Daily Update: Cody Rhodes, Ole Anderson, NXT

Latest News

• WWE & MLW antitrust lawsuit settlement was for $20 million
• Hangman Page to announce Revolution status on AEW Dynamite
• Subscriber exclusive: Bryan Alvarez's WWE Raw report
• AEW reschedules Winnipeg Dynamite event
• Subscriber exclusive: Tama Tonga headed to WWE

Latest Audio

• DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: Barney Smith is Dead
• Wrestling Observer Live: Ole Anderson, Booker T returns, RAW, Roman Reigns and Rock, RAW notes
• Wrestling Observer Radio: Death of Ole Anderson, RAW report, new Mania matches, Cung Le lawsuit

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter

• February 26, 2024 Observer Newsletter: 2023 Observer Awards issue

One of the traditional biggest issues of the year, the 2023 awards issue, is out now. Between the awards and news, this is one of the largest issues in our history.

• 2023 Awards, votes in all categories, placings, comments on the awards as well as a listing of every award winner since 1980.
• More coverage of stories going back to WWE's past, including the Paul Roma interview, what Jim Powers said about the claim, what Vince said when he fired Mel Phillips and Terry Garvin, the Pat Patterson situation, another former ring crew member comes forward, Ashley Massaro, John Cena and Randy Orton.
• Both AEW & WWE establish ratings firsts this past week in a positive way. How WWE did so in a week that originally looked difficult, and how AEW's record came out of the blue.
• A look at Elimination Chamber and Revolution, lineups, ticket sales and more.
• Full coverage of UFC 298, title change, what's next for the winners and all the business notes including some telling numbers.
• Wanderlei Silva in UFC Hall of Fame and a look back at pro wrestlers in MMA that faced him during the glory days of Pride, records Silva still owns, why Silva wasn't the same fighter in UFC and more.
• A study of people who buy pro wrestling PPVs from buyers from AEW, WWE and TNA including the best and worst state for each and what that does or doesn't say about the fan base.
• Michael Oku vs. Will Ospreay tops an incredible RevPro High Stakes card as well as Ospreay's farewell to the promotion.
• Notes on the major FantasticaMania shows.
• The most detailed look at the ratings, including demos, competition, placing for the night and week and comparisons to one year ago.
• Stardom PPV notes.
• New Japan & Stardom financial info and how the business is doing.
• Third generation of one of the biggest legends in history
• More on NWA deal with CW
• More on the attempted TNA purchase by Scott D'Amore
• Notes on the hiring of Jennifer Pepperman by AEW
• More on the proposed Ric Flair movie
• Forbidden Door update
• Notes on timing and taping changes for upcoming weeks and AEW
• More on the AEW deal with CMLL
• Update on Vikingo injury
• Advance ticket sales for upcoming AEW & WWE major shows
• International TV ratings and streaming numbers
• Update on a major celebrity talked about for Mania
• WWE injury updates
• More on how the WrestleMania main event angle came into play

This Week's Retro Observer Newsletter

• November 13, 2006 Observer Newsletter: Eric Bischoff's book, Sputnik Monroe

Tuesday Update

WWE

• Here is the full segment from Monday’s Raw featuring Cody Rhodes defeating Grayson Waller, followed by a confrontation between Rhodes and Paul Heyman.
• WWE has also uploaded the opening segment from WrestleMania 30 between The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Hulk Hogan.
• Rhodes helped a family reveal the gender of their baby after Raw went off the air.
• NXT put out a video on X, setting up Gigi Dolin vs. Jaida Parker for Tuesday’s show. Roxanne Perez vs, Jakara Jackson has also been added.
• PWInsider reported that Nick Bonanno, who has been a part of NXT’s creative team as a writer and producer, has left the company.
• McIntyre exchanged posts with Logan Paul, who posted a video claiming responsibility for McIntyre’s win on Saturday. McIntyre replied: “I see your brother got all the talent and the brains. Admittedly it’s a very low bar.”
• Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch will be on Hot Ones Versus on Wendesday.
• The company filed a trademark for ‘WWE World’ on February 26.
• The Rock on social media talked about having “BDE” (Big Dwayne Energy).
• Former WWE star Gabi Tuft appeared on NewsNation to discuss the sex trafficking allegations against Vince McMahon.

AEW & Other Wrestling

• WWE, AEW, and NWA all paid tribute to Ole Anderson following his passing on Monday.
• This week’s Sammy Guevara vlog.
• Andy Schuon has been named president of AXS TV & HDNET Movies Networks.
• MLW announced that Matt Riddle will defend the NJPW World Television title against Bad Dude Tito at MLW Intimidation Games on Thursday.
• Sean Ross Sapp talked to Bobby Fish.
• Josh Barnett vs. Johnny Bloodsport has been added to Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X.
• Matt Cardona says he has re-signed with GCW.