Daily Update: WWE Evolve, Steve Austin, Will Ospreay

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Highlights:

  • A complete look at  WWE & UFC business, the numbers, the trends, prospectus for 2025, why profits were so low, Saudi Arabia, media rights, crazy gates, boxing, , new TV shows and more.
  • The return to WWE of Dwayne Johnson, why it happened, where it has the most effect, the Rhodes angle and more.
  • Vince McMahon legal updates, latest arguments in the Grant case, as well as notes from the shareholder lawsuit against WWE and members of the board or letting McMahon back in the company, charges about the investigation and lots of new news regarding the board of directors actions from the day of the first Wall Street Journal article until the McMahon return.
  • Osamu Nishimura passes away, one of the smoothest wrestlers of modern times
  • Ryan Nemeth’s lawsuit against AEW, Tony Khan and CM Punk, legitimacy, silliness, claims and more details on those claims
  • Preview of Elimination Chamber and AEW Revolution, odds, cards and consumer demand
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the major U.S. wrestling shows
  • What is notable about Torneo Escuelas
  • Stardom has excellent PPV show
  • Fantastica Mania notes
  • Promotion sues a fan
  • Queen of the Ring notes and history form that period
  • Death of Portland announcer Don Coss
  • Lawsuit involving WWE Hall of Fame settled
  • Woman star has health issue
  • Major injury updates
  • WBD business
  • Lots of new AEW matches
  • Advance ticket sales for WWE & AEW shows
  • More on UFC & WWE 2026 business prospects with new deals coming in
  • Why the TKO stock price dropped greatly
  • Dark Side of the Cage notes
  • More on discontent with WWE employees
  • Goals of the WWE/UFC/PBR weekend in Kansas City
  • Stephanie McMahon update

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Thursday Update

WWE

  • The first episode of WWE Evolve premiered on Tubi last night and is available to watch here. Shawn Michaels served as the on-screen matchmaker for one night only, with NXT General Manager Ava being the authority figure for the show going forward. Episode one featured the following results:
    • Carlee Bright & Kendal Grey defeated Dani Palmer & Kali Armstrong
    • Keanu Carver defeated Trill London
    • Jack Cartwheel, Cappuccino Jones & Sean Legacy defeated Jackson Drake & Swipe Right (Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes)
  • “Stone Cold” Steve Austin told Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez that, even though they don’t talk to each other much, he considers CM Punk a good friend:
    • Me and Punk are friends from way back. There was a picture back from, you know, probably in my heyday, and he’s a lot younger than I am and we got a picture there together and he’s just a young kid. And so I think he was a ‘Stone Cold’ fan back in the day, and I’m a CM Punk fan. I’m a fan of his work. And his promos – Jesus Christ, he can light somebody up. So, you know, we don’t talk a whole lot. We’ll send each other a text every now and then. But we’re probably really, really good friends and don’t talk a whole lot and have a lot of mutual respect for each other. I enjoy what he does.
  • In an interview with Bill Apter for Sportskeeda WrestleBinge, John Cena Sr. gave an in-character response when asked about his son’s heel turn:
    • Bill, you’re a real good friend. We go back a long way, but will you please stop? I’m tired of guys like you. I’m tired of the other phone calls I’m getting. I don’t know why he did what he did. You’re gonna have to get that from him. I am so tired of this. Why don’t we just let it play out and find out what’s happening? A reporter’s a reporter, but listen, Bill Apter – ‘friend’ – enough’s enough.
  • Greg Miller of Kinda Funny confirmed that he is no longer with WWE due to the show “This Is Awesome” not being renewed. It aired on Peacock in the United States for three seasons with Miller as the host. Miller said he’s incredibly proud of the series and doubts that this is the last time he’ll do something WWE-related.
  • Max released the trailer for “Paul American,” a reality series starring Logan Paul and Jake Paul that debuts on Thursday, March 27.
  • Logan Paul uploaded a new episode of his vlog featuring footage from Elimination Chamber.
  • Paul Orndorff’s son Travis expressed how grateful he is that his late father is being included as a DLC character in WWE 2K25.
  • Huge Pop interviewed Carmelo Hayes.
  • WWE ranked Mick Foley vs. Edge from WrestleMania 22 as the 42nd greatest match in WrestleMania history.

Other Wrestling

  • Aubrey Edwards & Will Washington previewed the Revolution 2025 card on AEW Unrestricted this week.
  • Speaking with Uncrowned, Will Ospreay said he wants the responsibility of being AEW World Champion:
    • I want to be the world champ. I cannot say it any easier than that. I have longed and wanted the responsibility for ages, and I feel like every time I got the responsibility in Japan, I dropped the ball because I wasn’t mature enough to see what was in front of me.
    • For the first time in my life, I generally feel like I have the fans’ trust, and I feel like there is a large portion of people that are backing and wanting me to finally take to the throne. And for me, I’m so grateful that it seems like it could be on the table. If I keep working hard enough and I keep dedicating myself, I could be that guy.
  • Smash Wrestling officially announced that Cassie Lee (the former Peyton Royce) will challenge Jody Threat for the Smash Women’s Championship at their show in Toronto on Sunday, April 20. Lee will be accompanied by her tag team partner Jessica McKay (Billie Kay).
  • Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling announced that Mo Jabari will defend his Jericho Cruise Oceanic Championship at night one of their Mayhem weekend in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on Friday, March 14. Taiji Ishimori, Stu Grayson, Brent Banks, Michael Allen Richard Clark, and Rich Swann are his challengers.
  • Bobby Fish and Atlantis Jr. are the latest confirmed entrants for MLW Battle Riot VII in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 5.
  • Royce Isaacs will be competing at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 17.
  • Minoru Suzuki has been added to DDT Pro Wrestling’s show in Vegas on April 18.
  • Effy vs. Microman for the GCW World Championship is set to take place at the promotion’s No Compadre event in Chicago on Saturday, March 29.