Daily Update: Seth Rollins, Nikki Bella, Ron Killings

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • WWE cuts this past week, why and more details, lots of reaction to R-Truth and the story behind it
  • Preview of the WWE Money in the Bank and Worlds Collide shows as well as updated ticket demand for the shows as well as odds
  • New Japan Dominion and Kosei Fujita win Best of the Super Juniors in one of the year’s best matches
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of all the pro wrestling TV shows this past week including competition, segments, demo and what things on the different shows boosted the audience
  • Notes on one of the biggest Arena Mexico shows this year
  • Major arena sells out seven weeks in a row
  • Newcomers behind the scenes as WWE takes over AAA
  • Stardom PPV notes
  • Major signings for Hogan & Bischoff’s RAF company
  • Who has won the most awards in specific categories in the 45 year history of the Observer awards
  • Ratings for the past season of Dark Side of the Ring
  • Notes on wrestlers recently cut by WWE
  • AEW departures and details
  • Advance ticket sales for WWE, AEW and TNA shows
  • Lots more notes on AEW going to Arena Mexico
  • Bryan Danielson says his career highlight
  • Significance of the Phil Davis lawsuit and how it affects TKO and perhaps even WWE
  • Promotion cutting prices to increase ticket buys
  • Notes on MMA reporter Jordan Breen
  • Update on WrestleMania in Las Vegas
  • Nick Khan and Vince McMahon selling TKO stock
  • How much are analysts expecting the WWE PLE right and UFC rights to end up at and what does this mean for the stock price
  • Paul Levesque and Dwayne Johnson
  • Notes on WWE counter programming AEW
  • Bill Goldberg updates
  • How much money has Dwayne Johnson made from WWE since his return 18 months ago
  • Top YouTube viewing numbers this past week

This Week’s Back Issue

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Thursday Update

WWE

  • Cory Hays of Bodyslam.net reported that WWE is working with a “mainstream artist” to create a new theme song for Seth Rollins, though the identity of the artist has not been disclosed yet. Hays also noted that the name of Rollins, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed & Paul Heyman’s faction is expected to be revealed soon.
  • In an interview with People, Nikki Bella commented on her divorce from Artem Chigvintsev being referenced by Liv Morgan during their confrontation on Raw:
    • The beauty of how us women are and how empowering we are with each other is it’s done in a certain way, and that’s what I appreciate. And WWE has said that to me from the beginning. They’ve been so incredible of respecting my boundaries and my son, which is amazing.
  • On the Toronto Sun’s No Holds Barred podcast, Natalya said WWE offered Nikki Bella a private locker room for Monday’s show – but Nikki turned it down because she wanted to change with the rest of the women’s roster.
  • Ron Killings made an appearance on Busted Open Radio today, cutting a passionate promo after Bully Ray was critical of him continuing to use the word “Truth” as part of his persona despite his gimmick change.
  • Killings said:
    • Who the f*ck he talking to? Who he telling me who I am? I know who I am. I’m protecting him. You see, everybody got somebody that’s trying to tell them who the f*ck they are. I know who I am. I’m not the nice one. I’m driving now! Don’t let nobody tell you who you are. You know you better than anybody else knows. And I know me better than anybody else knows me too. And they better put some respect on my name, because I am the truth.
    • How are you going to tell me why I cut my hair? I do what I want to do. It ain’t that nice time no more. But I’m not – I’m not angry. I just won’t be taken advantage of no more. Things are going to change around here. I’m driving now.
    • I don’t think people really understand. You’re going to have a lot of people put their input. You’ve got a lot of people that think they’re the maestro of your life, they’re the maestro of your emotions, they’re the maestro of your thoughts. Ain’t nobody the maestro to me, of me, or for me. I do me. I wish you would. I feel different. I feel more alive than I have ever felt. I’m driving now. Y’all can tell everybody that.
  • Tiffany Stratton threw out the first pitch at today’s New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals game, wildly missing the target in the process. Stratton joked afterwards that she was giving 50 Cent’s infamously bad first pitch a run for its money.
  • Natalya will be competing on WWE Evolve next Wednesday, teaming with Kali Armstrong against Nikkita Lyons & Zayda Steel.
  • Natalya responded to a fan on social media who said she’s been demoted to Evolve: “I very specifically asked to compete on this show for many reasons. I want to wrestle against women from every corner of our industry. When you’ve been hungry, you can never be full. #EVOLVE”
  • Logan Paul shared a new episode of his vlog.

Other Wrestling

  • In a new edition of her Mone Mag fan newsletter, Mercedes Mone reflected on how her life has changed since deciding to leave WWE:
    • Growing up, WWE was everything to me. I never imagined my life without it. But over time, I’ve come to realize that it’s not WWE I can’t live without; it’s pro wrestling itself. I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the person who sparked this journey for me. Because of that pivotal moment, my life changed for the absolute better.
    • Not a day goes by that I don’t feel grateful for that decision. It pushed me to new heights, matured me into a strong-willed CEO, and empowered me to take control of my life and future. I’m especially thankful for all my fans who have stood by me throughout this journey. 
    • I want to remind you all: when something doesn’t feel right and you start receiving signs from the universe, listen. I’ve been working on sharing my story, and trust me, when the time comes, it’s going to be one for the books.
    • I remember a higher-up once telling me, ‘The grass isn’t greener on the other side.’ Well, let me tell you—every seed I’ve planted over the years is growing and flourishing like never before. Becoming the highest-paid women’s wrestler is a beautiful flower that has blossomed, and I couldn’t be prouder.
    • Keep chasing your dreams because no one will stop mine.
  • During All In week, Dustin Rhodes will speak at an event called “The Natural Truth: A Conversation with Dustin Rhodes.” It’s taking place at Puzzles Deep Ellum in Dallas on Tuesday, July 8. Tickets are now available to purchase.
  • Will Ospreay, Bandido, and Anna Jay visited women’s soccer team Thorns FC ahead of last night’s AEW Summer Blockbuster event in Portland.
  • Nick Wayne was the guest on AEW Unrestricted this week.
  • AEW wished Jerry Lynn a happy 62nd birthday.
  • A National Openweight Championship match has been announced for MLW Summer of the Beasts with Ultimo Guerrero defending against Alex Hammerstone. The show is being held at Melrose Ballroom in New York City on Thursday, June 26 and will stream live on MLW’s YouTube channel for free.
  • On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, James Storm was asked to name his Mount Rushmore of TNA Wrestling:
    • Jeff Jarrett. AJ Styles, of course. People can say, and this is just me talking. I hate to put myself on there, but as the tag team, because I always look at Mount Rushmore as like, there should be people from different parts of the company, not just like all singles wrestlers. I look at me as like, I helped carry the tag team division in TNA, especially during the startup years and everything. I’d put Jeff Hardy on there, because he came in very early. A lot of people say Kurt, but I’m looking at guys who helped build the company before the Kurts and Samoa Joe and all these other guys were in there.
  • Ring the Belle interviewed Terri Runnels.