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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

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Friday Update

– The weekend schedule is that I’ll be doing a show today with Garrett Gonzales talking about this week’s giant issue of the Observer and news of the week, and tomorrow night Bryan and I will be talking about Survivor Series, Continental Classic and the latest news.

– The largest Observer issue in our history, having to catch up on two weeks, is out today:

  • Complete rundown of Full Gear, including addressing perception issues, why the crowd was difficult, business notes on attendance and PPV, timing, the Worlds End show and what it looks like, the head-to-head battle on 12/28 in Orlando and the Continental Classic.
  • A detailed look at the Conor McGregor sexual assault lawsuit, testimony, keys to the verdict, reactions from McGregor, Dee Devlin, Nikita Hand and others. We also look at the aftermath with companies breaking ties with McGregor, supermarkets and shops no longer carrying his products and the UFC lack of reaction, and how that compares with boxing history with top draws.
  • The business of Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul and explaining the numbers
  • Linda McMahon nominated by Trump as Secretary of Education and media coverage
  • Survivor Series coverage
  • The Ricky Starks GCW controversy, what happened, why it happened and how it could and should have been avoided
  • UFC 309 coverage with business notes, what’s next for the fighters, Jon Jones’ future and more
  • A look at the life and career of Mighty Inoue, who passed away this week, a Japanese wrestler from the 60s to 90s and later a referee, including the brief period when he was the top star in the IWE and his legendary bouts in Japan against all-time greats.
  • Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame balloting notes
  • The life of Colosso Colosetti, who was a star for three decades in Mexico and held several titles in the U.S. as well. We look at his biggest matches, and there were a ton of them.
  • The most detailed look at the ratings from the past two weeks
  • Advanced ticket sales for upcoming WWE, AEW and New Japan shows in the U.S. We also look at a key thing regarding ticket advances and sales in the U.S.
  • Former ROH star wins major world title in fantastic match in Mexico
  • Notes on an upcoming international event at Arena Mexico
  • Mistico talks his match with Chris Jericho
  • AAA’s biggest feud for 2025
  • Coverage of all the Japanese tournaments going on in Stardom, Dragon Gate, All Japan and New Japan
  • Kenny Omega’s return and New Japan/AEW Wrestle Dynasty update
  • Historic X-Over show notes
  • Former WWE talent openly talks about going for a gold medal in the 2028 Olympics
  • The second oldest male wrestler ever in a match took place over the weekend featuring one of the most famous wrestlers ever in his country
  • WWE star makes surprise appearance at an international show
  • Bloodsport notes
  • A look at AEW’s upcoming schedule
  • AEW moves the Brisbane show
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • Bellator fighters talking publicly about not getting fights
  • Lots of notes on the death of fighter Trokon Dousuah after a fight in Alberta and the backstory of all that happened
  • Value of WWE & UFC skyrockets
  • Lots on the Netflix debut and Saturday Night’s Main Event
  • Dwayne Johnson box office notes
  • Royal Rumble tickets
  • WWE changing how it handles comp tickets
  • How Comcast internal changes will affect WWE
  • Crown Jewel and Bound for Glory PPV updates
  • Lots on new WWE signees

– SmackDown tonight is a taped show:

  • Lash Legend vs. Michin vs. Piper Niven in the U.S. women’s title tournament
  • Andrade vs Shinsuke Nakamura
  • Cody Rhodes vs. Carmelo Hayes non-title
  • Jey Uso vs. Jacob Fatu for man advantage in Survivor Series

– No Rampage tonight but there will be a Collision/Rampage three-hour block from 4 to 7 p.m. Eastern and 1 to 4 p.m. Pacific time tomorrow on TNT:

  • Will Ospreay vs. Juice Robinson in the Continental Classic
  • Mistico & Private Party vs. MxM Collection & Johnny TV
  • Beast Mortos vs. Kyle Fletcher in the Continental Classic
  • Outrunners vs. Iron Savages
  • Adam Page vs. Wheeler Yuta
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Daniel Garcia in the Continental Classic
  • Thunder Rosa vs. Harleygram (Harley Cameron)
  • Komander vs. Hechicero
  • Beast Mortos vs. Serpentico
  • Atlantis Jr. & Mascara Dorada & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Top Flight & Action Andretti

– We’re looking for reports on the WrestleCade shows from Winston-Salem this week to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

– Our only weekend poll will be for Survivor Series, thumbs up, down or middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

– We are doing a Black Friday special with our podcasts on Apple Podcasts over the next three days free.

