Daily Update: Kenny Omega, Chris Bey, Jelly Roll

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • The new issue of the Wrestling Observer is up on the site right now:
  • Jon Jones announces his retirement, a look back at a remarkable career inside the cage and a story of problems and controversy outside the cage. We look at his background, details on his latest arrest, and thoughts by others.
  • Preview to Night of Champions, the stories and the direction
  • Who is Aaron Wolf and why he’s starting his career under more pressure than almost anyone in recent history, his background as a fan, and as an Olympic gold medalist and world champion in judo.
  • A look at All In Texas and the largest attendance and biggest grossing non-WWE PPV shows in history. What milestones has the show already broken with two weeks out, and what’s the final milestone that it’s touchy if it can break. We look at money adjusted for inflation and AEW’s former biggest shows as well as big shows from Crockett, WCW and the 114 year milestone.
  • A look at the combined CMLL, AEW, NJPW and RevPro Fantastica Mania at Arena Mexico on Friday. We look at moves CMLL should make to take advantage of its new exposure, popularity and position in the wrestling ecosystem, the big tag team main event and the future booking direction.
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings for pro wrestling and MMA this past week, including how segments did, demos, did and comparisons to one year ago.
  • A detailed look and discussion of how Raw on Netflix is doing and on AEW Dynamite on MAX.
  • More on CMLL’s big week at its other arenas
  • Next CMLL tournament
  • AAA booking direction and when WWE takes over the booking and state of current angles
  • One of the best matches of the year took place on Saturday
  • Dragon Gate has its biggest event of the year
  • Lots of G-1 updates
  • Jun Kasai vs. Desperado looked at
  • Sabu funeral
  • Tom Lawlor physical issues discussed in detail
  • Ronda Rousey physical issues discussed as well
  • Real American Freestyle early ticket advance
  • Tetsuya Naito back in action and new name of his faction
  • Mistico and MJF angle in MLW
  • More on many AEW and WWE stars health updates
  • Which company has a higher injury rate by percentage, AEW or WWE, with the actual stats.
  • AEW ratings comparison between the end of 2024 and the current MAX era
  • Mortos on wrestling at Arena Mexico after 15 years
  • Update on AEW performers who aren’t being used
  • More on the Cung Le lawsuit settlement
  • Dana White goes into promoting boxing and BJJ
  • Internet personality arrested for threatening Joe Rogan
  • Crazy story about Sedriques Dumas and UFC signing him to fight this week and how bad a look that was, and the fight falling apart
  • Why the UFC main event this week is so big
  • Update on Ben Askren nd B Penn
  • Update on Janel Grant lawsuit against Vince McMahon and TKO
  • How another sport’s move from TV to streaming compares with Raw and what we can learn from it as it relates to Raw
  • Boxing legend and former MMA champion both talk performing in WWE
  • Thoughts on Cody Rhodes saying his babyface run is almost over
  • WWE star doing a record album as a tribute to 1990s All Japan Pro Wrestling

This Week’s Back Issue

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Thursday Update

WWE

  • WrestleVotes reports that Jelly Roll’s announced appearance on the July 11 episode of SmackDown is expected to be “the start of something more” for the musician ahead of SummerSlam:
    • According to sources, several within WWE expect Jelly Roll’s upcoming appearance on SmackDown (7/11) to be the start of something more. There’s anticipation the music superstar will make additional appearances in the near future.
    • Worth noting: while currently touring, Jelly Roll is off the first weekend of August.
  • Natalya will challenge Kali Armstrong for the Evolve Women’s Championship on the episode of WWE Evolve that airs next Wednesday. On this week’s show, a contract signing between Armstrong and Natalya ended with Natalya dodging an attack from Armstrong and locking her in the Sharpshooter.
  • John Cena named his four favorite movies of all time: The Shawshank Redemption, The Matrix, Saving Private Ryan, and Star Wars (episodes four, five, and six).
  • Penta told the story behind his tattoos on the latest episode of WWE Tattooed.
  • Sheamus – a huge fan of soccer team Liverpool FC – paid tribute to Liverpool player Diogo Jota after the 28-year-old Jota passed away in a car crash today: “Shocked & heartbroken. Rest in peace, Diogo. You’ll never walk alone.”

