Daily Update: Randy Orton, TNA taping, Minoru Suzuki vs. Maki Itoh

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

We have another huge issue of the Observer with major stories looking back on the Ashley Massaro situation and how it has become major news this past week, the build to WrestleMania, New Japan changes losing Okada and Ospreay and much more.

  • A new statement by Ashley Massaro released by her former lawyer
  • Massaro’s best friend goes on television to weigh in on what she was told
  • What WWE said at the time and how they handled it with the media
  • What John Laurinaitis through his lawyer has said
  • A doctor who treated Massaro at the time confirms the story
  • Massaro’s original depositions on McMahon and her alleged rape by someone posing as a military doctor
  • Bret Hart talks the allegations against Vince McMahon
  • More people in the industry comment on the story
  • The background of how we go to where we are for WrestleMania involving Nick Khan, Ari Emanuel, Dwayne Johnson, Paul Levesque and the key decisions made and changed along the way
  • Updates on WWE Elimination Chamber and AEW Revolution
  • Why New Japan’s New Beginning in Osaka was such a noteworthy show and talk about the Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr. match and the controversial cage match
  • A look at the upcoming New Japan schedule
  • The story behind Billy Jack Haynes and his arrest, his one-time best friend and his wife who died of a gunshot wound
  • A look at Haynes’ wrestling career
  • More on the changes in TNA, not just Scott D’Amore but also Ed Nordholm, why it happened and the timeline of it happening
  • What happened at the call when Leonard Asper told talent about D’Amore being gone
  • Notes on the letter sent by talent to Asper
  • NTV 70th anniversary pro wrestling special and what was featured
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the pro wrestling shows, demo numbers, segment-by-segment and weekly rankings
  • The story behind the BCC heading to Mexico and Blue Panther being in the match
  • Will Ospreay statement on leaving NJPW
  • Matt Riddle talks starting in NJPW
  • Early FantasticaMania notes
  • Grandson of Brian Pillman gets awarded
  • The Angelo Mosca secret
  • A promotional merger announced
  • Latest rights fees story and how it may affect UFC & AEW
  • Tony Khan talks AEW future
  • More on Kazuchika Okada
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Upcoming ticket sales to WWE & AEW events
  • International TV numbers and streaming numbers
  • Crazy thing Dana White did on a podcast this week
  • Preview of this week’s UFC show
  • WWE deal with X
  • Steve Austin talks about the potential of him doing another match
  • Drew McIntyre update
  • Seth Rollins talks MMA fighters in pro wrestling
  • Bruce Prichard injury update

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • In an interview with the New York Post, Randy Orton explained what his priorities are at this point in his career:
          • Longevity is my number one priority and having fun and enjoying every moment that I’m doing it, knowing that after the [back] injury I sustained and the surgery that I had a year and a half ago. For about six months I was under the impression that that was it. So getting that second chance at my career and in this business with how I feel, you can say I’m still in my f–king prime.
  • Orton said he wants to see Cody Rhodes defeat Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40:
          • Seeing those fans, the ‘Cody Crybabies’ as Rock calls them, seeing the fans be so vocal for a Cody Rhodes, Cody’s heart and him finishing the story — and that story’s important. And I think because it’s so important to Cody it’s important to those fans. And it’s pretty f–king cool to see that to a lot of these fans Cody’s story is more important than the biggest star in the world. That’s pretty cool.
          • I also understand the business side of it, too. And I don’t think there’s any bigger match than any match Rock would be involved in, just when you are talking business. But if I had to choose, I’d want to see Cody beat Roman Reigns and win that title at WrestleMania 40.
  • Steve Austin named two UFC fighters who he thinks could successfully crossover to WWE:
          • If I’m going right now, I’m going Sean Strickland. I like Sean Strickland. Boy, he stays economic in the Octagon right now, but what a promo. And so, then I go with Colby Covington. All the trash talk, all the athletic ability. Guy never runs out of gas, he’s always in shape, talks a mean streak and can back it up. He’s very exciting, he has that X-factor that you always look for. He’s double tough.
  • Liv Morgan spoke to TNT Sports UK/Ireland about eliminating Jade Cargill from the Royal Rumble:
          • Oh yeah, I think Jade is a star, and I think she’s going to be a bigger star in the future. She’s like the most gorgeous creature I’ve ever laid eyes upon. I mean, on TV, she’s stunning, but in person, it’s like she’s a whole different beast. She’s absolutely stunning, but she was not ready for Liv Morgan like most people are not ready for Liv Morgan because I eliminated her. And I’m sure we’re gonna have some tussles in the future, but I will always be able to say I eliminated Jade Cargill in her debut in WWE. And I love that for me.
  • John Cena thanked Howard Stern for having him on as a guest today: “Been years since our last conversation, @SternShow. Thank you Howard and your entire crew for the time and the opportunity to lean into another great conversation about who we are and what makes us, us.”
  • Rhea Ripley and Oba Femi were interviewed on WWE’s The Bump this afternoon.
  • 2K revealed the roster for WWE 2K24.
  • The Athletic published a story on WWE wrestlers who are soccer fans.
  • Carlito turns 45 years old today.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • AEW uploaded a Control Center video ahead of tonight’s Dynamite.
  • Episode two of Johnny Loves Taya is now available on AEW’s YouTube channel.
  • Today is Ricky Starks’ 34th birthday.
  • Minoru Suzuki vs. Maki Itoh has been announced for TJPW Grand Princess 2024. The show is taking place in Tokyo on Sunday, March 31. It will air live on Wrestle Universe.
  • TNA Wrestling has confirmed the following matches for their TV taping in New Orleans this Saturday:
          • Mustafa Ali vs. Kevin Knight
          • Dani Luna vs. Masha Slamovich
          • Digital Media Champion Crazzy Steve defends against Rhino
          • Jake Something vs. Laredo Kid
          • Tasha Steelz vs. Xia Brookside
  • While appearing on Busted Open Radio, Alex Shelley discussed Scott D’Amore’s departure from TNA.
  • Tom Lawlor & Davey Boy Smith Jr. are challenging Second Gear Crew (Matthew Justice & One Called Manders) for the MLW Tag Team titles at Intimidation Games 2024 in New York City on Thursday, February 29.