Daily Update: WWE notes, Tony Khan, Jake Something

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the highlights:

  • 2024 Awards issue with the top finishers in every category, notes about the results and previous winners in all categories dating back to 1980.  
  • Wrestler of the Year, MMA MVP, Most Outstanding Wrestler, Most Outstanding Fighter, Tag team of the Year, Best on Interviews, Promotion of the Year, Best Weekly TV show, Pro Wrestling match of the year, MMA Fight of the Year, U.S./Canada MVP, Japanese MVP, Mexico MVP, Europe MVP, Junior Heavyweight MVP, Women’s MVP, Women’s MMA MVP, Feud of the Year, Best Box Office draw, Most Improved, Most Charismatic, Best Technical Wrestler, Best Brawler, Best Flyer, Most Overrated, Most Underrated, Rookie of the Year, Best non-wrestler, Best TV announcer, Worst TV announcer, Best major show, Worst major show, Best maneuver, Most disgusting promotional tactic, Worst TV show, Worst match, Worst feud, Worst promotion, Best booker, Promoter of the Year, Best gimmick, Worst gimmick, Best Pro Wrestling book and Best pro wrestling documentary.
  • The most detailed look and update on the Vince McMahon situation related to the most recent court case and evidence in that case. This talks about judges believing there is reason to believe McMahon and another person committed crimes regarding keeping information from the WWE.
  • AEW’s releases and backstory regarding them
  • Update on Chris Bey
  • Major story on WWE releases
  • Notes on the next four major AEW & WWE shows
  • Business notes and overall interest levels of the shows
  • UFC 312 coverage
  • Hirooki Goto wins IWGP title, the story behind one of the great emotional moments as well as a look at the New Japan Cup, and what may have been the best wrestling show so far this year
  • AEW fires Bear Boulder
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of all the shows held over the past week, including comparisons with a year ago and a ton of info on Raw on Netflix
  • AAA announces 2025 plans for biggest show plus a big signing and a new TV deal
  • Champion Carnival notes
  • Fantastica Mania notes
  • The death of Jamie Hemmings
  • Hall of Famer has major accusations made about them by wife
  • Death of Duane Koslowski, a major part of the 1989 U-Cosmos show in his match with Nobuhiko Takada which at the time set the all-time pro wrestling gate record and was the first-ever Tokyo Dome sellout, held the night after Mike Tyson drew a half house with Buster Douglas
  • Front office changes in TNA
  • Lots more on MAX as it relates to AEW wrestling
  • The strange story of AEW hiring Rita Chatterton
  • Update on UFC media rights
  • PFL tournament news
  • What combat sports athletes made the list of 100 top paid athletes in the world
  • Linda McMahon hearing
  • WWE stock sets records
  • Evolve tapings
  • Notes on WWE LFG show
  • How much Smackdown helps the USA Network

