Daily Update
Latest News:
New champions crowned at NJPW Sakura GenesisMercedes Mone vs. Mayu Iwatani set for Stardom All Star Grand QueendomNJPW reveals dates for G1 Climax 33 tournamentWWE SmackDown video highlights: Matt Riddle saves Sami ZaynNJPW Sakura Genesis live results: Okada vs. SANADA IWGP title matchEC3 wins National Championship at NWA 312
Latest Audio:
Speak Now: WWE Draft to return, SmackDown recapWrestling Observer Radio: WrestleMania 39 fallout
Latest Free YouTube Video:
Join us in Las Vegas for our annual F4W Convention
This Week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter:
April 10, 2023 Observer Newsletter: Endeavor to acquire WWE and merge with UFC, WrestleMania 39
Highlights include:
*It's one of the biggest issues of the year, given we have coverage of what will be the biggest story of the year, the Endeavor/WWE/UFC merger with all the details of how it happened and what it means, plus coverage of WrestleMania and all the major events of WrestleMania week
*The story behind the merger
*The new power structure of WWE and UFC
*All the financial details of the merger including stock, what stockholders will be getting
*How the deal went down and when
*Who will be negotiating WWE TV deals
*Vince McMahon's worth based on what they are pitching valuation at and his actual stock worth as of right now
*How much top WWE execs were bonused from the sale and new contract for the top two guys in the company and its valuation
*How Vince McMahon changed Raw
*What are the big questions going forward regarding creative
*What employees and wrestlers were told
*Investigation of the deal
*Can WWE get out of the deal
*Financial benefits of the deal
*What it means going forward
*What happened internally in UFC from the deal
*Profits and revenue for UFC and WWE last year
*The history of Vince McMahon and UFC and secret story about a WrestleMania main event that never happened
*Coverage of WrestleMania
*Examining Rhodes vs. Reigns and the finish
*Real attendance figures and other business figures
*PPV numbers and which show had the most viewers
*What were the most watched matches after the fact
*Social media numbers and who drew the biggest and where there are contradictions
*Match-by-match coverage with star ratings as well as poll results
*AEW trying to run Wembley Stadium and more history of such
*A look at a famous period in wrestling history with the death of U.K. promoter Max Crabtree, and the debate over whether the Big Daddy era killed wrestling in that country or it was killed earlier and he just gave it a last life
*A look at the ROH Supercard of Honor, business notes, match-by-match coverage
*A look at NXT Stand & Deliver
*What happened with Gisele Shaw and Rick Steiner
*The most detailed look at the ratings over the past week and what they mean
*Arena Coliseo 80th anniversary event
*Build to the biggest show in Stardom history
*New Japan/Impact dual show
*One of the best bouts of the year took place this past week
*Jay White signing
*Injury updates
*Another major AEW hiring
*WWE Hall of Fame coverage
This Week's Retro Observer Newsletter:
February 20, 2006 Observer Newsletter: Bret Hart agrees to enter the WWE Hall of Fame
Ordering Info:
Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to dave@wrestlingobserver.com or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
Saturday Update
WWE
Last night’s SmackDown averaged 2.291 million viewers in the fast national ratings, down from the 2.39 million viewers last week’s WrestleMania SmackDown did in the fast nationals. Last night’s show averaged 2.183 million viewers (0.58 rating in 18-49) in the first hour and 2.399 million (0.64 rating in 18-49) in the second hour.Booker T gave his thoughts on Bron Breakker vs. Carmelo Hayes from NXT Stand & Deliver: “On a scale of one to 10, I give it a six. I ain't gonna go too high, a six, just because I know what I'm looking for as far as, just like say for instance, if you were a gymnast and you were doing the vault. What am I going to be looking for most importantly in that vault? I'm looking to see if these guys stick to dismount, and I'm still looking. I'm still waiting. Did they go out there and perform? Yes, they did, but I just thought they were walking their way through it as opposed to trying to feel their way through, and that's wrestling talk right there. That's wrestling jargon. I thought they did a good job, but on a scale of one to 10, I would give it a six.”On his Keepin’ It 100 podcast, Konnan was asked if he saw Triple H at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony: “Yes, I did. He was very nice. I don't want to get into it, but it looks like we might have another conversation.”WWE posted a behind-the-scenes photo gallery from WrestleMania weekend.This week’s episode of WWE After the Bell was a recap of WrestleMania 39.Imperium, Raquel Rodriguez & Liv Morgan, and The Judgment Day appeared on The SmackDown LowDown.WWE’s YouTube channel uploaded the following matches: Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt House of Horrors match (Payback 2017) and Roman Reigns vs. AJ Styles for the WWE Championship (Extreme Rules 2016).
AEW/Other Wrestling
The NWA has announced that this year’s Crockett Cup will take place on Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.Will Ospreay gave an update on his shoulder injury recovery: “Just an update for you all. I have more range of motion in my shoulder but still struggling with strength. I think I’ll be ok but I’m just going through my physio with this as I don’t wanna come back too early and this thing rip off. Much love, miss you all.”In an interview with Tokyo Sports, Mercedes Mone promised that Snoop Dogg will come to the show if she ever main events the Tokyo Dome.Kota Ibushi told Dark Puroresu Flowsion that he thinks he’s better suited to AEW than Japan, and he has “high interest” in being on the All In London card.Kip Sabian was interviewed on AEW Unrestricted.Chris Sabin reflected on yesterday being the 20th anniversary of his Impact Wrestling debut:When I reflect on starting with TNA/IMPACT 20 years ago, it brings gratitude. This company has allowed me to make a living pursuing my passion and for many years has given me a platform for self-expression. This company has believed in me enough to always want me around, and though there were a few years between 2014-2019 I explored pro wrestling (in) other places, I was able to return home and continue the journey. I’m very proud of my time with TNA/IMPACT, as it has given me an opportunity to inspire others. Hearing and seeing how I have influenced other wrestlers throughout the years I see as a gift.“Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase is launching a new podcast with Conrad Thompson’s AdFreeShows this May.Click Here: Belgium soccer tracksuit