Daily Update: WWE Royal Rumble weekend notes

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

One of the largest issues in the history of the Observer is out this week:

  • The Janel Grant lawsuit against Vince McMahon
  • Analysis of the lawsuit and different claims
  • Details of the claims
  • Comments from all sides
  • Just how vulgar some of the stories were
  • What the text messages show
  • The Netflix detail and full details
  • The economics of the deal
  • How much money WWE is guaranteed without selling one ticket or selling any merchandise or advertising or sponsorships
  • Background of the negotiations
  • Dwayne Johnson on the Board of Directors
  • More on 2025 plans
  • Nick Khan, Dwayne Johnson and other comments
  • How this affects AEW
  • Difference between AEW & WWE audience when it comes to college education and household earnings
  • Ratings going forward
  • Mark Shapiro’s new contract
  • AEW house show issues and what has to be done and changes expected to be made
  • Issues with the events
  • A look at the Royal Rumble
  • Full UFC 297 coverage
  • UFC signs Kayla Harrison and her biggest test
  • A look at the career of new UFC Hall of Famer Frankie Edgar
  • 2023 Awards ballot
  • A look at the life of Harold “Ice Train” Hoag
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of all the wrestling TV shows of the past week, segment highs and lows, comparisons with one year ago and competition
  • Friday night at Arena Mexico
  • TripleMania plans
  • AAA plans on using controversial names
  • More on AAA 2024 plans
  • Stardom awards
  • Why Shuji Ishikawa left All Japan
  • Three generations of the same family and Japanese major bouts
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi talks Kazuchika Okada leaving
  • Okada’s left match at Korakuen Hall
  • Update on Iron Claw movie
  • Puerto Rico show featuring major names
  • Notes on the next season of Dark Side of the Ring
  • Top indie star to come out of retirement
  • Updated AEW & TNA PPV numbers
  • Update on Kazuchika Okada and Mercedes Mone destinations
  • Peacock ads subscribers leading into RoyalRumble
  • WWE injury updates
  • Nick Khan talks about his introduction to WWE
  • Cena talks his future
  • International TV ratings
  • What three pro wrestlers are in the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Saturday Update

WWE

  • While speaking with the Orlando Sentinel on Friday, Natalya was asked about the allegations against Vince McMahon: “I’ve seen and I’ve read what everybody else has seen and read. I feel like at the end of the day the best thing we can do, especially as women in the locker room, is keep moving forward.”
  • Last night’s Royal Rumble go-home edition of SmackDown averaged 2.33 million viewers in the overnight ratings, down slightly from last week’s overnight average of 2.36 million viewers. The rating in the 18-49 demo was up to a 0.64.
  • Cody Rhodes appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon as part of a Phone Booth game between Ken Jeong and Dwyane Wade.
  • Hulk Hogan voiced the opening video for tonight’s Royal Rumble.
  • WWE shared a look at the WrestleMania 40 sign that will be on display at the Royal Rumble.
  • WWE uploaded a Royal Rumble weekend vlog with CM Punk surprising Cora Jade with a visit as she recovers from ACL surgery.
  • In another vlog, Punk trained with NXT wrestlers at the Performance Center.
  • Roman Reigns tweeted ahead of his title defense against Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles: “We stackin bodies tonight. #RoyalRumble”
  • AJ Styles told Reality of Wrestling that he wants to face John Cena again before Cena retires:
          • I think there’s a lot of us that would like to mix it up with Cena one last time and I’m definitely one of those guys. We had some chemistry that I can’t explain. Maybe it’s opposites attract, I guess you’d say, and me and John are definitely that kind of dance partners where, you know, it was always fun getting in the ring with him. It was always big, it was always special, and it was always great. So I look forward to hopefully, before he retires, jumping in the ring with him one more time.
  • India Today asked Kevin Owens about potentially working a feud against CM Punk: “I’m sure we’ll end up in the ring together at some point. It seems, uh, like there’s no way we wouldn’t.”
  • Booker T said on his Hall of Fame podcast that he wants to get Jacob Fatu signed by WWE:
          • That’s my game plan, man. That’s my game plan. I’m working as hard as I possibly can. Let me just say it right now. I’m giving a big shout out to Jacob Fatu. This is a guy who’s been working his ass off out there on the indie scene, grinding. The thing is, sometimes we make mistakes, but when we atone for those mistakes, that’s when somebody just needs to give you a chance, and for me, someone gave me a chance and look what it’s done for me. Someone needs to give Jacob Fatu a chance and I’m going to be working in his corner as his advisor to get him all the way to that next level and over it if we possibly can. Jacob, if you’re listening to this, just stick with me on this ride.
  • Busted Open Radio interviewed Cody Rhodes, Bianca Belair & Rhea Ripley.
  • Bianca Belair & Montez Ford appeared on Hot 97.
  • WWE wrestlers named their favorite moments from Royal Rumble history.
  • Damage CTRL, LA Knight, and Santos Escobar, Angel, Humberto & Elektra Lopez appeared on The SmackDown LowDown.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • In response to reports that she’ll be in tonight’s WWE women’s Royal Rumble match, Jordynne Grace posted a social media video claiming to be at home.
  • Mercedes Mone tweeted on her 32nd birthday yesterday: “Get ready for an epic ride because 32 is about to unleash a whirlwind of adventure and fun! I am beyond grateful to have another year to chase my dreams and conquer new heights. I’m ready to rock this year and shake the table like never before!”
  • AEW uploaded a promo with Matt Menard discussing why he continues to protect Daniel Garcia.
  • Nic Nemeth was the guest on the latest episode of Talk is Jericho.