Daily Update: Paul Heyman, Wrestle Dynasty, MLW

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Wednesday Update

WWE

  • The full Fallon Henley vs. Tatum Paxley NXT Women’s North American Championship match from last night can be watched here.
  • Paul Heyman told CBS Sports that he thinks CM Punk is a far more compelling character now than he was 12 years ago:
    • If you had told me that in 2012 that 12 years later CM Punk would be a far more fascinating character than he is now at the height of his rebellious status, I’d say that’s just not in the cards for him. And yet I look at what he did with [Drew] McIntyre and realize that he’s so much more interesting now. He has a deeper connection with the audience now, which I never imagined would have been possible.
    • You realize that rebels age out and once they do, they can no longer be the embodiment of the disruption that progresses against the establishment. And yet he is now the older rebel with a little more wisdom behind him and a little more tact involved and he’s that much more compelling version of a character and persona — let alone his ability to portray it — than ever before.
  • During an appearance on Gutfeld on Fox News, The Undertaker said he still loves Dave Bautista and Mick Foley despite the political differences he has with them:
    • So that it is perfectly clear, I don’t have any angst toward Dave Bautista. I mean, he’s still – I haven’t seen him, but he’s still a good friend of mine and somebody that, if I saw him, I would give him a big hug. Mick Foley, too.
    • I don’t care what your politics are. You’re wrong, but I still love you. And I’m going to say hello and I’m going to give you a hug whether you want it or not when I see you. I think people – if they would adopt that a little bit more and not get so much vitriol and so much hate over politics. It’s just ridiculous.
  • WWE is promoting Elimination Chamber 2025 with the selling point that it will be John Cena’s last time ever competing in Toronto. Rogers Centre is hosting the PLE on Saturday, March 1.
  • Chelsea Green celebrated reaching one million followers on Instagram.
  • Grayson Waller made an appearance on Going Ringside.
  • WWE wrestlers named their dream Survivor Series teams.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • The Young Bucks challenging for the IWGP Tag Team titles at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5 has now been officially confirmed by NJPW. The belts are currently held by Great-O-Khan & HENARE.
  • Case Lowe of Q101 has an interview with Ricochet.
  • Thunder Rosa was the guest on a new episode of AEW Unrestricted.
  • Wrestle Radio Australia has a conversation with Kyle Fletcher.
  • Bill Apter interviewed Orange Cassidy for Sportskeeda WrestleBinge.
  • Eric Bischoff spoke to TV Insider about his role overseeing MLW’s One-Shot event in New York City on Thursday, December 5:
    • As far as creativity and my fingerprints on the show, I’m thinking more of the production than storylines. Let’s be real, I’m not fluent in the backstory and talent and everything that has been going on in MLW. That will become important and clearly, Court [Bauer] and his team have a handle on that. What I want to do is whatever stories they have in place already, I’m focused on telling that story. What could I do from a production standpoint? For example, the way we treat the backstage interviews or the way we thread the story throughout the show. The way we build anticipation for the main event. Whatever is fundamental in professional wrestling but often times overlooked. Everyone is focused on the finish, the big spot in the match or the in-ring promo. All things that deserve attention, but in the process on focusing on the big things, producers have a tendency to lose sight of the little things that make the show flow and creates emotion and hold viewers’ interest, and surprise them. 
  • Bischoff addressed whether he could see himself working for MLW if the show goes well:
    • It’s a good question and fair question, but I’m trying not to think about it because I just want to see how much fun I have. It’s not just me having fun. If Court and his team don’t enjoy it, just slug through it. I don’t want to do that. Or I feel that way, I don’t. The door is open certainly. I got bills. I got a life. I get bored in the middle of nowhere Wyoming occasionally and like to throw myself into something to put pressure on myself with something that challenges me. 
    • It’s not a test. My only expectation is to have a great time and make sure the audience has fun. Make sure the talent I work with walks away with maybe saying, ‘I’ve heard all these terrible things about him. He is not such a bad guy.’ Better yet, maybe they say they learned something from this experience. That’s the fun of it. Directing talent and getting more out of them than they thought they could give that’s the home run. In addition to collaboration, that’s the part I miss.
  • Tom Lawlor vs. Timothy Thatcher and Ava Everett vs. Delmi Exo have been added to the TV taping portion of the One-Shot event.
  • TNA Wrestling produced an Immersed documentary on the Jordynne Grace vs. Masha Slamovich rivalry.
  • TNA announced that they have launched a Spanish-language YouTube channel.
  • Homicide and Maki Itoh are among the talent set for GCW’s show at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Sunday, January 19.