Daily Update: WWE SmackDown notes, Countdown to Forbidden Door, NWA

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered in this huge issue:

  • The life and times of Sika Anoa’i, from moving to San Francisco, being a fan at the Cow Palace watching Peter Maivia, to running through territories, going all over the world, to being one of the most legendary tag team champions in WWF history, along with his role in the most famous modern pro wrestling family today as the father of Roman Reigns and uncle of the Usos, Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu.  We look at the legends, realities and more.
  • A look at WWE’s deal in Indiana and the news behind the scenes on it.
  • We look at the life and career of Jamie Kellner and the death of  WCW, including the last two months of WCW and the strange questions that to this day haven’t been answered.
  • A detailed look at Forbidden Door, the unique match on the undercard, business notes, stories behind the matches and an update on how Double or Nothing ended up doing.
  • A look at the final episode of  Who Killed WCW, why it ultimately was such a major disappointment and a timeline of faulty memories
  • An updated look at WWE coming to Toronto for Money in the Bank and NXT Heatwave, lineups and business.
  • A look at the biggest Fantastica Mania show to date, last week’s show at Arena Mexico
  • A look at the life and career of Taylor Wily, also known as Teila Tuli, the first man to walk the aisle at the first UFC PPV, and the fight that remains etched in history. We look at a life that includes sumo, and being a regular on Hawaii Five-O.
  • The continued drop in homes that air WWE, AEW, and all pro wrestling and MMA programming.
  • The most detailed look at the ratings over the past week, including how wrestling shows did in the weekly standings, how each show did and its placing, comparisons to last year, competition and audience makeup.
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Hechicero and why it’s a must-see match.
  • A look at one of the biggest weeks of the year in CMLL
  • Notes on the last TripleMania show of the year
  • Breakup of a legendary Stardom faction
  • G1 qualifying tournament and who will miss G1 for the first time since 2007
  • Former WCW wrestler and Japanese Lucha star about to retire
  • One year celebration of the death of Terry Funk talked about for August
  • Death of Louie Tillet, a well known wrestler and booker
  • Very detailed look at the arrest of 2 Cold Scorpio
  • Nick Bollea sentenced for drunk driving arrest last year
  • MLW hiring new name people for production
  • Tony Khan press conference and keys things he talked about
  • Khan again discusses media rights talks
  • Khan talks Shane McMahon
  • Death of German announcer Gunter Zapf, the voice of WWE for a generation, AEW, Lucha Underground and the NFL with notes from those who worked with him.
  • AEW’s first TV taping outside North America
  • Details on AEW expenses broken down for a PPV as well as the percentage of revenue that the talent makes and how it compares with WWE, UFC and other sports.
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • Advanced ticket sales for WWE & AEW events
  • Update on the Cung Le lawsuit
  • Update on Conor McGregor’s fighting again
  • Why UFC is only running one show and never again at The Sphere and why WWE & AEW are unlikely to ever run it.
  • ONE financial breakdown
  • A look at a number of people leaving WWE for different reasons
  • New head writer for SmackDown
  • Daughter of major WWE star trying to make the Olympic team this year
  • WWE house show reports

This week’s Wresting Observer Newsletter back issue

Saturday Update

WWE

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • AEW’s Countdown to Forbidden Door preview special is available to watch on YouTube.
  • Bryan Danielson told Sports Illustrated that he’s “very, very proud” of his match against Shingo Takagi from Dragon Gate USA in 2010 and is excited to face him again at Forbidden Door:
    • What really excites me about this is how much we’ve both developed as wrestlers since then 2010. If you go through what Shingo has done since leaving Dragon Gate, he went to NJPW, the biggest company in Japan, he won the IWGP junior championship, and then he moved to heavyweight and won the IWGP heavyweight championship. When he’s wrestling, I’m watching.
  • Mercedes Mone appeared on Superstar Crossover, Maggie & Perloff, and Q1043 New York. She also spoke with TMZ Sports.
  • As a gift from Amanda Huber, NHL legend Doug Gilmour received a pair of AEW & Reebok’s new Brodie Lee tribute sneakers. Lee was a huge fan of Gilmour and his hockey number is included on the sneakers. Gilmour called it one of the most meaningful gifts he’s ever received:
    • WWE- AEW Brodie Lee (Johathan Huber) sadly passed away in 2020. Yesterday I received one of the most meaningful gifts from his wife @mandahuber. A pair of Reebok shoes dedicated to him with my number also included. It was no secret this man was a fan of hockey and The Toronto Maple Leafs. I will forever treasure this gift!
  • MJF shared a story of visiting a medium and receiving a message from Brodie Lee to give to Amanda Huber.
  • Anthony Bowens made an appearance on MLB Network yesterday.
  • Sports Illustrated interviewed Tetsuya Naito.
  • This week’s AEW Unrestricted podcast is a Forbidden Door preview episode of the show.
  • The NWA announced that Colby Corino, Natalia Markova, Bryan Idol, and Spencer Slade have signed “exclusive” contracts with the promotion. The deals are TV-exclusive but still allow the wrestlers to compete on the indies.
  • Jushin Thunder Liger, Meiko Satomura, and Yuriko Koike (the governor of Tokyo) appeared during DDT Pro Wrestling’s Minoru Suzuki vs. Sanshiro Takagi match that took place on a train.
  • Zilla Fatu wore a T-shirt honoring Sika at last night’s GCW event.
  • Dijak will debut for Prestige Wrestling at their show with Deadlock Pro and West Coast Pro in Portland, Oregon on September 29.