Other Wrestling

  • Kenny Omega spoke to the crowd after AEW Dynamite went off the air last night, thanking everyone who has supported the show through its first 300 episodes.
  • Omega explained the Masa Takanashi shirt he wore on Dynamite and shared a GoFundMe campaign to help Takanashi, who suffered a serious neck injury this March while competing for DDT Pro Wrestling. Omega has made a $10,000 donation to the campaign.
    • Not many know my beginning days of what started my 11 year journey in Japan. Masa Takanashi was my first roommate in the @ddtpro dormitory in 2008 and soon introduced me to future @AEW athletes, Emi Sakura and Riho. A little later, Hikaru Shida as well. 
    • Whether I was full time in DDT or even @njpw1972, I could always count on Takanashi to help me train at a dojo somewhere. His work to help develop the indies and Joshi scene was never for any selfish reason. He just simply loves to help wherever he can and be involved in the sport of professional wrestling. 
    • I can truly say he is one of the greatest and safest professional wrestlers I’ve had a chance to work with over the years and it’s a shame that I can’t directly introduce his work to fans on an international level. But rest assured, his influence is shown in every performance of mine, no matter what promotion I represent. 
    • Takanashi now is in a dire struggle after a terrible accident in a match. He isn’t the type to seek attention, money, or gratitude, but I’m personally making a choice now to share why he has and will continue to be so special and important to me and the scene as a whole. Thanks to all who’ve read this.
  • The Takanashi shirt Omega wore can be purchased on Pro Wrestling Tees.
  • While speaking with TMZ Sports, Tony Khan addressed how much influence fans have on the AEW product:
    • The fans are a huge, major influence on me personally and on AEW. I really believe in listening to fans, and the fans have been so positive about AEW in 2025.
    • I think it’s the most positive it’s been in four years, maybe ever. Right now we’re having great trends. We’ve been able to grow viewership quarter over quarter, multiple quarters in a row.
  • Danhausen and his wife Lou Lou welcomed their new baby – a boy named Victor – into the world on July 2.
  • Denise Salcedo interviewed “Timeless” Toni Storm.
  • Referee Brandon Martinez was the guest on AEW Unrestricted this week.
  • Former NFL coach Jon Gruden was gifted a box of merchandise from AEW: “This box may have the greatest gift I’ve ever received inside and it comes from Tony Khan and @AEW! I’m a big wrestling fan, and what they’re doing over at AEW is pretty amazing! If you like wrestling, you gotta check this stuff out… but you’ll have to beat me for my belt!”
  • After announcing earlier this week that he would be undergoing surgery soon, Ric Flair thanked everyone who has reached out to him: “Thank You To Everyone Who Has Reached Out & For All The Thoughts And Prayers! It Means A Lot To Me. I Will Get Through My Health Issues And Be Stronger Than Ever!”
  • NJPW’s English-language website posted an interview with IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion Gabe Kidd. He spoke about wanting to make his title the top championship in NJPW: 
    • Traditionally, the NEVER Openweight title has been about fighting spirit, about Tokon, but I think the title has been demoted from what it once was. Especially with me holding it, this is the workrate championship. This is about who has the most fighting spirit, who is willing to fight through the pain, who’s going to represent you going through your struggles in daily life and work and everything. This is a championship that asks ‘are you a man, or are you a mouse?’ Put your hands up and let’s find out.
    • The Global title, to me, means who is the hardest worker. The IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, all those title matches are between 40 year olds, but we’re talking about that being the number one title? This is the number one title, and I will make this the number one title.
  • Chris Bey celebrated being two years sober from alcohol: “It’s been 2 years since I last drank alcohol and I’m so proud of myself No judgement to anyone who partakes, but it had been somewhat of an issue in my personal life for many years. When I decided to quit, I didn’t think I’d be able to fully commit. Here we are 2 years later. Yay me.”
  • TNA Wrestling is putting on a charity softball game in Merrick, New York on July 19. All proceeds will benefit Merrick Bellmore Little League.
  • A hair vs. hair match between Felino and Rey Bucanero is set for CMLL’s 92nd Aniversario on September 19.
  • Following her release from WWE, Isla Dawn will return to the ring against Aleah James at a show for Burning Heart Pro Wrestling in Manchester, England on August 3.
  • Tommy Dreamer vs. Mance Warner has been announced for GCW’s event in Coney Island, New York on July 19.
  • Scott Armstrong will have his retirement match for Diamond Championship Wrestling in Theodore, Alabama on July 12.