Daily Update: Shinsuke Nakamura, Friday ratings, Sasha Banks

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qeC7uFhOps

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

October 31, 2022 Observer Newsletter: AEW completes All Out fight investigation, NXT Halloween Havoc

  • The new issue of the Observer is on the front page today. In hindsight, I think it’s kind of a sad issue filled with many what ifs, but highlights include:
  • The update on the situation after 9/4’s All Out PPV with the fight, suspensions, and investigation
  • The Wrestling Inc. story with new claims as to what happened, CM Punk’s thoughts from his side on things that had happened
  • More on why Punk did the interview he did on Adam Page
  • Reactions of others to that story
  • Why late 2023 and early 2024 are so key to AEW
  • How and why this was handled completely different from how UFC would handle a similar situation
  • The lessons of the entire situation
  • Full coverage of NXT Halloween Havoc
  • Comments from Shawn Michaels about the show
  • UFC 280 coverage and early business notes
  • Stardom PPV coverage and updates on the big decision regarding who is the first IWGP women’s champion
  • Ratings for all the major shows including how the main segments did
  • Major womens tournament news
  • Update on Laredo Kid injury situation
  • Next major AAA show
  • First pro wrestling show ever at Ariake Arena
  • Update on Karl Anderson in New Japan situation
  • New Japan TV title tournament thoughts and updates
  • New Japan joint tour next year
  • Former pro wrestling star inducted into sports Hall of Fame
  • Billy Corgan talks ideas for NWA to work with WWE or AEW
  • Legendary pro wrestling arena in danger of being torn down
  • New major project with Bret Hart coming involving Wrestling with Shadows being re-released
  • Tales from the Territory thoughts
  • Shocker gives his side of the story
  • Next few weeks of Impact TV
  • Update on AEW viewing and how many people have watched TV this year, plus actual numbers that watch the show weekly and other shows which is not the Nielsen number
  • New AEW signings
  • Upcoming ticket sales for AEW & WWE events
  • More notes on Chris Jericho’s first three AEW contracts
  • Thunder Rosa update
  • AEW overseas distribution update
  • Dana White talks Jon Jones return
  • Very interesting Conor McGregor note
  • Bellator part of Japan’s New Year’s Eve show
  • Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva notes
  • Lawsuit filed against Jake Paul
  • What types of angles can we expect more of in WWE
  • Early notes on “Black Adam”
  • WWE injury notes
  • How the World Series will effect pro wrestling shows this week
  • WWE talent up for a number of awards
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • New movies with WWE legend
  • Paul Heyman gets international mainstream exposure
  • First WWE talents to hit 100 matches this year

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.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

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.

Monday News Update

Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio. We’ll be talking all the news as well as talking with Nick Hausman of Wrestling Inc. regarding the AEW situation with C.M. Punk.

Shinsuke Nakamura spoke with Tokyo Sports, as did Pro Wrestling NOAH, regarding the Great Muta vs. Nakamura match on 1/1 at Budokan Hall that was announced yesterday. Nakamura pushed heavily for it. NOAH had the idea as soon as they announced the Keiji Muto retirement series in June. WWE at first turned down the idea but after Vince McMahon left the company, NOAH tried again to put the match together. WWE only agreed to allowing the match on Wednesday. Nakamura referred to it as “What is it? A dream? An illusion? It’s unmistakable, it’s reality.” In Tokyo Sports, he said, “It can only be called a miracle. I opened a door that no one could break in. Hahaha…it’s a real ‘Forbidden Door’.”

I would say I wouldn’t read anything into the Friday ratings because of the World Series competition, although both shows were down greatly from one year ago when they went against the World Series. Still, SmackDown has been doing well normally and people are used to the FS 1 number being way down and next week it bounces back.  

Raw tonight faces probably its stiffest competition of the year, but with Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns on tonight’s show, that may help them from doing any worse than last week. The show goes against Monday Night Football, which is the Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals. Plus in the past, Halloween has hurt wrestling numbers as well. It’s the go-home show for Crown Jewel so likely angles with Lesnar vs. Lashley. Logan Paul isn’t advertised for tonight so likely no physical angle with Reigns. They can’t do anything with Omos and Braun Strowman physically since Strowman is in Europe. Bianca Belair vs. Nikki Cross, Matt Riddle vs. Otis in a Trick or Street fight and Johnny Gargano promising the tell the truth about Miz nd Dexter Lumis are billed. Raw had 8,400 tickets out as of this morning.

The WWE Smackdown crew, minus Rey Mysterio, Los Lotharios and Legado del Fantasma (who went on the Mexico Raw tour instead) and without Roman Reigns have three more days on a European tour. They run tonight in Stuttgart, Germany, tomorrow in Dortmund, Germany and Wednesday in Geneva, Switzerland before the crew goes to Saudi Arabia. We’re looking for results, finishes and highlights from these shows to dave@wrestlingobserver.com . 

