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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Among the topics covered:
Ted Turner’s legacy in sports
The history of pro wrestling on the Turner Networks
The skyrocketing success and rapid decline of WCW
The television heyday of Georgia Championship Wrestling
How Ted Turner first got involved in pro wrestling
Why Vince McMahon hated Ted Turner and how irrational it was at times
The local TV business in the early 70s
The 1972-74 Atlanta wrestling war, how it started and ended
The start of Gordon Solie and Tony Schiavone on TBS
The growth of TBS
The launching of CNN
How Vince McMahon got on TBS
Why McMahon and Turner had issues during their year working together
The role Jim Barnett played
The death of Mid South Wrestling
The death of Jim Crockett Promotions
The death of WCW
How Barnett manipulated the Crocketts getting on TBS
Vince McMahon’s cable power plays and Turner’s reactions
The signing of Hulk Hogan and rise of Eric Bischoff
Hall, Nash and Bret Hart come to WCW
How Bischoff nearly purchased WCW and how it fell through
A reprint of a 2001 article on the closing of WCW that Ted Turner himself read and praised
Reaction to the death of WCW
Numerous people react to the death
The tribute on AEW television
His exploits in other sports
Rupert Murdoch, Ric Flair, Jane Fonda, Tony Khan and others in sports comment on Turner’s death
Turner’s life after he lost control of the networks
His charitable work
Update on Tanea “Rebel” Brooks
A first look at how UFC is performing and its revenue driven vs. expense for Paramount
WWE cuts continue and are looked at
A crazy note about the income of just four of TKO’s top executives and how it compares to the pay for UFC and WWE athletes. This is absolutely shocking
Nick Khan’s new contract with TKO
Why so many cuts were made this year and more notes on the pay cuts
New Day bid farewell
WWE & UFC first quarter financials looked at
More talk regarding Middle East shows, Zuffa Boxing, and complaints regarding WWE and UFC
Backlash preview, business notes and odds
Notes on AEW Double or Nothing
New Japan Dontaku coverage
Nico Ali Walsh on Nick Khan’s testimony before Congress
NOAH big show notes
The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the pro wrestling and MMA shows this past week
Fantastica Mania Mexico
CMLL vs. MLW at Arena Mexico notes
Grande Americano vs. Grande Americano
Lots of injury updates
Who in AEW was set for a major push that is now on hold
Champion Carnival down to final four
Cuatrero convicted in domestic violence case involving Stephanie Vaquer
Raja Jackson case coming to a close
Former WWE wrestler murder case makes pub again
Worldwide YouTuber numbers
Dana White talks McGregor’s return
Notes on Roman Reigns and his schedule
When did Nick Khan learn Vince McMahon was being investigate for sex trafficking
Janel Grant gets more public
Notes from WWE’s television contracts
This Week’s Back Issue
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Tuesday Update
Liv Morgan WWE (Image credit: WWE)
WWE
Nattie paid tribute to Asuka on social media after it appeared she was taking time off following Monday’s Raw: “So grateful I got to hug you when you came back after your match at Backlash, Asuka. You mean so much to all of us, both in the ring and backstage. Nothing but love, admiration, and respect for you always @WWEAsuka. You are everything that is great about wrestling.”
Randy Orton responded on social media after someone spent $42,100 at an auction for a one-of-a-kind WrestleMania 41 card: “Whoever bought this card should be entitled to the throwback gear I wore at WM41.”
Liv Morgan traded words with Nikki Bella on social media: “I can’t believe ur tweeting me from home with ur broken a** ankle but since you want my attention…. Ur sister and Beige should be embarrassed. Next week @RaquelWWE & @roxanne_wwe are gonna be our NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions & as for you ? You can just keep on watching me. Happy Mother’s Day btw, much love to all the single mothers out there.”
John Cena is in a new commercial for Chime.
Trick Williams received a resolution from the South Carolina House of Representatives while on News 19 WLTX.
WWE Vault additions include a show held in Kuwait from May 12, 1996, Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage vs. Jake Roberts & Berzerker from a January 1992 dark match, John Cena vs. Big Show from Judgement Day 2009, and John Cena vs. Ryback in a Last Man Standing match from Extreme Rules 2013.
AEW & Other Wrestling
Justin Barrasso interviewed new AEW National Champion Mark Davis, who reflected on his time in AEW: “I’m whole again,” he remarked. “I have the space, time, and support for all of that to happen in AEW, and I’m blessed to work here. It’s changed my life.”
When Sean Ross Sapp asked on social media where AEW should run an event next, MJF replied “MSG.”
Callum Newman is returning to RevPro to take on Leon Cage on May 17.
NJPW interviewed Robbie X ahead of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament.
TNA’s Champions Challenge returns on May 15 in Sacramento.
The next Hardy Party is scheduled for May 13, also in Sacramento.
Kenta Kobashi recently celebrated the 13th anniversary of his retirement: “About 14 years ago, I decided to retire with the words, “I can no longer do Kenta Kobashi-style pro wrestling.” I have no regrets about my decision!! On December 25, 2012, I founded Fortune KK. I started it together with my wife, hand in hand. I myself felt anxious about the future after retirement. I think my wife felt even more anxious than I did. I am truly grateful to Mayuko. And thanks to the passionate support from Kenta Kobashi fans across the nation, I was able to welcome this 13th retirement anniversary with a smile. Thank you!!”
Bryan Rose
Bryan Rose is an editor from California that has been covering professional wrestling for well over a decade. He officially joined F4WOnline as an editor in 2017.