Daily Update: The Rock, Athena, WrestleCon Supershow

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Observer up on the site is filled with tons of detailed news stories, between more on the Vince McMahon situation, WrestleMania 40 and the press conference, the new streaming services and changes in the sports media ecosystem, Rossy Ogawa and Scott D’Amore being fired as heads of Stardom and TNA, Steve McMichael makes the NFL Hall of Fame, and a study of AEW PPV buys.

  • How Vince McMahon was let go
  • The federal investigation of McMahon
  • What they were looking for and confiscated and how it ties in with other news
  • Who else has been talked with
  • Lots more on the Ashley Massaro situation
  • Why Ari Emanuel needs to answer a lot of questions
  • WrestleMania 40 blurring the lines
  • A look at the press conference and reaction to Rock
  • Update on Elimination Chamber
  • A look at the new sports streaming service that many networks are partnering in
  • The firing of Rossy Ogawa with a look into the background of what happened
  • Comments from both Taro Okada and Ogawa with both sides
  • Different booking decisions overruled
  • How AEW & WWE fit into the story
  • Firing of Scott D’Amore, the background of it, the talent meeting, how successful the last PPV show really was
  • Full coverage of NXT Stand & Deliver
  • A study of AEW PPV buyers and what it reveals
  • Steve McMichael makes NFL Hall of Fame as one of his last wishes and a look back at his run, plus other wrestlers in the NFL Hall of Fame
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of all the wrestling TV shows, demo breakdowns, comparisons with last year, segment numbers and what can be learned from it
  • Huge feud appears to be brewing with AEW internationally
  • Gran Alternativa final draws back at Arena Mexico
  • AAA Rey de Reyes notes
  • Stardom anniversary show notes
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Toby Keith and his connection with wrestling that you probably do know and may not know
  • 40th anniversary of the death of El Santo and David Von Erich
  • Bret Hart talks problems with today’s wrestling
  • One of the best promos of the year by Amira
  • Lots more on Revolution
  • Largest crowds ever in Greensboro
  • Wembley Stadium update
  • Attendance updates for upcoming WWE, AEW and UFC shows
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Gina Carano sues Disney
  • More WrestleMania updates
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • TV reviews and show notes
  • Two personalities in Super Bowl commercials Sunday

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • The Rock made an in-character Instagram post directed at Cody Rhodes:
          • Hear the rumble
          • Hear the rumble
          • Run for dem life, when we step into the jungle
          • You f*cked around and found out quick, didn’t you boy?
          • You, your little friends and all your crybabies have no idea what’s coming.
          • The world’s on notice.
          • ~ People’s Champ + Tribal Chief
  • The custom WWE title belt that the Kansas City Chiefs received for winning the Super Bowl was on display during their parade today, including being worn by star tight end Travis Kelce.
  • In an interview with Fox News, Jade Cargill reflected on her Royal Rumble debut:
          • It felt amazing. I felt accepted. I felt on top of the world. I think I had one of the biggest pops of the night. That was 1-of-1. I wish I could relive it again. It was just a moment for the ages.
  • LA Knight and Big E were guests on WWE’s The Bump this afternoon. Sam Roberts co-hosted the show today following the release of Matt Camp.
  • People interviewed Sonya Deville and her wife Toni Cassano about their wedding.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • During an appearance on Sunday Night’s Main Event, Athena commented on potentially getting to face Mercedes Mone:
          • When it comes to Big Business, I am immensely curious – as you all are – because that is the thing that is the most closed-lip thing in this entire locker room. But if what I think is going to happen, and I think we all think, we hope – like, we’re hoping – is I might finally get one of my dream matches. And that is one of the coolest things because I’ve shared the ring with this person many times. And whether we were on the same tag team on live events in WWE, to us getting to briefly touch in Money in the Bank, to us briefly touching in this awesome fatal four-way that we had on Raw, I just wish the world for this person because she is someone that I think is one of the absolute best wrestlers in the world. And though I love to be immensely humble about myself, because I do have those self-esteem issues, I would love to see what I could really stack up against with this person if she does come here. And I would like to see if I was better than her. I would like to see what we could create, because I’m a firm believer of – when you have two dedicated women to the cause – it’s going to be money, it’s going to be magic. And this woman has had some of the best matches in women’s wrestling history. And I just have to [face her]. I don’t care if I have to go to Japan for it. I just have to get it one time. It’s really cool.
  • Dustin Rhodes told Sports Guys Talking Wrestling that he thinks he could have another two to four years left in the ring:
          • The older I get, the harder it gets. The thing about me is my work ethic. I work hard and every time that red light is on, I try to do my very best. So far, being here for the five years that I have, in my 50’s, I’m doing amazing. I’ve not had one bad match. It’s been pretty cool to think back of all the good matches I’ve had in AEW. I’ve wrestled everybody. It’s unbelievable. [Retirement] has been on my mind. Last year, I said I got one year left, and I’m going past that. I don’t want to say that again because you never say never, right? I see myself, two to four more years, if my legs allow me to. If Tony Khan is gracious enough to keep me around and keep me on television, that’s great. Whatever I can do to help. I love producing, too, so that’s also what I can fall back on. There are a lot of good things going on there; I have a lot. I take it one day at a time and one show at a time. Whatever Tony gives me, I go out there, and I’m going to blow it out of the park and have some fun. I’ll be sore for a week and a half after.
  • AEW’s YouTube channel uploaded the first episode of Johnny Loves Taya, a weekly scripted romantic comedy series.
  • AEW’s RJ City commented on WWE releasing broadcaster Matt Camp: “Matt Camp was as good at his job as anyone I’ve seen hosting anything pro wrestling-related. I know that’s meaningless coming from me, but still.”
  • Daniel Garcia appeared on Busted Open Radio ahead of tonight’s Dynamite.
  • Alicia Atout interviewed Roderick Strong.
  • The first episode of Dark Side of the Ring’s new Unheard podcast is now available. The podcast is in partnership with The Lapsed Fan.
  • Rob Van Dam will face “Speedball” Mike Bailey at WrestleCon’s Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow in Philadelphia during WrestleMania week on Thursday, April 4.
  • Gringo Loco vs. Volador Jr. will take place at Joey Janela’s Spring Break 8 in Philly on Friday, April 5.
  • Alex Kane vs. Bobby Fish has been announced for MLW Intimidation Games in New York City on Thursday, February 29.
  • MLW also announced Delmi Exo vs. Zayda for the TV tapings portion of the February 29 event. The winner becomes the number one contender to Janai Kai’s Women’s Featherweight Championship.
  • Danhausen will face Charles Mason at GCW Ashes to Ashes in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Saturday, March 9.