Daily Update: WWE-MLB, Nick Aldis, Tony Khan

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Highlights of the new issue:

  • Going into detail with the name revelations in the Front Office Sports story by John Pollock, Brandon Thurston and Tim Marchman, more on the lawsuit, what it means in context, more notes not in the suit, Brock Lesnar update and the claims explained.
  • The heroic Mark Coleman story from the past week, as well as a look at his wrestling, MMA and pro wrestling careers.
  • The Mercedes Mone debut in AEW, what happened, ratings, live gate, money involved, and even a WWE comment
  • WrestleMania update, business notes, secondary market demand
  • Full coverage of UFC 299, business, what’s next for the fighters, how much of a superstar has Sean O’Malley become and what is next for him
  • Notes on SummerSlam coming to Cleveland
  • A study of WWE & AEW PPV buyers and how frequently each group has bought shows over the past year
  • The death of Yutaka Yoshie
  • A detailed look at Paul Levesque’s first Hall of Fame class and their respective backgrounds including multiple Muhammad Ali appearances in pro wrestling detailed, as well as the politics of the Hall of Fame, Vince McMahon, people not in and everyone going in this year
  • Joanna Jedrzejczyk enters UFC Hall of Fame
  • Major story on the 16 Carat Gold tournament
  • The most detailed look at the ratings from the past week, including demos, competition, placing for the night, time slot and week
  • The first-ever all women’s show at Arena Mexico and how it did
  • MLW title defended at Arena Mexico
  • Stardom PPV coverage
  • All Japan Champion Carnival notes
  • NOAH heads to the U.K.
  • NOAH tag team tournament ends and notes
  • Update on New Japan Cup
  • What to look for in the NCAA wrestling tournament in two weeks
  • Former WWE wrestlers wedding notes
  • Lots of TNA business news and build to the next PPV
  • Will Ospreay talks why he chose AEW
  • Tag team tournament notes
  • Update on AEW Revolution, WWE Elimination Chamber, TNA Hard to Kill and Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua PPV numbers as well as PFL vs Bellator
  • Kenny Omega talks surprise match that was being set up for him
  • Advance ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • Takeshita talks Ospreay match
  • International TV ratings and top streaming numbers
  • Vince McMahon finances update

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE and Major League Baseball have released new Legacy title belts for all 30 MLB teams. Like the NFL Legacy belts, they’re priced at $549.99 each. WWE has had a merchandising partnership with MLB since 2021.
  • Nick Aldis confirmed that he underwent surgery for a ruptured biceps tendon today. Aldis said he’ll continue to fulfill all of his WWE obligations:
        • Yes, I just got out of surgery for a ruptured bicep tendon, and yes, the sheets had it within minutes. God bless ’em. Must be a slow news day…anyway it was a freak accident, I’m on the mend, and I will continue to fulfill my obligations. #SmackDown
  • Aldis spoke with Inside the Ropes about his introduction to WWE television. Aldis said that, while he didn’t have a big entrance or music for his debut, Paul “Triple H” Levesque was confident Aldis would get over once he got on the microphone:
        • Hunter and I discussed it at length, and Paul was very honest about it. He goes, ‘Look, I know there is no ideal way to do this, we just feel like this is the best way, music and entrance doesn’t make any sense.’ Because most of the WWE audience were not familiar with me. They are now, but at the time, it’s very out of the blue, and I’m using my real name.
        • I think Hunter looked at it as, like, let’s rip the band-aid off. There’s no easy way to do this that’s not going to be a little bit awkward. So let’s get it out of the way. And then he just said, ‘I’m going to give you the mic right away, and you’ll get over. Once you talk you’ll be okay.’ And that’s how I felt about it. I was like, the sooner I can get in the ring and forget that part the better, just give me the mic.
  • During an appearance on The Ringer’s Masked Man Show, Drew McIntyre was asked how he feels about people on social media discussing his WWE contract status:
        • It’s kind of funny. It’s been talked about for a very long time on the internet. I’m not the only one, you know, whose contract comes up every few years or whatever, but you would think it reading the internet.
        • But no, there’s nothing I can say right now. I can say I’m having fun. I can say I intend to continue having fun. And I’m in my prime, I’m younger than everyone thinks I am because I’ve been around for such a long time. So I have years to go. And no matter what, you’ll still see Drew McIntyre wrestling. I can say something like ‘or Drew Galloway,’ that would get everyone’s attention.
  • Seth Rollins responded to an old clip of him and Jimmy Jacobs facing The Briscoes in ROH:
        • Maaaan, I f’n loved being in the ring with the Briscoes and Jimmy. Infectious energy.
        • This particular night was extra special. Street Fight. Orlando. Mania weekend. Just some kids in our early 20s trying to make our mark.
        • Feels like another life.
  • Becky Lynch shared blurbs of her upcoming memoir from John Cena, Mick Foley, and Stephanie McMahon. Lynch also posted a blurb from Seth Rollins.
  • After AEW’s Kenny Omega praised him for being a great example of what the face of the industry should be, John Cena acknowledged Omega with a post on his Instagram account.
  • Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson appeared on the Artist Friendly podcast with Joel Madden.
  • Johnny Gargano, Liv Morgan, Shayna Baszler, and Natalya appeared on today’s episode of WWE’s The Bump.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • AEW uploaded a Control Center video promoting tonight’s Dynamite from Toronto.
  • AEW announced that we’ll hear from Swerve Strickland on Dynamite tonight.
  • Tony Khan told ComicBook that, if AEW were to ever have a Hall of Fame, he feels that Sting and Brodie Lee are the first two people who would need to be honored. Khan mentioned Jay Briscoe as someone who should be honored as well:
        • If we ever do an AEW Hall of Fame, certainly the first two people that come to mind that we would have to honor would be Sting and Mr. Brodie Lee. Two of the greatest champions and two of the greatest people we’ve ever had in AEW, and in very different circumstances. Sting and Mr. Brodie Lee would be great people to build any Hall of Fame class around.
        • Somebody that never got to wrestle in AEW that I also feel very strongly about, who needs to be talked about and honored, is Jay Briscoe. I always wanted to bring Jay into AEW. He was my friend and was friends with a lot of people in the locker room. He was one of the greatest wrestlers I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and producing for. Jay Briscoe is somebody else who is very important to all of us even though he never actually got the chance to wrestle in AEW.
  • Khan was asked if he’s already started to conceptualize the card for All In 2024:
        • Yes, definitely. I have spent a lot of time thinking about August’s card, and I’m very excited about it. The arrival of some of the biggest free agents in pro wrestling has given us even more exciting possibilities for what we can do.
  • Khan responded when asked if All In 2024 could potentially air on Max:
        • We’ll have to see. I think we’re actively negotiating [AEW’s next TV deal] right now, and at that point we’ll be deep in the conversations. So it’s hard to say this year. I think certainly going forward, that’s a good possibility for us and something I would be really excited about, would be bringing AEW to Max. And it’s something I think we’ve talked about. It just has to make sense for everybody. And I do think when we find a streaming home for AEW, that’s going to be a long-term plan. And given that we’re up at the end of this year, I think one of the reasons I’ve wanted to wait is I think when we get the streaming contract figured out, it should be a long-term solution for the fans.
  • AEW wished the recently retired Sting a happy 65th birthday. The promotion also wished a happy birthday to Matt Taven, Caprice Coleman, and Angelo Parker.
  • Episode six of Johnny Loves Taya is now available to watch on YouTube.
  • Actor Paul Walter Hauser will face Sami Callihan in a Philadelphia Street Fight at the WrestleCon Supershow on Thursday, April 4.