Daily Update: NXT QR code tease, Jey Uso, Ren Narita

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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.

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • In a post on her Instagram stories last night, Joseann Offerman wrote that today was supposed to be her and Windham Rotunda’s (Bray Wyatt) wedding day: “Tomorrow would have been our wedding. I’m every bit broken and lost without you Windham. The kids and I really miss you. We wish you were here. I love you forever.”
  • A QR code that appeared on last night’s NXT episode has led to speculation that Cora Jade will be returning at NXT Deadline this Saturday. The QR code takes you to a page where a woman’s voice says, “See you at Deadline.”
  • During an interview with The Ten Count, Bobby Lashley discussed Tribute to the Troops’ importance to the WWE locker room:
          • I think for some guys it’s more important than others. I think some guys understand the importance of doing stuff for the troops. But then some people that have been in the trenches that know the military, like I grew up in a military household. My dad was 26 years, and my sisters, myself, we all went through the military. So it has a little bit of special meaning to me, as well as a few other people that have been there. Like Montez [Ford], one of my partners. He was in the Marines for a while. So just having the opportunity to tell the boys and girls, look we remember you guys, we look out for you guys. And we still have heart for you guys and we do anything for you guys. So it’s a really cool event and a good opportunity for us to pack the stadium and just put on a good show for the troops.
  • Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson met 21 Make-A-Wish children in one day at Universal Studios Hollywood.
  • Colorado State University named Brock Lesnar’s daughter Mya as their Student-Athlete of the Week: “Congratulations to @CSUTrackFieldXC’s Mya Lesnar on being named this week’s @Waterpik Student-Athlete of the Week! Mya broke the school record in the women’s shot put with a mark of 18.50 meters & currently leads the nation!”
  • Jey Uso, Trick Williams, and R-Truth were on WWE’s The Bump this afternoon.
  • Uso said he wants CM Punk on the Raw roster:
          • Man, sign CM Punk. Like, why wouldn’t we sign CM Punk? I know he got a whole bunch of haters or whatever. Hey, if we going to be honest, he’s a superstar, first and foremost. People talk about him. And if it got anything to do with wrestling, his name is in it. He’s like on some Tribal Chief status. He’s [a] top guy regardless of whatever’s going on. So my invitation is open, man. Bring him, like, let’s go. Let’s run it, bro. I’ll be your first one to run with. It’s all good. It’s all love. Let’s go. Let’s run it. Welcome back though, CM Punk.
  • Mick Foley will be a guest on The Bump next Wednesday.
  • Sportskeeda WrestleBinge has an interview with Braun Strowman.
  • Denise Salcedo interviewed Kelani Jordan.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • Ren Narita turned against Shota Umino and joined House of Torture at today’s NJPW World Tag League 2023 event.
  • On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Chris Jericho explained why he thinks everyone would benefit from working for Vince McMahon for six months. Jericho responded when asked about McMahon stepping aside some in WWE:
          • I mean, once again there’s the reasons why he was stepping aside, and I’m not talking about that side of things. I never thought he would step down. And I think had those other issues [not] come up, there’s no way he would have. Also too, Vince is also smart and I bet he was like, ‘Okay, I’m at the point now where this is not good for me to be here.’ So he trained, groomed, Triple H for 20 years and probably felt confident enough that things were going to continue without him.
          • I say this all the time, like in AEW, I think everybody could use six months working for Vince McMahon. Because that’s where you really understand what wrestling is, the wrestling business, and how the business works. And I loved working for him. And I loved going head-to-head with him and creating ideas, and debating ideas, and arguing ideas. But he always used to say, ‘I’m not here just to teach you wrestling lessons, I’m here to teach you life lessons.’ And he did. He taught me a lot of life lessons. The guy is really a f*cking cool guy. Once again, from my experiences with him. Not easy to deal with, an assh*le sometimes, but he’s your boss, you’re not supposed to be friends with your boss all the time, but then you can still get on a private jet and drink for four hours listening to the Stones.
  • DAZN asked Bryan Danielson who he would recruit to join the Blackpool Combat Club:
          • Anthony Ogogo. That’s a really interesting fit with his boxing background and he’s as tough as nails.
          • Another interesting one is Hook. He’s got beef with Wheeler Yuta right now but sometimes those beefs lead to respect.
  • Fite announced subscription changes for the AEW Plus subscription service, which is available in some international markets.
  • Slam Wrestling has a story on Ethan Page.
  • PROGRESS Wrestling will hold a show in Philadelphia on Friday, April 5 as part of GCW’s The Collective during WrestleMania week.
  • Prestige Wrestling announced that, due to further complications with the Globe Theatre, the promotion is moving all future Los Angeles shows to the Vermont Hollywood:
          • Due to further complications with THE GLOBE THEATRE we will be moving all future Los Angeles shows to THE VERMONT HOLLYWOOD!
          • This includes Combat Princess USA & A Moment of Violence.
          • All tickets will still be honored & we are thrilled to have found such an amazing venue to move these events to.
          • Thank you for your support & understanding!
          • We will see you at the shows!
  • Prestige Wrestling owner William Quintana wrote: “Here’s your scoop, since yall wanna DM me to break the news. Globe Theatre is ACTUALLY closed. No issues with the staff or people at the venue on my end. It’s from the higher ups. Onward & upward. Love yall.”
  • A24 Films shared a brief official first look at “The Iron Claw.” The movie is being released in theaters on December 22.
  • After its theatrical run, “The Iron Claw” will stream on Max. WBD and A24 have reached a multi-year deal to bring A24’s “slate of films exclusively to HBO, Max and Cinemax after their theatrical runs.”