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Daily Update: WWE notes, Shibata vs. Filthy Tom, Don West tribute

Originally posted on F4WOnline.com | By Joseph Currier | Last updated 1/7/23

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

This Week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

January 9, 2023 Observer Newsletter: Vince McMahon plotting WWE return, Dana White physical altercation with wife

The new issue of the Observer is up on the site with these stories:

This is likely one of the biggest weeks of the year as far as major news stories involving business practices, Vince McMahon, Dana White, the Phil Baroni murder case, the possible change in legalities of non-compete clauses and more. We've got a huge issue out on the site now:

*Behind the story of Vince McMahon's attempt to return, why he said he was returning, correspondence with McMahon and the board, details on the return of former co-Presidents and the timing of why this is happening now.

*Aspects of the story that haven't been discussed anywhere else

*Notes on the voting shares of the major shareholders

*The Dana White/Anne White situation, White talks about what happened and more

*The reaction to this and the future of his Slap Fighting company

*New legislation being talked out regarding the banning of non-compete clauses and their effect on pro wrestling

*Full review of the Tokyo Dome show, including more on the dates Sasha Banks has agreed to, the business notes from the show, the Will Ospreay vs. Kenny Omega match, title changes and a major record set for streaming of the show

*A look at New Year's Dash

*The life and times of Don West, how he got into wrestling, his life outside of wrestling, a look at a guy who didn't grow up watching wrestling but became a very well liked member of the wrestling community with comments from many of his friends

*The Phil Baroni murder charges

*The Jake Paul/PFL business deal and why the odds of it working aren't high

*John Cena draws the largest audience to see a pro wrestling match on U.S. television this year

*Great Muta vs. Shinsuke Nakamura headline at Budokan Hall

*2022 Wrestling Observer Awards ballot

*Popularity of the TV stations that air wrestling and MMA

*The most detailed look at the television ratings and how each segment did this past week

*Streaming numbers and international TV numbers

*Upcoming ticket sales for the AEW & WWE shows

*Annual last man in a cage loses their mask match at Arena Mexico

*More on FTR vs. Dragon Lee & Dralistico

*More on AEW talent holding belts in AAA

*Notes on New Japan shows in the U.S.

*Independent awards for Japan

*Annual New Year's Eve trios tournament in Japan

*PWG Battle of Los angeles notes

*NWA changing aspects of its business

*Death of The Flying Greek, Mike Pappas

*Former WWE exec gets removed from a public appearance

*Champion bodybuilder who became a TV wrestler in the U.K. passes away

*Young Bucks contract situation

*Top sellers in merchandise

*Notes on upcoming AEW shows

*Notes on the Jericho Cruise

*Karen Jarrett not happy about Max Caster's rap

*UFC star injured and returning after many years

*Another major company looks to be up for sale

*WWE injury updates

*WWE new TV shows

*What WWE has cut back on

*WWE house show notes

This Week's Retro Observer Newsletter:

November 21, 2005 Observer Newsletter: The death of Eddie Guerrero

Ordering Info:

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Saturday Update

WWE

Last night’s SmackDown averaged 2.168 million viewers in the fast national ratings, down from the huge 2.44 million overnight viewership SmackDown did last week for John Cena’s return. The rating in the 18-49 demo was a 0.5.
In a post-show angle after last night’s SmackDown, The Viking Raiders attacked Drew McIntyre & Sheamus and laid them out. McIntyre & Sheamus wrestled in the main event of the episode, losing to Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos in a title match. WWE uploaded video of the post-show angle to YouTube and social media.
WWE is calling McIntyre & Sheamus’ team “The Banger Bros.”
A vignette that aired on SmackDown revealed that the Cobra Clutch will be Lacey Evans’ new signature move.
Hit Row turned heel by attacking Ricochet after Ricochet defeated Top Dolla in a Royal Rumble qualifying match last night. Braun Strowman saved Ricochet from Hit Row’s attack.
Strowman, Legado del Fantasma, and Charlotte Flair appeared on The SmackDown LowDown.
Cody Rhodes is included on WWE’s poster for the Royal Rumble. Other wrestlers featured on the poster are: Roman Reigns, Becky Lynch, Brock Lesnar, Bobby Lashley, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, Austin Theory, Bianca Belair, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Asuka, Ricochet, and The Miz.
During a gaming stream, Ronda Rousey said she’s thinking of taking over the women’s tag team division: “I don't know, guys, I'm kind of tired of Charlotte. I'm tired of that title. I already did it, you know? I'm thinking of taking over the tag division.”
Bayley celebrated today being the 10-year anniversary of her officially joining WWE: “Today marks 10 years that I’ve officially been a part of @WWE. A DECADE. Grateful. Proud. Not Done. Thank you.”
PWInsider reports that NXT's Pretty Deadly are on the road for this weekend’s WWE main roster house shows.
Ric Flair was the guest on this week’s episode of WWE After the Bell.
The Ten Count interviewed Grayson Waller.

AEW/Other Wrestling

Katsuyori Shibata vs. “Filthy” Tom Lawlor from December’s Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye tribute event is now available to watch on NJPW World.
Impact Wrestling uploaded their Don West tribute video that aired on this Thursday’s Impact. The video includes comments from Gail Kim, Josh Alexander, Moose, Chris Harris, ODB, Eddie Edwards, Sami Callihan, and Frankie Kazarian.
AEW’s Fight Forever video game will be part of IGN Fan Fest 2023 this February. IGN tweeted: “Calling all wrestling fans! AEW Fight Forever will be part of IGN Fan Fest 2023! If you have any questions you want us to ask Danhausen, Nyla Rose, and Evil Uno, reply with them and it could be answered during #IGNFanFest in February!”
TNT Champion Darby Allin turns 30 years old today.
Mike Bennett tweeted after facing Allin on last night’s Rampage: “About to fly, but I can’t help and reflect on the fact that a year ago @MariaLKanellis @MattTaven and myself had no clue what our futures looked like. Unemployed & a determination to prove ourselves. Last night was special. Surround yourself with people who make you better. @AEW”
AEW’s Aubrey Edwards has been admitted to Bellevue College in Washington: “After getting my undergraduate degree, I told myself I would never go back to college. I also didn't think I'd change careers at 30. Life will go in unexpected directions. Just enjoy the ride. 2023 is about bettering myself. Here's the start of hitting those goals”
Edwards noted that she’s going to be taking Spanish classes at Bellevue to help with her work in AEW: “Taking some Spanish classes. Been learning a little here and there and it's been a huge help at work. Might as well jump all the way in.”
Lee Johnson appeared on AEW Unrestricted this week.
The NWA is launching a new interview series titled “NWA Presents.” On the series, NWA president Billy Corgan “sits down one-on-one with true living legends to talk about their professional careers, the inner-workings of the territorial systems, and to offer exclusive wrestling memorabilia from the unique NWA archives; some of which has never been shared in public.” The series will premiere on the NWA’s YouTube channel at 6:05 p.m. Eastern time next Tuesday (January 10) with Austin Idol appearing as Corgan’s guest. Dr. Tom Prichard will be a guest on a future episode of the show.