Daily Update: Joe Tessitore, Hammerstone return, Karl Anderson trademarks

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • The most detailed look at the updated Janel Grant lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis and WWE. We look at the new claims, the arguments in favor of the case not going to arbitration as McMahon, Laurinaitis and WWE have argued, who is the most in jeopardy, lots of notes on the legal strategy from both sides, more text messages released as well.
  • Tons of records set at the 2025 Royal Rumble, the direction going into WrestleMania, the fake record John Cena may break and who has always been planned to break it later, Dwayne Johnson, Jey Uso, Alexa Bliss, business records including a very noteworthy record set by the show. We have an apples-to-apples comparison between Rumble viewers on Netflix and Raw viewers which is very interesting.
  • The ringboys lawsuit goes forward against Vince & Linda McMahon and WWE, details of what the issues that put it on hold were as well as a very important note about the suit that hasn’t gotten much talk.
  • The most detailed look at TV ratings and streaming numbers for pro wrestling programming in the U.S., including segment-by-segment numbers, what countries Raw is strongest in, competition and more.
  • Unique tournament this month in Mexico City
  • A look at major international matches over the past week
  • Stardom PPV notes
  • Tag champ brothers release a new album and music video.
  • New Beginning in Osaka and Fantastica Mania upcoming shows.
  • Young Bucks talk their return to Japan
  • Why Hiroshi Tanahashi was in tears after Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd
  • Hall of Famer says his son has recently got a WWE offer
  • Ed Wiskowski’s time in Australia.
  • Lots of news on Grand Slam Australia.
  • International TV numbers and streaming numbers
  • Ticket sales to all the major upcoming WWE & AEW shows including WrestleMania, Elimination Chamber, Revolution and All In.
  • Jericho Cruise notes
  • Merch sale leaders from WWE & AEW
  • Story on the retirement of Dominick Cruz and his legacy in UFC
  • One of the key people in the pro wrestling business and the most important person in the MMA business are rumored to be working together to start a new sports franchise
  • How is ESPN+ doing
  • Another world champion wants release from his promotion.
  • All the craziness of the Canelo negotiations
  • TKO stock reaching record highs
  • Lots of news on Mania week
  • More on cancellation of Cena TV show
  • More on new Evolve TV show
  • Another lawsuit with Nick Khan’s name in it
  • How much WWE stock does Dwayne Johnson now own?
  • Lots of contract news
  • WWE & AEW injury stats – which company, on average, has more serious injuries.

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Thursday Update

WWE

Other Wrestling

  • AEW uploaded post-Dynamite promos from Undisputed Kingdom, Lance Archer & Brian Cage, and Max Caster.
  • Harley Cameron debuted a new rap/promo on Mercedes Mone last night to promote their TBS Championship match at Grand Slam Australia.
  • During a social media Q&A, Mone responded to a fan who asked which wrestlers she wants to recruit to AEW: “If I listed the people I wanted in AEW The other place would sign them [teacup emoji] #aewceo #AEWGrandSlam”
  • On AEW Unrestricted this week, Aubrey Edwards and Will Washington previewed the Grand Slam card.
  • Uncrowned published a story on Ricochet.
  • Peacock released a teaser trailer for Twisted Metal season two, which features Samoa Joe as Sweet Tooth. The new season will premiere in summer 2025.
  • The trio of Joe, Katsuyori Shibata & Hook are now known as “The Opps” in AEW. It’s a term that means opposition.
  • Following his release from WWE, Karl Anderson has filed trademarks for “Automatic” and “AKA.” The filings were made on February 12.
  • The Owen Hart Foundation made a social media post noting that Dr. Martha Hart and Oje Hart recently met up with Ann Callis, the attorney for Vince McMahon’s accuser Janel Grant:
    • The OHF crew sat down again with another NYC based production company to chat about the OHF’s 25th anniversary and the backstory that lead to its creation, which will air in the Fall so watch for it. We also had the pleasure of meeting up with lovely attorney Ann Callis, a former chief judge of Illinois’s Third Judicial Circuit and the current lead council for Janel Grant who is based in St. [Louis] MO and we wish them much luck in their quest for justice.
  • After undergoing a minor knee procedure in December 2024, TNA wrestler Hammerstone is scheduled to return to the ring this Sunday (February 16), facing Donovan Dijak in a match for indie promotion Destiny Wrestling in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Hammerstone is defending his Destiny World Championship in the match.
  • Hammerstone shared the following update on how his recovery in the gym is going: “Training legs is still super frustrating. The amount of pain in my knee that I just have to accept and fight through is indescribable… but I refuse to let it stop me: 7 weeks post surgery. 4 plate hack”
  • Steph De Lander posted an update on her recovery from neck surgery: “My surgeon told me I have an ‘unprecedented rate of new bone growth’ and am healing way ahead of schedule. So I am basically John Cena”
  • Dijak has been announced as an entrant for MLW Battle Riot VII, which is being held in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 5.
  • Timothy Thatcher vs. Shinya Aoki will take place for DDT Pro Wrestling at their WrestleMania week show in Las Vegas on Friday, April 18.
  • Busted Open Radio interviewed Samantha Irvin.
  • The Great Muta will be a guest at WrestleCon in Las Vegas this April.