Daily Update: Jordynne Grace, Bloodsport, TNA notes

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • The big weekend,matches, booking,business, favorites and strategies
  • The life and times of Cowboy Bob Ellis, one of the great babyfaces of his era.  A long career as a star all over the world, defining the wrestling cowboy character, the bulldog headlock, wars with Dick the Bruiser and why he had a long career but his top ten drawing days were only a few years.
  • Donald Trump wants a UFC show at the White House on July 4, 2026
  • Preview of the G-1 Climax tournament
  • The most in depth look at the ratings for all the TV shows, including quarters, competition, people watching together, year over year and week over week comparisons and all the little details you won’t get anywhere else on the shows.
  • The Arena Mexico business milestone and comparisons to 2006 and 1991 boom periods and CMLL sells out three shows this past week.
  • AAA has one of its big shows of the year this week
  • Details over the attempt to trademark a major name as part of a fight between wrestler and promoter
  • Stardom star taking a temporary leave
  • Dragon Gat’s biggest show of the year
  • Tiger Mask retires in 2026
  • Notes on Tanahashi Jam
  • Updates on Ric Flair and Wendi Richter
  • Highest ratings for a woman’s main event in American television history
  • Tons of major indie shows coming up
  • Maple Leaf Wrestling coverage
  • Grandson of legend about to start out
  • Kim Wood, the architect of the Brian Pillman storyline, turns 80
  • TNA attempts to upgrade its U.S. TV situation
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE, AEW and TNA shows
  • Kenny Omega talks, taking risks, career, match philosophy and future
  • Tony Khan talks more stadium shows, Britt Baker,  U.S. record gate ad Unified title
  • How much is the Khan sports empire worth, the TKO sports empire and where both trank in the world standins
  • New contract signings
  • AEW quarter two television final numbers and explaining what the numbers mean
  • Jim Ross update
  • Lots of business updates
  • Phil Davis talks attempt to legally change the foundation of MMA to make it like a real sport
  • Randy Couture update
  • A $25 million tournament announced
  • Update on Janel Grant case
  • WWE stars in acting roles and a movie that will a top name from both WWE & NJPW
  • Wrestlers who get harassed the most in social media

This Week’s Back Issue

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Wednesday Update

WWE

  • In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Jordynne Grace spoke about how her role in NXT compares to what she’s experienced in the past:
    • I was used to being on top all the time. I was used to, you know, being quote unquote, like the face of the company. But at NXT there’s incredible women everywhere you look, right. So it’s a little bit harder to stand out. But the one thing that I always go back on is, I just want to be the best wrestler in the ring. No matter what, I want to have the best match on the show, and I always go back to that, and it’s never failed me.
  • Bianca Belair shared a photo with Jazz from backstage at Evolution:
    • When I 1st got into wrestling in 2016, I didn’t know much… my Husband @MontezFordWWE is literally a wrestling historian so I asked him who should I watch and study? 1st person he said was Jazz! I still remember the night we sat and watched hours of matches he pulled up as he went on for hours and hours about you, your skill, grit, impact, etc. and I fell in love with the b*tch clamp and the high leg drop (which I tried and yeah, no it hurts lol) Thank you for paving the way! Dream match!
  • Drew Moss, a rookie lineman for the San Francisco 49ers, revealed that he is dating shotputter Mya Lesnar – the daughter of Brock Lesnar.
  • Michael Hayes remembered his Fabulous Freebirds partner Terry Gordy on the 24th anniversary of his death: “It’s hard to believe it’s been 24 years since Terry passed away! Think about you and miss you every day. Thank you Bam!!”
  • William Regal paid tribute to World of Sport legend Eddie Hamill following his passing:
    • I’m very saddened to hear of the passing of Eddie ‘Kung Fu’ Hamill. As good as a Pro I ever saw Wrestle and a lovely man who always treated me as an equal when I was a teenage Wrestler when many older fellas wouldn’t give me the time of day. My deepest condolences to Eddie’s family.
  • In their countdown of the 25 greatest matches in SummerSlam history, WWE ranked Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe vs. Braun Strowman from SummerSlam 2017 in the 15th spot:
    • 25. Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar (2023)
    • 24. Seth Rollins vs. John Cena title vs. title match for the WWE Championship and United States Championship (2015)
    • 23. The Undertaker vs. Bret Hart for the WWF Championship (1997)
    • 22. Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins for the Universal Championship (2019)
    • 21. Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship (2022)
    • 20. Randy Orton vs. Christian no holds barred match for the World Heavyweight Championship (2011)
    • 19. Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker (2015)
    • 18. Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk TLC match for the World Heavyweight Championship (2009)
    • 17. Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle for the WWF Championship (2001)
    • 16. Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero ladder match (2005)
    • 15. Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe vs. Braun Strowman for the Universal Championship (2017)

Other Wrestling

  • NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne will appear on TNA Impact this Thursday for a segment where she’ll address her winner-take-all match against Masha Slamovich ahead of Slammiversary. The PPV is being held in Long Island, New York this Sunday (July 20).
  • TNA President Carlos Silva was a guest on My Mom’s Basement with Robbie Fox.
  • A tweet posted by Silva this week has led to speculation that he’s teasing an AJ Styles appearance for Slammiversary. In the tweet, Silva used the word “phenomenal” and capitalized it: “We’re moving the stage back to accommodate more fans. This event will be TNA’s greatest achievement and trust me it’s going to be PHENOMENAL. #Slammiversary #TNA @ThisIsTNA”
  • While speaking with Going Ringside, Victoria Crawford (the former Alicia Fox) gave an update on her status with TNA: “So, it’s official, I’m with TNA. It was kind of half official [when she was interviewed on Going Ringside before], but it’s official, official. I’m a Knockout.”
  • Janai Kai vs. Jordan Blade has been announced for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIV in Rutherford, New Jersey on August 2.
  • Excalibur (45), Bobby Lashley (49), “Speedball” Mike Bailey (35), and QT Marshall (40) are all celebrating birthdays today.
  • Sammy Guevara uploaded a vlog from All In weekend.
  • The Magic of Wrestling interviewed Brian Cage.
  • NJPW & Stardom will be holding a joint event in Guangzhou, China on October 5.
  • For the first time since suffering a cervical spine injury in May, Daisuke Sekimoto will return to the ring for Big Japan Pro Wrestling at Korakuen Hall on July 27.