Daily Update: SmackDown notes, Don West tributes, Sasha Banks

Daily Update

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

The new issue of the Observer is up on the site with these stories:
*The life and times of Stephan Bonnar, a look at a person who was one of the key building blocks of the popularity of UFC, including the Forrest Griffin fight, his relationship with Griffin after the fight, season one of Ultimate Fighter and the building years, life after UFC, the feud with Tito Ortiz, his pro wrestling days and much more.
*Match of the week and performer of the week
*The WWE signing of Dragon Lee, full details of the deal, unique stipulations in the deal, how long WWE had been after him and what he told people he asked for decision making help
*How AAA, WWE and AEW had talent on the same show, including in the same match and the unique situation there
*Coverage of Wednesday’s AAA show in Acapulco, production issues, match to go out of your way to see
*What AEW knew about Dragon Lee
*Comparing his potential in AEW and WWE
*WWE talks using Lee to help expand
*A look at Stardom’s Sumo Hall show
*A look at a lot of Stardom plans going forward
*Dragon Gate’s Final Gate show
*WWE does its traditional Christmas week show in Madison Square Garden
*How the show did as compared with the last 13 years
*The life and times of Hall of Famer Johnny Doyle, one of the great promoters of all-time
*A detailed look at the ratings over the past week
*Streaming numbers and international TV numbers
*CMLL’s Jan. 1 cage match where somebody loses their mask
*Konnan talks about his health
*Cain Velasquez talks about his returning to wrestle and teaming with Daniel Cormier
*All Japan bringing in Minoru Suzuki
*NOAH’s Budokan Hall show
*Tokyo Dome preview
*Shibata vs. Tom Lawlor
*Ricky Steamboat talks why he didn’t wrestle Ric Flair
*Notes on the death of former WWE promoter Doc Holliday and why he was so well liked
*Anniversary of the first splash off the cage top
*AEW loses TV outlet in Canada and story behind it
*Tony Khan says AEW isn’t going anywhere
*Ticket sales for upcoming AEW & WWE shows
*Bellator signs former Olympic medalist
*WrestleMania updates
*Mysterio family angle
*Notes from all the WWE holiday house shows

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:

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Saturday Update

WWE

  • Last night’s SmackDown, which featured the in-ring return of John Cena, averaged 2.44 million viewers in the fast national ratings, up from last week’s 2.213 million fast national average. The rating in the 18-49 demo was a 0.5.
  • Cena spoke to the crowd after SmackDown went off the air last night.
  • Ricochet appeared to accidentally give Gunther a chair shot to the head on SmackDown. While saving Braun Strowman from an attack by Imperium, Ricochet swung a chair over the top rope at Gunther and struck him in the head. Gunther was busted open by the chair shot and checked on by officials at ringside, but PWInsider reports that he “seemed OK” after.
  • WWE uploaded a post-show interview with Charlotte Flair after she defeated Ronda Rousey for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Charlotte called 2022 the best year of her life.
  • PWInsider notes that Dave Bautista made a “quick visit” backstage at SmackDown in Tampa but was not there for the majority of the show. Ric Flair and Gerald Brisco were backstage at the event as well.
  • At last night’s WWE house show, Mustafa Ali paid tribute to indie wrestler Jaysin Strife by wearing the name “Jaysin” on his armband. Strife (real name Nathan Blodgett), who was also a promoter and trainer, passed away at 37 years old this week after a lengthy illness.
  • Adam Pearce wrote about Strife’s passing: “Godspeed, Jaysin Strife. Thank you for always doing it the right way. I never saw you treat anybody with anything other than respect, myself included. I’m glad that we met and worked together, and I’m so glad we got to catch up a couple of weeks ago. Rest well, my brother.”

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • NewsRadio 560 KPQ in Washington, where Don West formerly worked, posted a remembrance of West.
  • Dixie Carter wrote about West’s passing: “Broken-hearted to hear about the passing of Don West…. Heaven gained the greatest salesman. Prayers to his family. #RIP #oneofakind”
  • Abyss: “Rest in Peace @DonWestDeals. Don was a major part of my career. Don always had a smile on his face, a good story to tell, a solid sports outcome to predict, and was always so happy and treated everyone who he came in contact with like a friend. Good bye Don. See you down the road.”
  • Kurt Angle: “Sorry to hear about the passing of Impact Wrestling Commentator Don West. Don was an incredible man with so much energy. My Prayers go to his family. #RIPDon”
  • Nick Aldis: “Don West was a force of nature. He threw his whole being into everything he did. We’ve been able to talk on the phone with D-Dub a few times in recent months, and even as he was battling devastating illness, that personality shone through. God speed DW. RIP.”
  • Gail Kim tweeted a clip of West high-fiving Mike Tenay: “This is the epitome of what Don West was like all the time. His energy, positivity and love for wrestling was always shining when we worked together. What a voice, what a man….. you will always be missed Don. Today is a sad day #RIPDonWest”
  • Eric Young: “RIP Don West! A great man in every sense of the word! LOVE YOU BROTHER!!! The world lost another amazing person to this terrible disease is not having your amazing spirit around anymore is all of our loss! Today I will celebrate the man you where and the legacy you left!”
  • Frankie Kazarian: “RIP Don West. Truly devastating news. A great friend and someone who had one of the most infectious personalities I’ve ever known. A true joy to be around all of the time. I cherish the laughs, conversations and fun times we had together. Godspeed my friend.”
  • Christopher Daniels: “Rest In Peace Don West. You were an incredible person to work with, and I thank you for the excitement you brought to calling our matches. You will be missed.”
  • Sonjay Dutt: “RIP Don West. An incredibly fun, thoughtful and caring man. So many great memories. You will be missed my friend.”
  • Josh Alexander: “The voice of TNA/@IMPACTWRESTLING passed away today. So many iconic moments & calls forever burned into my memory in his voice. I never met the man, but he’s loved by everyone I’ve met that knew him. He made a mark & will never be forgotten. RIP Don West”
  • Matt Hardy: “Saddened to learn about the passing of Don West. Had great experiences every time I interacted with him. Don was one of the good guys, who was overflowing with passion & enthusiasm. My condolences go out to his family.”
  • Mercedes Varnado (Sasha Banks) has filed a trademark for “Mone’ Banks.” The trademark was filed through Varnado’s Soulnado company on December 27.
  • NJPW published a new year address from company president Takami Ohbari:
          • Happy New Year to everyone.
          • Thank you for all your support through our 50th Anniversary year.
          • We will start 2023 with Wrestle Kingdom 17 in the Tokyo Dome on January 4. This will be the conclusion of our 50th Anniversary, as well as an Antonio Inoki memorial celebration. With the traditions of Fighting Spirit and Strong Style in our hearts, you will see the culmination of half a century of NJPW, and a major first step into our next 50 years.
          • Honoring tradition while innovating for the future, we vow not to fear change, but instead to leave fans surprised and enthralled as we personify the King of Sports name. We look forward to your continued support, and wish you all a happy and prosperous 2023.
  • NJPW’s English-language website has an interview with Will Ospreay ahead of Wrestle Kingdom 17.
  • Kenny Omega tweeted to Ospreay: “Do you feel the pressure yet, Will? The world is watching. Your company is relying on you. I’ve been here too many times to count. I feel nothing. It’s time to rise up or fall and learn the most valuable lesson of your career.”