Daily Update: WWE on A&E ratings, Hall of Fame, AEW Meal and a Match

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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

Thursday Update

WWE

  • The season premiere of WWE’s Sunday night programming block on A&E drew the following ratings on February 16:
    • WWE LFG: 160,000 viewers (0.05 rating in 18-49)
    • WWE Rivals: 178,000 viewers (0.05 rating in 18-49)
    • WWE’s Greatest Moments: 169,000 viewers (0.04 rating in 18-49)
  • Bryan Alvarez notes that WWE will be having tryouts for a small amount of indie talent over the next few weeks: “Some extremely small WWE tryouts will happen over the next few weeks with indie talent. Likely under 5 people per tryout.”
  • WrestleVotes reports that WWE is considering a change to the format for this year’s Hall of Fame ceremony:
    • After speaking with sources, we’ve heard varying speculation about when and where the 2025 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will take place. Some within the company strongly dislike the recent format of the ceremony following SmackDown. We’re told WWE is considering a change, with no mention of the time or place in any WM promotional material so far.
  • While appearing on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Road Dogg said he would be “more than honored” to induct R-Truth into the WWE Hall of Fame one day:
    • I would be more than honored. I love him. I got some people in my life that I love, and he’s one of them.
  • Asuka is now back on X/Twitter after her account was hacked for a few days.
  • WWE has booked a stipulation match for NXT’s house show in Sebring, Florida this Saturday. It will be Je’Von Evans vs. Ethan Page in a lumberjack match.
  • Becky Lynch made an Instagram post promoting the paperback version of her “Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl” memoir, which is being released on Tuesday, March 4.
  • The complete soundtrack for WWE 2K25 has now been revealed:
    • “Fuel” by Eminem featuring JID
    • “Suffocate” by Knocked Loose featuring Poppy
    • “Arabi” by Mohamed Ramadan, Future & Masari
    • “Packapunch” by Joey Valence & Brae featuring Danny Brown
    • “Hurt You” by Spiritbox
    • “It’s Supposed to Hurt” by House of Protection
    • “The Thin Grey Line” by $uicideboy$
    • “Curse” by Architects
    • “Black Flag Freestyle” by Denzel Curry & That Mexican OT
    • “Halfway to Hell” by Jelly Roll
    • “Backbone” by Chase & Status and Stormzy
    • “Doblexxo” by J Balvin & Feid
    • “Hertz” by Amyl & The Sniffers
    • “Ratatata” by Babymetal & Electric Callboy
    • “Only Pain” by Gojira
  • Liv Morgan was the guest on No-Contest Wrestling this week.
  • The Toronto Sun spoke with Carmelo Hayes.
  • Kevin Iole has an interview with Big E.

Other Wrestling

  • A new episode of AEW Meal and a Match premiered on YouTube today with Mercedes Mone appearing as Renee Paquette & RJ City’s guest.
  • AEW’s YouTube channel uploaded the full Hangman Page & MJF face-to-face confrontation from last night’s Dynamite.
  • Harley Cameron appeared on Busted Open After Dark following Dynamite.
  • After his release from WWE, Cedric Alexander is now being represented by Paragon Talent Group – a talent agency co-founded by Dean Muhtadi (the former Mojo Rawley). Alexander posted today: “Booking inquiries please email: Cedricmgmt@theparagontg.com Wrestling, Seminars, signings and etc”
  • Due to a scheduling conflict, Mance Warner won’t be appearing at GCW Ashes to Ashes. He had been scheduled to face Slade at the Saturday, March 15 event in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
  • Josh Barnett announced that Timothy Thatcher and Tom Lawlor will be competing at Bloodsport XIII in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 17. Their matches have not been revealed yet.
  • Brock Anderson is the latest confirmed entrant for MLW Battle Riot VII in los Angeles on Saturday, April 5.
  • Maria Kanellis and her husband Mike Bennett have launched a new podcast called “Adult Conversations.” Here is the description for the show:
    • Mike and Maria in Wonderland is all grown up. Well, ALMOST. After a tumultuous last couple years Mike and Maria try to reconnect with sharing their favorite Podcasts, Books, and Favorite Quotes. They discuss Parenting, Politics, Personal Growth, Physical Fitness, and Psychology and try to have Adult Conversations. ‘It’s time to [grow] up and be an adult.’