Advertised for Stuttgart today and Dortmund tomorrow ware Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn, Usos & Solo Sikoa vs. Imperium, Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin, Ricochet vs. Xavier Woods, Ridge Holland vs. Madcap Moss, Hit Row vs. Maximum Male Models and Natalya vs. Shotzi plus Liv Morgan. Corbin was not on yesterday’s show so they may have taken him off the tour for Raw tonight.

We’re also looking for reports from Dallas tonight with Main Event matches, dark matches and anything else not on the live show.

Regarding Sasha Banks, she was a WWE guest at the show last night in Mexico City and was hanging around with Bayley. AAA wrestler Mamba took both to a restaurant and bar. One would think that means relations between the WWE and Banks aren’t negative right now.

Also at the show last night, there was an incident described as this: “There was a scary incident that angered some fans in attendance. Quetzalli Bulnes, host of WWE Ahora on YouTube, wanted to give an unplanned spot on the show to one of her friends, a wrestling YouTuber from Spain named Falbak, who was in ringside. Falbak jumped the barricade after Quetzalli encouraged him to do so. Byron Saxton called security to catch him, but Quetzalli ordered them not to do anything to him. Byron Saxton’s face was one of fear and then of anger with Quetzalli for this situation of which he, clearly, had no knowledge. Falbak attempted to get into the ring, but Quetzalli angrily yelled at him to leave and return to ringside. It was reported that Falbak apparently asked Quetzalli for a shout-out at the show and to go for him at ringside, because if she did that, he would give her a gift. But, Falbak’s plan would have been to get into the ring, declare his love for her and steal a kiss from her, regardless of Quetzalli’s response.” (thanks to William Beltran and Super Luchas)

We’re taking a poll this week on the New Japan show at the Palladium in New York, thumbs up, down or middle, best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

Kevin Von Erich talks Zac Efron playing him in the upcoming Von Erichs movie

Regarding the “Wrestling with Shadows re-release that I did a 90 minute discussion for the new release with Bret Hart, it will be available around February.

Other Notes

WWE is doing a sale on some tickets through tonight for discounted tickets for upcoming shows in Pittsburgh, Norfolk, Louisville, Indianapolis and Tampa using the code scary on Ticketmaster.

VH-1 airs another episode of Surreal Life with CJ Perry (Lana) and Dennis Rodman at 9 p.m. Eastern.

Tales from the Territories tomorrow at 10 p.m. covers Stampede Wrestling with a panel of Bret Hart, Abdullah the Butcher, David Schultz and Bobby Bass. 

Tickets for NJPW on 2/18 in San Jose at the Civic Auditorium has a presale on Wednesday using the code NJPW and a public sale on Friday.

Bob Magee has a list of independent shows and charity work and contributions:

      • 1CW Pro Wrestling held Chokeslamming Cancer in Houston, DE on October 15, raising $4,200 for local cancer charities.
      • Live Pro Wrestling returned to Goderich, ON at Goderich Memorial Arena on October 15. $6,000 (and counting) went to the Hunter Costello Memorial Fun-dation, as part of a family friendly night of entertainment with live matches, silent auction, meet and greets with the performers, and a fundraising BBQ before the event.
      • GCW Charity Wrestling returned on October 15 to The Germania Club of Hamilton, ON, collecting 50 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.
      • Wrestle Against Hunger returned to Tulsa, OK on October 15, collecting and later distributing bags of non-perishable groceries, frozen hams, donuts and other items.
      • Amped Up Wrestling presented Halloween Slam and Jam in Inglewood, CA on October 16 to raise $2,000 for the Joan and Harry A. Mier Center of Ability First.
      • CanAm Wrestling returned to Calgary, AB on October 19, for “Pick Your Poison” as part of their efforts with Nanbert Manor raising $170 benefitting 500 Toys for 500 Kids.
      • WrestlePro debuted in Chicago, IL on Friday night October 28, teaming up with Hope For Us Network as they presented “Champions Of Hope” to help support suicide prevention. The show was termed “a huge success” with the amount raised coming shortly.
      • World’s Finest Wrestling returned to Connersville, IN on October 29 with $256 raised going to the family of Kylee Cooper.
      • IWA Productions presented its 10th annual Wrestling for a Cause show in Mount Vernon, IL on October 30 raising $1,000 for the mammogram department at Crossroads Hospital
      • GCW Charity Wrestling came to Aurora, ON on October 30, collecting 100 pounds of non-perishable food for the Operation Sucog Food Bank.

Dungeon Wrestling promoted by Dallas Hart in Calgary Saturday: Tiger Raj Singh b Michael R. Blais, Bruno Blanco b The Prophets, Billington Bulldogs NC Bollywood Boyz, Brian Pillman Jr. b Chris Knight, Chis Masters b Rohan, Mo Jabari b CK Crimson-DQ, Nick Aldis b Harry Smith to win the Stu Hart Heritage championship (thanks to Ross Hart)