– We also have a 50 percent off sale for the website with the Observers and podcasts for one month through midnight tonight.

– The PFL $1 million to the winner championship fights just ended after a ten hour show. As someone who saw one of the greatest pro wrestling events in history which went 10 1/2 hours, I can say that under any circumstances, a ten hour show is too long.

  • Timur Khizriev (18-0) defeated Brendan Loughnane (29-6) to win the featherweight title via decision on scores of 50-45, 49-46 and 49-46.
  • Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) defeated Taila Santos (22-4) via TKO at 4:41 of the second round for the women’s flyweight title
  • Dovlet Yagshimuradov (25-8-1) defeated Impa Kasanganay (18-5) in :58 of round one via knockout for the light heavyweight title
  • Shamil Musaev (18-0-1) defeated Magomed Umalatov (17-1) via TKO at 1:44 of round three for the welterweight title
  • Gadzhi Rabadanov (24-4-1) defeated Brent Primus (15-4) via knockout at 2:31 of the third round for the lightweight title
  • Denis Goltsov (14-8) defeated Oleg Popov (19-2) via triangle at 2:55 of the first round for the heavyweight title

– Jerry Lawler and Dutch Mantell both turn 75 today.

– There is no UFC show this week. They return next week with a PPV in Las Vegas.

– Because of the holiday, Dynamite ratings are delayed until Monday or Tuesday.

– Wrestlenomics had the Raw quarter hours for Monday. The opening segment with Damian Priest and Gunther did 1,620,000 viewers and 667,000 in 18-49. There was a huge dip for Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee vs. Creeds to 1,330,000 viewers and 534,000 in 18-49. It steadily grew back to 1,610,000 and a show high 685,000 for the Finn Balor & JD McDonagh tag title defense against The War Raiders. Nia Jax vs. Bianca Belair for the War Games advantage in the main event did 1,570,000 viewers and 653,000 in 18-49.

– Survivor Series is starting at 6 p.m. Eastern tomorrow from Vancouver:

  • LA Knight vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the U.S. title
  • Bron Breakker vs. Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser for the IC title
  • Gunther vs. Damian Priest for the World Heavyweight title
  • Bianca Belair & Bayley & Iyo Sky & Naomi & Rhea Ripley vs. Nia Jax & Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez & Tiffany Stratton & Candice LeRae in WarGames
  • Roman Reigns & CM Punk & Usos & Sami Zayn vs. Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa & Jacob Fatu & Bronson Reed in WarGames

– Ernest Rheault, a wrestler and promoter out of Manitoba, passed away at the age of 94. Greg Oliver at Slam! Wrestling has a story on him.

– TNA Turning Point on TNA+ tonight from Winston-Salem, NC:

  • Nic Nemeth vs. Eddie Edwareds for TNA title
  • Masha Slamovich vs. Jordynne Grace for Knockouts title
  • Moose vs. Laredo Kid for X title
  • Turkey Bowl match with Eric Young, PCO, Brian Myers, Joe Hendry, John Skyler and Alex Hammerstone
  • Hardys & Ace Austin vs. Kushida & Zachary Wentz & TBA
  • Josh Alexander vs. Steve Maclin no DQ
  • Mike Santana vs. Frankie Kazarian
  • Savannah Evans vs. Xia Brookside vs. Rosemary

– Red Velvet defends the ROH women’s TV title against Leyla Hirsch on Final Battle at 12/20 at the Hammerstein Ballroom.

– Vadim Nemkov, a former Bellator champion who is 18-2, and who hasn’t lost since 2016, will face Ante Delija on the PFL’s 1/25 show in Dubai. The show is headlined by Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov defending the lightweight title against Paul Hughes.

– Elijah (Elias) vs. Real 1 (Enzo Amore) takes place on 12/14 on a Bobby Fulton show in Waverly, OH called December to Remember.

– Congratulations to Ray & Sara Rowe (Erik & Valhalla) on the birth of son Ezekiel Joseph Rowe yesterday.