Daily Update: SmackDown ratings, Dakota Kai, Fuego Del Sol

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter: COVID strikes pro wrestling again, Warner Bros. Discovery & AEW

  • The new issue of the Observer has these stories:
  • Major players from five companies test positive for COVID causing changes in television or major shows.
  • Sunday’s Fukuoka Dome show and a look back at the previous pro wrestling events in the building that featured some of the biggest American stars of all-time.
  • The Discovery/Warner merger, what was said at the earnings call about cutbacks, and the different ways this can go for AEW
  • Streaming vs. television and the realities of the numbers
  • Wrestling on television in every category, who is up, who is down, factoring out cable losses, and reasons behind the ups and downs.
  • WWE & AEW shows coming up between now and August ticket sales, interest in the secondary market, how many seats WWE is setting up for the stadium shows
  • WrestleMania Backlash card update and business update
  • Saturday’s UFC report
  • New wrestling history television show series being filmed and who is behind it
  • Karl Lauer and the growth of the Cauliflower Alley Club
  • Ratings of all the television shows of the past week
  • Death of Toro Bill Jr.
  • Preview of TripleMania
  • Unique statement by L.A. Park about TripleMania
  • All Japan, Dragon Gate, NOAH and other Japanese events
  • This week’s PWG show
  • MLW answers the WWE’s attempt to get the lawsuit by MLW thrown out
  • Personnel changes in Impact
  • AEW injury notes
  • AEW’s Double or Nothing show
  • Updates on ticket sales for WWE & AEW shows
  • Promotion gets major television deal with Amazon Prime
  • Tyson Fury on Drew McIntyre and Francis Ngannou
  • Peacock business update
  • WWE survey sent to fans about what they want
  • Biggest streaming numbers from the week

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter: March 21, 2005 Observer Newsletter: Raw leaving Spike TV, TNA Destination X review

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Saturday News Update

WWE

  • Against night two of the NFL Draft, last night’s SmackDown averaged 1.86 million viewers in the fast national ratings, up from the 1.805 million the show averaged in the fast nationals last week. The second hour of the show also went against an NBA playoff game. SmackDown’s overnight rating in the 18-49 demo was a 0.4 in the first hour and a 0.3 in the third.
  • Bayley tweeted about Dakota Kai’s release from WWE: “I can never fully express how much Dakota Kai has helped me during my injury process. She constantly checks in on me, reassures what I’m feeling is only temporary, and shares her experience with me so I don’t feel alone. And Dakota is one of the main reasons I couldn’t wait to get healthy. For the opportunity to wrestle her, to work alongside her, to make history with her. Now I just have to be jealous of whoever gets to. We love you Charlie! See you around”
  • Bayley also sent Kai flowers and chocolates following her release.
  • Persia Pirotta commented on her release from WWE: “Today I woke up & chose gratitude. I am grateful for so many things. I met some of my BEST friends here, I took my grandparents name and showcased it on a platform as big as WWE. I surprised myself with the things I was able to achieve in a relatively short period of time. If anyone knows how to make lemonade out of lemons though, it is me. Time to level up stephdelander@gmail.com”
  • After being released by WWE, Dexter Lumis tweeted a thumbs up to WWE, Vince McMahon, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels. Lumis’ booking email is BookSamuelShaw@gmail.com.
  • Draco Anthony thanked everyone who’s reached out to him after his release: “That one hurt. But eventually I’ll be ok. Thanks to every1 reaching out, I just don’t know what words to say to be honest. Thankful and grateful for the opportunity. Enjoy the weekend”
  • Drew McIntyre, Madcap Moss, and Sheamus & Ridge Holland were interviewed on Talking Smack this week.
  • Santino Marella tweeted about his daughter Arianna Grace (real name Bianca Carelli) debuting on NXT Level Up last night: “Tonight it comes full circle, my parents would record every episode of #Raw & #SmackDown when they knew I was going to be on. I just set the DVR to record my daughter’s debut on #NXTLevelUp #proud”
  • Cody Rhodes was the guest on this week’s episode of WWE After the Bell.
  • WWE’s YouTube channel uploaded John Cena vs. John Laurinaitis from Over the Limit 2012, Naomi, Charlotte & Becky Lynch vs. Carmella, Natalya & Tamina from Backlash 2017, and The Undertaker vs. Booker T from Judgment Day 2004.

Other Wrestling

  • Fuego Del Sol noted that he was in the hospital all day yesterday with a mouth infection: “Been in the hospital all day with a horrible mouth infection, surgery is done and on the road to recovery! Hopefully leaving this place tomorrow! Send positive vibes my way!”
  • Darius Martin posted a picture on Twitter revealing that he’s dealing with multiple injuries.
  • William Regal is donating the proceeds from his T-shirt sales on Pro Wrestling Tees to benefit Shinjiro Otani: “I don’t do this normally publicly but I’m trying to help a old dear friend of mine, Shinjiro Otani. A little part of that is that any of my tshirts under my account at @PWTees will be donated to his care. Thank you.
  • After having to vacate the GHC Tag Team titles this February due to a hip injury, Keiji Muto will return to the ring at a Pro Wrestling NOAH show on Saturday, May 21. Muto, Naomichi Marufuji & Satoshi Kojima will face Go Shiozaki, Kaito Kiyomiya & Masato Tanaka in a six-man tag match.
  • Rob Van Dam has been announced for CyberFight Festival on Sunday, June 12.
  • Mercedes Martinez appeared on AEW Unrestricted this week.
  • Sports Illustrated interviewed Kazuchika Okada
  • Microman has been announced for MLW’s Kings of Colosseum tapings in Philadelphia on Friday, May 13.
  • Maria Kanellis-Bennett and Bobby Cruise’s Women’s Wrestling Army promotion has announced four matches for their debut show in Providence, Rhode Island tomorrow (May 1):
    • Taya Valkyrie vs. Tasha Steelz
    • Miranda Alize vs. Laynie Luck
    • The Hex (Allysin Kay & Marti Belle) vs. Holidead & Willow Nightingale for the NWA Women’s Tag Team titles
    • Janai Kai vs. Nicole Savoy