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This Week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter
This Week's Retro Observer Newsletter
Bryan and I will be up tonight covering the weekend wrestling news and taking questions that you can send to dave@wrestlingobserver.com. We're looking for reports on these shows:
We're looking for results, finishes and highlights to dave@wrestlingobserver.com
Because Collision wasn't taped last week due to the PPV, in the U.K. airing this week and in international markets they aired a Best of 2023 show hosted by Renee Paquette and RJ City airing Bryan Danielson vs. Ricky Starks in a bullrope match from 9/23, FTR vs. Jay White & Juice Robinson in a 2/3 fall match from 7/15 (best match in show history), and Kris Statlander & Willow Nightingale vs. Mercedes Martinez & Diamante street fight from 12/16. The FTR match went almost an hour and thus they only needed three matches to fill the show (thanks to Stephen Lyon)
On last night's show there were no teases for Mercedes Mone or for her appearing Wednesday in Jacksonville. What I know is that AEW does expect her to start on TV soon, but as noted, until it happens and the contract itself is signed, I wouldn't consider anything 100 percent. One would think there would be some sort of a tease of a surprise if she was to appear, since that's been the case with most major signings. But Sting's original debut in Jacksonville came out of nowhere.
The Sting & Darby Allin vs. Konosuke Takeshita & Powerhouse Hobbs match for Wednesday is a tornado match and Ric Flair on his promo talked about being there in Sting's corner.
The Tennessee Titans upset the Jacksonville Jaguars 28-20 today which knocked the Jaguars out of the playoffs that they seemed destined for a few weeks ago.
WWE from last night in Spokane, WA:
Oregon State on Friday night set a state attendance record for amateur wrestling with 8,000 fans at Reser Stadium for a dual meet with Penn State. (thanks to Ashkon Nowtash)
The long-awaited movie on the life of Mayu Iwatani will be released in Japanese theaters on 5/17. The movie is the key reason she is the current IWGP women's champion per Bushiroad decision making. Iwatani went from being a teenager who wouldn't even leave her home to being one of the biggest women's pro wrestling stars of the modern era in Japan.
Matt Striker apologized for comments he made last night during the Jacob Fatu vs. Matt Riddle match at the MLW show in Philadelphia. Striker said on the air, "Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. The court of public opinion would love to see Jacob Fatu slap the taste out of Matt Riddle’s mouth. But the court of public opinion does not convict, I’m sorry. I know it’s the world in which we live but, it’s not the case." Striker then wrote this morning, "I've given this a lot of thought. Could not sleep. My critics are right. I was wrong. Tone deaf. Trying to use the guise of art or character portrayal is self preservation. Thank you to those that shone light on this. It is now on me to stand in that light. I will be better."
For Riddle's debut, we were told there were some boos for him but it was mostly dueling "Uce" and "Bro" chants. One person said it was a small amount at the start but never returned during the match and the crowd was hot with "bro" chants once the match started. Riddle's debut with New Japan is this coming Saturday night in San Jose. Right now he'll be doing indies, NJPW and MLW for the time being and will be on several NJPW tours in Japan this year including the next tour.
At last night's show in Philadelphia, they announced Mistico vs. Averno on the 2/3 return at the 2300 Arena.
Oskar Leube and Yuto Nakashima of New Japan, who were announced as leaving on Friday, were announced for the 2/4 RevPro show in London. Leube will also be in the 16 Carat gold tournament in Oberhausen, Germany.
Raul Rosas Jr., the youngest UFC fighter, faces Ricky Turcios on the 2/24 show in Mexico City.
TNA announced dates on 3/22 and 3/23 in Philadelphia at the 2300 Arena. It's notable that date and not Mania week. NJPW, which also usually runs Mania week, hasn't yet announced anything for Philadelphia.
Besides New Japan, Nick Nemeth was announced for the 1/20 show for the WWC in Bayamon, PR, against island legend Ray Gonzalez. Also on the show Universal champion Intelecto Cinco Estrellas defends against Chris Masters and Caribbean champion Xavant defends against Matt Cardona, while Puerto Rican champion Gilbert faces Ryan Nemeth. The show will air on PPV from FITE (thanks to Michael Morales)
Raw tomorrow has Kofi Kingston vs. Ludvig Kaiser, JD McDonagh vs. The Miz, Cody Rhodes vs Shinsuke Nakamura, Finn Balor vs. Tommaso Ciampa and Katana Chance & Kayden Carter vs. Chelsea Green & Piper Niven for the women's tag title. The game goes against the national championship college football game and CM Punk will be on the show.
Kurt Angle, who is under contract to WWE, did a video on the AEW angle with Stokely Hatahway trying to recruit Kris Statlander.
U.K. wrestler Sam Betts died on Saturday at the age of 91. He wrestled mostly under the name Dwight J. Ingleburgh, with the gimmick of being an American. He worked for many of the top promotions of the time. (thanks to Bradley Craig)
Tomoko Watanabe and Ai Houzan from Japan will be wrestling for West Coast Pro on 3/23 in San Francisco at the Irish Cultural Center. The special guest at the show will be Bull Nakano.
Mascara Dorada vs. Templario, which headlined Arena Mexico on Friday, will headline a 3/1 IWC Legacy show in Denver.
House of Glory from last night at the NYC Arena in New York: Encore Moore b JJ Boujji, Joey Silver won over Darren Richardson, Jay Armani and KC Navarro, Idris Jackson b Raheem Royal, Nolo Kitano b Gringo Loco, Carlos Ramirez b Krule, Midas Black & Jay Lyon d Chris Bey & Ace Austin over 20:00 (said to be really good), Mike Santana b Josh Alexander to keep the HOG title in another match reported as really good. Next show is 3/2 with the debut of Mustafa Ali.
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