who trained together as youths sells out standing room tickets at Korakuen Hall weeks ahead of time
  • The new three Musketeers in New Japan and thoughts
  • Update on this week’s New Japan major shows
  • A look in detail about the movie “Iron Claw” about the heyday of the Von Erichs and the collapse of their empire along with thoughts on it
  • One of the best wrestlers of the 90s and 00s goes into a sports Hall of Fame
  • Outsports talks about the most powerful LGBTQ+ people in the sports world including many from both pro wrestling and MMA
  • Notes on Ross Forman, who works backstage at Impact, making the list and his background and thoughts
  • WWC 50th anniversary show draws huge crowd in Puerto Rico and rundown of the show
  • Impact notes from the next few weeks of TV
  • AEW video game notes
  • Jim Ross update
  • Danielson talks Okada
  • Variety says AEW TV show deserves an Emmy nomination
  • Upcoming ticket sales for all WWE & AEW shows
  • Anthony Bowens felt crowd reaction was a real breakthrough, as does a reader who grew up in Chicago
  • Ariel Helwani responds to Tony Khan
  • What percentage of revenue did UFC fighters make last year
  • Lots of new UFC fights
  • Fighter rebounding from nearly fatal heart attack
  • Lots of notes on Vince McMahon and WWE
  • Notes on what happens with the new company, how much money Vince made WWE by staying and what percentage of the new company he will own
  • Notes on ideas for changes in NXT and main roster shows
  • WWE injury updates
  • International TV ratings
  • WWE top streaming segments for the week

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:

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Wednesday Update

WWE

  • Josh Barnett responded to the NXT Underground match that aired last night: “Oh look, fake Bloodsport is back. Thank you for showing the world that this kind of thing has legs (we knew that already) and that even with 10x the money and production there is still only one Josh Barnett’s: Bloodsport. #NXTUnderground #Bloodsport #NXT”
  • During an interview with Inside the Ropes, Bayley was asked if she could follow in Mercedes Mone’s footsteps and wrestle in Japan: “I think what she’s doing is incredible, but I don’t know if I’d be able to do it. That Japanese style is intense. I’m a little too old for that. She can go ahead and do all that. She’s braver than I am. She’s way more athletic than I am. So she can do all that stuff, and I’ll support her the whole time. If something were to happen and I was able to go experience different things like that, we’ll see. But right now, my body will say no.”
  • Drew McIntyre, Damian Priest, and boxer Alycia Baumgardner were guests on WWE’s The Bump this afternoon.
  • McIntyre addressed his WWE status and apologized to fans for not being around recently: “I just want to apologize for everybody that I missed my dates, I missed the towns. You know, it’s not like me unless there’s a reason. Obviously, the rumor and innuendo is out there. What’s been going on with Drew McIntyre? What’s going on with the future? The future doesn’t matter. What matters is the present. And presently, Drew McIntyre is back. If you’re heading to a WWE show and Drew McIntyre’s there, you know you’re gonna get 110 percent. And finally, finally, finally I’m chasing that big moment with a title in front of live fans. So let’s make that happen finally.”
  • Santos Escobar told Haus of Wrestling that he’d love to have Konnan in the LWO: “I would love that. Konnan is a very important person in my life and in my career. If that ever happened, I would be really, really happy.”
  • Members of Britain’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Wrestling expressed support for John Cena’s call to bring WrestleMania to London. Co-chair Alex Davies-Jones said: “Whatever we can do to make the UK attractive to host wrestling on the world stage we are more than happy to help facilitate. We would use our contact and negotiating skills to try and reach out to WWE, making conversations happen to try and promote the UK as a premier destination for world-class wrestling.”
  • Ring announcer Mike Rome was interviewed on Out of Character.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • WrestleTix estimated yesterday that 74,888 tickets have been distributed for AEW All In at Wembley Stadium.
  • Wheeler Yuta spoke to Cageside Seats ahead of his match against Kenny Omega on Dynamite tonight. Yuta said he’s not feeling pressure with having to follow Omega and Will Ospreay’s match from Forbidden Door: “Honestly, I always just try to kind of do my own thing and focus on my own goals. Obviously, [following the Ospreay match] definitely adds to the excitement. It adds to the feel of it. Just like, how is Kenny gonna be able to bounce back after having such a classic match? So it definitely adds a whole ‘nother element to it, but I really just have to focus on doing the best that I can do… it definitely adds a little bit more in an air of excitement. I don’t think I’d say pressure. I’d say excitement for me.”
  • AEW star Adam Cole turns 34 years old today.
  • AEW revealed that Matt Menard & The Butcher will be Cole & MJF’s opponents in the Blind Eliminator Tag Team Tournament quarterfinals on tonight’s episode of Dynamite.
  • A trios match with The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn facing The Blade & The Bollywood Boyz has also been added to tonight’s Dynamite.
  • Renee Paquette made an appearance on Wilde On with Taylor Wilde.
  • AEW congratulated Eddie Kingston on winning the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship.
  • Due to a head wound that he suffered on night one, JR Kratos was pulled from NJPW Strong Independence Day night two. Kratos was scheduled to wrestle Oskar Leube on the show. Leube instead lost to Satoshi Kojima.
  • Tiara James vs. B3CCA has been added to this Saturday’s MLW Fusion TV tapings in Philadelphia.