Daily Update: The Rock, CM Punk surgery, death of Carl Weathers

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Friday Update

– Garrett and I just finished a show covering all the news of the week, covering every aspect of the Vince McMahon story, and other subjects as well. Bryan and I will be back Sunday night covering the WrestleMania main event, NXT, Collision and much more.

– The new issue of the Observer is an in-depth story on the fall of Vince McMahon. We go through all aspects of the story and have reactions from many people on subjects not talked about including feelings of different wrestlers, how this departure was different from the first McMahon departure, John Laurinaitis, Brock Lesnar, Stephanie McMahon, Ari Emanuel, Paul Levesque, Ann Callis and why she may end up a major figure in wrestling and this story going forward and much more. It’s a timeline in detail and what the timeline opens up.

  • The John Laurinaitis story
  • More questions on Ari Emanuel’s decision
  • Paul Levesque’s performance
  • Shawn Michaels reaction
  • Reaction from several in the business
  • Why Vince McMahon apparently stopped payments
  • Who is Ann Callis and why is she so important to this story
  • The insurance angle
  • The original investigation
  • The timeline of Stephanie McMahon
  • The various allegations and settlements
  • Members of the board leaving
  • Vince’s power play to return
  • Dwayne Johnson and Pat McAfee
  • Vince’s background
  • Full Royal Rumble coverage
  • Rumble surprises and debuts
  • WrestleMania original lineup and what is changing
  • Rumble records
  • Business numbers
  • Rock vs. Roman update
  • The most detailed look at the ratings over the past week
  • New streaming channel for a promotion that is getting criticized due to price
  • Okada and Mercedes updates
  • Anniversary show for one of the most important cultural matches in history
  • Top matches of 2023
  • TNA PPV update
  • AEW valuation
  • Upcoming ticket sales for the major WWE & AEW shows
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • Update on MJF
  • Which company has the highest current injury rate, AEW or WWE?
  • Jericho Cruise notes
  • Conor McGregor update
  • TV announcer talks his frustrations with social media
  • Documentary on MAX about a UFC fighter about to be released
  • Lots more on the Netflix deal
  • Best merchandise sellers
  • Notes from all the TV shows

– Obviously the WrestleMania main event will be very clear by the time you read this, if not shortly thereafter. Dwayne Johnson is in Birmingham (where SmackDown is tonight).

– Besides the new Observer, some other stories you should look at from today include:

– Want to make mention of the death of Carl Weathers, who played the iconic character Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky movies, one of which included Hulk Hogan. The current Creed series is based on Michael B. Jordan as the son of Apollo Creed. Weathers was 76. He was a huge part of the moviegoing experiences of people in the 70s and early 80s. He was also an accomplished actor away from the Creed character, which was loosely based on Muhammad Ali.

– I’ll be on NewsNation tonight at 10 p.m. Eastern talking about Vince McMahon, Ari Emanuel and TKO.

– CM Punk underwent surgery to repair his torn right triceps yesterday.

– SmackDown tonight is built around Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes and Dwayne Johnson and the WrestleMania angle. Bayley also chooses her WrestleMania opponent and Logan Paul will appear.

– Rampage tonight at 10 p.m. Eastern on TNT:

  • Ricky Starks & Big Bill vs. Alex Reynolds & John Silver non-title
  • Private Party vs. Top Flight
  • Willow Nightingale vs. Queen Aminata
  • Mistico & Volador Jr. & Hechicero & Mascara Dorada vs. Matt Menard & Angelo Parker & Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal

– Joe Rogan signed a new multi-year deal with Spotify, reportedly for $250 million over the course of the deal. Even at that price, his podcast, while airing on Spotify, will also air on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and YouTube. Spotify will be in charge of the distribution and ad sales.

– Mistico & Brillante Jr. vs. Mascara Dorada & Neon in the Gran Alternativa tournament final headlines Arena Mexico tonight. Neon is likely the winner since he’s got the charisma and ability to be a major star if he doesn’t kill himself with his style. Mistico vs. Dorada matches up the two hottest tecnicos in the company.

– The movie “Argyle,” with John Cena as one of the stars, will debut at theaters around the country tonight. It’s a spy thriller movie.

– Love & WWE: Bianca & Montez has all eight episodes streaming now on Hulu.

– For this weekend, we’ll be doing a poll on NXT Vengeance Day so you can leave a thumbs up, down or middle, best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

– We’re also looking for reports on these weekend shows

  • WWE tonight in Birmingham, AL (dark matches and off television notes)
  • AEW Collision tomorrow in Edinburg, TX (ROH stuff and dark matches)
  • WWE house show tomorrow in Knoxville, TN
  • WWE house show Sunday in Corbin, KY

We’re looking for results, finishes and highlights to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

– UFC is on ESPN+ starting at 4 p.m. Eastern tomorrow:

  • Thomas Peterson (261.5) vs. Jamal Pogues (265.5)
  • Landon Quinones (155.5) vs. MarQuel Mederos (155.5)
  • Luana Carolina (129) vs. Julija Stoiarkenio (125) – Carolina missed weight and was fined
  • Jeong Yeonhg Lee (146) vs. Blake Bilder (144.5)
  • Themba Gorimbo (170.5) vs. Pete Rodriguez (170.5)
  • Azat Maksum (126) vs. Charles Johnson (125.5)
  • Molly McCann (116) vs. Diana Belbita (116)
  • Gilbert Urbina (171) vs. Charlie Radtke (170.5)
  • Aliaskhab Khiziev (186) vs. Makmud Muradov (185.5)
  • Viviane Araujo (126) vs. Natalia Silva (125.5)
  • Randy Brown (171) vs. Muslim Salikhov (171)
  • Renato Moicano (156) vs. Drew Dober (156)
  • Roman Dolidze (186) vs. Nassourdine Imavov (185)

– Hattan Alsaif became the first woman from Saudi Arabia to sign with a major MMA promotion when she signed this week with the PFL. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a minority owner of the PFL/Bellator merged company. She has competed in Muay Thai but never in MMA.

– Wendi Richter will be honored in July at the TMart Promotions “The Gathering” in Charlotte, NC. She will join The Von Erichs being honored as well as Angelo Mosca being honored and his son accepting for him. Some of the people at the convention will also be King Parsons, Mick Foley, Brian Adias, Jack Victory, John Nord, Missy Hyatt,Rod Price, Leilani Kai, Judy Martin, Itzuki Yamazaki, Noriyo Tateno (JB Angels), Raven, Jerry Lawler, One Man gang, Little Guido, Jimmy Valiant, Lacey Von Erich, Angelina Love, Velvet Sky, Bobcat, George South, Tony Atlas, Marty Jannetty, Rockin Robin and many more.

– Unagi Sayaka was announced for the West Coast Pro show on 3/23 at the United Irish Cultural Center in San Francisco, CA.