Daily Update: WWE stock, AEW stars in Los Angeles, Black Warrior

Latest News:

• Report: Jay White expected to leave NJPW when contract expires
• WWE requests protective order in MLW lawsuit
• ROH Women's title match part of seven-match AEW Dark
• Report: Former NJPW wrestler Karl Fredericks signs with WWE
• Mandy Rose says she was 'hurt' and 'disappointed' by WWE release
• NJPW reveals full cards for The New Beginning in Nagoya, Sapporo
• Four matches announced for Impact Hard to Kill fallout TV taping
• Tully Blanchard's AEW departure 'a little more complex' than contract expiration
• WWE Raw video highlights: Tag team turmoil, Alexa Bliss meets Uncle Howdy
• NJPW reveals full card for The New Beginning in Osaka
• Judgment Day earn WWE Raw Tag Team title match
• Jeff Cobb vs. Bad Dude Tito announced for this week's NJPW Strong
• Five new entrants confirmed for WWE Royal Rumble
• AEW Dark Elevation results: ROH title match, Bandido vs. Daniels
• WWE's Johnny Gargano out of action with shoulder injury

Latest Audio:

• Wrestling Observer Live: Mike Sempervive talks Raw, Mandy Rose, Karl Fredericks, more
• Wrestling Observer Radio: RAW report, Vince McMahon, AEW and NXT previews, more
• Filthy Four Daily: Tom Lawlor on Shibata match, New Japan Strong, Smackdown and more!

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 28, 2005 Observer Newsletter: WWE introduces new drug testing policy, UFC 57 recap

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.

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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.

Tuesday Update

WWE

• WWE stock closed today at $90.24, up 2.42% from yesterday.
• The Hollywood Reporter has an article about Vince McMahon’s return to WWE and how it relates to a potential sale.
• NXT's Von Wagner and Odyssey Jones wrestled prior to Raw in matches that will air on this week’s Main Event.
• WWE has released a trailer for Against the Ropes, which will stream January 25 on Netflix and will feature Rey Mysterio.
• Johnny Gargano, Dexter Lumis, Rick Steiner, and Braun Strowman will be guests on The Bump this Wednesday.
• Grayson Waller spoke to PWInsider ahead of tonight’s NXT New Year’s Evil special.
• Matches added to WWE’s YouTube account include Shayna Baszler vs. Bianca Belair from NXT TakeOver: Phoenix, Matt Riddle vs. Roderick Strong from NXT TakeOver: XXV, and The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar’s brawl from the July 20, 2015 episode of Raw.
• Elias spoke to CBS 42 ahead of Raw Monday night in Birmingham, Alabama.
• Tamina is celebrating a birthday today.

AEW

• This week’s AEW Road to Los Angeles.
• The New York Times has a profile on Danhausen.
• Chris Jericho and the rest of the Jericho Appreciation Society were at Monday’s NHL game at the Crypto.com Arena supporting the LA Kings.
• Don Callis was also seen at the LA Kings game with Konosuke Takeshita.
• When asked about the possibility of Mercedes Mone appearing on Wednesday’s Dynamite, Saraya told DJ Whoo Kid’s Shade45 show that she had no idea what was going on. “I don't know. I wish I knew. I asked Tony Khan ‘what’s the deal’? I would love to [work with her] in AEW. She loves New Japan. I texted her the other day just to be like ‘congratulations’ and she said she was happy I’m not starting any rumors with her.”
• Andrade El Idolo, after posting a cryptic “BYE” message, responding to a question asking why he doesn’t follow brother-in-law Conrad Thompson on Twitter, wrote: “someday I will be with you in the podcasts and I will talk about everything….Sueña Interesante!”
• Sammy Guevara’s vlog has returned.

Other Wrestling

• CMLL and AAA both paid tribute to Black Warrior, the nephew of Blue Panther, who has passed away.
• PWInsider is reporting that Tammy Sytch’s pre-trial hearing, which was scheduled for this week, has now been pushed back to February 16 in order for depositions to take place.
• It was noted on Superstar Billy Graham’s Facebook that he is currently dealing with a bad infection in his ears that have spread to the bone.
• Michael Oku spoke to Stephanie Chase on PWG’s BOLA tournament, working with Chris Jericho, and more.
• Bushiroad, NJPW and Stardom’s parent company, has announced a console games division.
• Billy Corgan interviews Austin Idol on his career.