Daily Update: Randy Orton first pitch, The Street Profits, Adam Pearce

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Observer is up on the site right now featuring two very in-depth stories:

  • Judge Richard Boulware refuses to accept the $335 million TKO settlement in the Cung Le case, why, lawyers react, lots of inside ramifications of the case, how different settlements would work out for the biggest name fighters and the average fighters and what comes next and why they still can’t risk a trial.
  • AEW rights fees talks and what they mean, how much talent earns by percentage of revenues compared to other sports, estimating annual income at different rights points, cutbacks why the deal length is so important, noticeable TV cutbacks and ROH potential going forward.
  • SummerSlam preview, ticket sales, secondary market, expectations for finishes and favorites.
  • All In, update on new matches being teased, ticket sales, can they reach the next goal, PPV thoughts and promotion of the event.
  • Update on the G-1 Climax tournament
  • UFC 304 full coverage, what’s next for the fighters, new storylines, business notes, match-by-match rundown
  • What matches you need to see from G-1
  • A look at the retirement and career of Meiko Satomura
  • A detailed look at ROH Death Before Dishonor and the ROH brand
  • The life and career of longtime prelim wrestler Pete Sanchez/Gino Caruso
  • The most detailed look at  the ratings from the past two weeks  including where the top shows placed, breakdown on who is watching and changes, how badly the Olympics changed viewership and much more.
  • Death Triangle go to the hottest arena in the world and how the crowd reacted
  • One of the best high flyers in the world is almost ready to return
  • A look at two Stardom PPV shows and major title changes
  • Oldest male wrestler ever to do a match
  • Marigold tag team title decided and  Grand Prix singles tournament
  • Death of former Crockett wrestler who had a short career but was in with the biggest names in wrestling at the time
  • Modern legend retirement tour first main event announced
  • Dijak and MJF to RevPro
  • Bloodsport with talent from WWE, ROH and TNA
  • Update on PPV numbers from WWE, AEW, TNA and Diaz-Masvidal and Paul-Perry
  • Tony Khan and Shane McMahon
  • Top star returns to AEW
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Bill Goldberg talks Tony Khan
  • Merch sales
  • Highest ticket prices ever for an MMA event at The Sphere
  • Updates on Brock Lesnar

This Week’s Wresting Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Thursday Update

WWE

  • Randy Orton threw out the first pitch at last night’s St. Louis Cardinals game.
  • Sports Illustrated asked The Street Profits about potentially following the Hart Foundation/New Day route of staying connected while also going after singles gold. Montez Ford responded:
    • The Hart Foundation and New Day, respect to both crews, but the Street Profits would have to put our flavor on it. I’m down with Angelo for the long haul–Angelo is power and speed, he’s a linebacker.
    • And for sure, I think we can take the WWE tag team titles and add some singles gold, too.
  • Gunther told Sports Illustrated that Timothy Thatcher is someone who’s had a big influence on his career: “I learned a lot from Tim. He was very influential on me. He made me a better professional wrestler.”
  • Gunther added that he thinks Thatcher would be on a bigger stage right now if he wasn’t so committed to his core values about pro wrestling:
    • I think Tim would be on a bigger stage right now if he would divert away from some of his core values and accept professional wrestling for what it is on the big stage,” said Gunther. “As much as I enjoyed that gritty, catch-as-catch can shoot-style wrestling with no smoke and mirrors, the reality is that it isn’t going to draw the attention of a lot and lot of people in 2024. At the end of the day, what we do is a business.
    • But I respect that he does what makes him happy. You can have all the money in the world, but if you’re not happy, then that’s pretty useless.
  • Raw General Manager Adam Pearce was the guest on today’s episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet. He was asked about a potential program against SmackDown GM Nick Aldis:
    • I think neither one of us, neither Nick nor I, are ever going to angle for a position in the spotlight like that. I think we’re both content, very happy and very honored to have the positions we have currently in WWE. There’s only one general manager for the show, so it’s highly important. It has been the pinnacle of my professional performing career, and I hope that continues into the future. But as I’ve said 100 times, privately, publicly, I ain’t afraid to get my hands dirty either. So if the situation calls for it, I’m sure Nick would be down for it and I think there’s a whole litany of NWA fans who have played that ‘What if’ game? Because I think our names are always connected when people talk about that, especially in the ‘modern era.’ I think it’d be fun for a lot of different groups of wrestling fans.
  • On August 7, WWE filed to trademark “American Made.” That’s the name of Chad Gable & The Creed Brothers’ new faction.
  • WWE uploaded a behind-the-scenes vlog from CM Punk’s in-ring return at SummerSlam.
  • Cody Rhodes interviewed Bianca Belair on the latest episode of “What Do You Wanna Talk About?”
  • WWE shared a gallery of photos that Shinsuke Nakamura took on the company’s tour of Japan.
  • In a video for Wired, John Cena and his “Jackpot!” co-star Awkwafina answered the web’s most-searched questions about them.
  • Shayna Baszler is celebrating her 44th birthday today.

AEW/Other Wrestling