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Ricky Starks contract signing from NXT last night, where it was revealed that his new name is Ricky Saints.
  • Michin told The Speakeezy that she thinks her biggest hindrance right now is not connecting with the crowd because she is trying to figure out what her character is. She responded when asked how she crafts her persona:
    • That’s a great question because I don’t even know my character. I’m really bad with – like, I can wrestle my ass off but I know that my biggest hindrance is like I have a problem connecting with the crowd because I’m still trying to figure out what my character is. Because in NXT, I was the gangster, hood rat chick, right? But, in wrestling, you want to have you, just accelerated times 100. So they really wanted that character and I just dove right into it. Whereas now, I’m a gamer. I just want to go home and just hang out with my dogs. Like, I’m very low-key and chill.
  • During his recent appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Ludwig Kaiser said he made sure to be there in-person when his girlfriend Tiffany Stratton won the WWE Women’s Championship:
    • It was awesome. I actually flew in because it was a huge, huge moment. Obviously, I was there for her NXT Championship win back then, so I really wanted to be there as well. We have such an amazing product, especially now. But the only thing that really doesn’t do justice is the reaction and the way things sound when you’re actually there live. That moment when she actually turned on Nia was crazy. You had to be there in order to understand that that was really a huge moment. Really doesn’t do it justice on TV. But yeah, it was amazing. I’m so happy for her because I’ve been there for the lows, I’ve been there for the highs. I’ve seen it all very up close, and she created something there. She’s doing amazing.
  • In an interview with the Daily Mail, Gunther said he would definitely like to face John Cena at some point during Cena’s retirement tour:
    • It’s the last chance to get in the ring with him, so if that ever becomes a possibility, I would definitely take that. John Cena is obviously one of the wrestlers, you can put him onto Mount Rushmore.
    • If I get the chance I would definitely like to do that. Let’s see how it plays out. Maybe I can end up as his last chance to win a championship at some point in that year, and I can be the one that crushes all those dreams. That would be very enjoyable.
  • Paul Heyman narrated the official trailer for WWE 2K25’s Bloodline Showcase mode.
  • Mick Foley visited Old Trafford – the home stadium of Manchester United – while in the UK for a convention last weekend.
  • Seth Rollins was interviewed on Not Just Football with NFL star Cam Heyward.
  • Penta was the guest on this week’s episode of Celtic Warrior Workouts with Sheamus.
  • Karrion Kross made an appearance on Geeking Out with Matt Serra.
  • Logan Paul uploaded a new vlog episode.

Other Wrestling

  • Tony Khan celebrated the ratings for Grand Slam Australia and said Collision is currently on his favorite run of episodes in show history:
    • Our last show, AEW Grand Slam Australia on Saturday, was one of my favorite events ever, + it did one of the biggest #AEWCollision ratings ever on TNT! The past 4 Jacksonville Huntsville Houston Brisbane are my favorite run of Collisions ever! See you for #AEWDynamite TONIGHT!
  • Kyle Fletcher spoke to Undisputed about reuniting with Mark Davis in the Don Callis Family:
    • I haven’t talked about Davis in a long time. It’s nice now that he’s part of the family, I can hype him up again. There is just a grit to Davis, a harshness to him. Every time I see him on the apron and chop the absolute f— out of people, it just grabs me. I love watching him wrestle.
    • I’m glad we’re back together. I can’t wait to watch him again. When he gets his opportunity, he’s going to absolutely smash it.
  • Fletcher also said that, while his girlfriend Skye Blue was initially apprehensive about him shaving his head, she likes it now:
    • My family always hated my dumb hair. That always fueled me to keep it.
    • My girlfriend Skye was a little apprehensive at the time, but she likes it now. There are people who love it and people who hate it, and some people miss the hair, but if they’re talking about it, that’s a good thing.
  • TNA Wrestling announced that tickets for tomorrow’s live Impact episode and Friday’s TV taping have both sold out. The shows are being held at Full Sail University in Florida.
  • Revolution Pro Wrestling announced that their 13th Anniversary show will take place at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in London on Friday, August 22 and Saturday, August 23 – the two days before AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door in London.
  • RevPro’s British J-Cup 2025 is set for Saturday, June 14 at Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage.
  • After undergoing surgery for a torn biceps, Jake Something has started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs of his medical expenses:
    • Hello, I’m known professionally as Jake Something. I tore my bicep which required surgery to repair, and being uninsured the bills are crippling. To add to this, one of my dog’s named Leah had to get surgery on the same day as me. Surgery was a success for both of us! We’re on the road to recovery now. As reluctant as I am to even create this, I know it’s the best chance I have at clearing these fees. I also know that times are tough for everyone, so no worries if you’re unable to help. If you are able to help, I’d greatly appreciate it. Thank you!
  • Hechicero has been confirmed as an entrant for MLW Battle Riot VII in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 5.
  • Gabe Kidd will be in action at Mystery Wrestling 14 in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada on Sunday, March 2.
  • The Battleground podcast interviewed Mance Warner & Steph De Lander.