Daily Update: WWE NXT notes, Taz, Maria Kanellis

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • The new issue of the Observer is on the site today. Our lead story is the most detailed coverage of the new AEW TV deal, an analysis of what it means for business, profits losses, what the deal does and doesn’t cover, FOX rumors and analysis and much more. We also have a major history piece looking at the 2024 Hall of Fame and the candidates and their credentials.
  • Value of the deal for each specific year
  • What the deal does and doesn’t cover
  • Update on the PPV business
  • What AEW is losing in the deal
  • How PPV will be distributed
  • Quotes from Tony Khan and WBD
  • MAX and cable distribution
  • Breaking down expenses, revenue, profits and losses and the financial future of AEW
  • Analysis of the potential FOX deal
  • A look at the first NXT show on CW, business, ratings and how the segments did
  • Update on Bad Blood and WrestleDream, including interest levels for both shows
  • A look at the 2024 Hall of Fame voting, candidates and favorites in each category
  • A rundown of the leading candidates, some of who you would know and wouldn’t.
  • New Japan building King of Pro Wrestling–What business lesson was reinforced by CMLL Noche de Campeones this past week
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the major television shows, competition, comparisons with a year ago, placings and segment-by-segment
  • Woman wrestling star retiring to become a referee
  • CMLL head gives stats on how many fans come to Arena Mexico from other countries
  • What major celebrity was at Shinjuku Face for a pro wrestling show
  • Hall of Famer having 40th anniversary show
  • Major Japanese celebrity does two matches this week
  • Notes on the deaths of Pete Rose and Kris Kristofferson and both men’s connections to pro wrestling
  • Jimmy Hart prior to wrestling
  • AEW and WWE current injury rates
  • What percentage of fans watch shows live vs DVR
  • AEW video game notes
  • Major star opening up a gym for post-wrestling business
  • International TV ratings
  • Injury stats regarding PowerSlap
  • What famous boxer turned down a two fight series with Conor Mcregor
  • How many people watched the Mr. McMahon documentary and an approximation of how it would compare to a regular WWE TV show
  • Martha Hart reacts to the documentary

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Randy Orton vs. Je’Von Evans main event from last night’s NXT.
  • Orton and Evans shared a moment after the match with Orton appearing to tell Evans, “It’s okay. You’re the f*cking man” when Evans apologized for botching their planned RKO spot.
  • WWE has a post-show interview with Orton, who called Evans “incredibly humble” and said Evans has nothing but respect for the business.
  • PWInsider reports that CM Punk was backstage at NXT in Missouri last night and was giving advice to talent.
  • For the second straight week, a vignette aired on NXT hyping the arrival of Australian wrestler Delta.
  • Max Burger in Longmeadow, Massachusetts thanked Paul “Triple H” Levesque & Stephanie McMahon for eating at their restaurant recently:
    • You never know who will stop in to clothesline a few burgers
    • Thank you Triple H and his lovely wife Stephanie for dining at our establishment and be so kind to take a quick photo with us! We hope you enjoyed our little town and dining experience!
  • Set to “It’s Supposed To Hurt” by House of Protection, WWE uploaded a music video recapping the CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre Hell in a Cell match from Bad Blood.
  • The Manchester Evening News spoke with Cody Rhodes.
  • WWE remembered Eddie Guerrero on what would have been his 57th birthday.
  • William Regal tweeted that he believes Guerrero is the greatest all-around pro wrestler of all time:
    • Without a doubt in my mind Eddie was the best all round Pro Wrestler ever. An exceptional in ring command and ability to wrestle anyone in the world without ever meeting them until the bell went, entertaining skills and presence and exceptional (once he figured it out) talking ability. And a very close friend. The greatest.
  • The Cheap Heat podcast interviewed NXT announcer Vic Joseph.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • After undergoing total knee replacement surgery, Taz thanked all of the fans who have wished him well: “I really appreciate all of the get well soon & supportive tweets from so many of you. Thank you very much!!”
  • Maria Kanellis responded to someone on social media who asked if she wants to stay with AEW or go elsewhere when her contract expires at the end of October: “I want to work. I want to help. I want to take care of my family.”
  • Chris Jericho was a guest on Busted Open Radio today.
  • AEW wished Jay White a happy 32nd birthday.
  • AEW has a Timeline video documenting the history between The Young Bucks and Private Party ahead of their Tag Team title match at WrestleDream this Saturday.
  • Josh Barnett praised Oleg Boltin after working with him at NJPW’s dojo:
    • He’s amazing. I knew how strong he was, and he had taken a seminar of mine once before. I was checking up on him as much as I could, but the best way to get to know someone is to wrestle them in the ring. I could feel the way he was thinking, using the ropes and the corners to try and gain leverage, and I could feel he was very smart. I was surprised with some of what he tried, and I just want more. Give me someone like that, and I can make him a champion for sure.
  • Here’s the announced lineup for this Thursday’s episode of TNA Impact:
    • We’ll hear from TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth
    • X-Division title number one contender’s match: Leon Slater vs. Laredo Kid vs. Jason Hotch (winner challenges Mike Bailey next week)
    • The Hardys (Matt & Jeff Hardy) vs. ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey)
    • Jordynne Grace, Masha Slamovich & Sol Ruca vs. Wendy Choo, Rosemary & Tasha Steelz
    • Josh Alexander vs. Eric Young
    • We’ll hear from Mike Santana
  • During a virtual signing for K&S WrestleFest, Gail Kim said that Xia Zhao (former WWE wrestler Xia Li) is signed with TNA.
  • MLW announced a new multi-year action figure deal with PowerTown Wrestling for their Galoob Brand. The figures will be available in 2025.
  • Johnny Swinger and Harley Cameron have been confirmed for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling’s debut events in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20. Cameron will accompany QT Marshall for his match against Bhupinder Gujjar on night one.