Author: John Bass

WrestleMania 39 Breaks All-Time WrestleMania Gate Record

WWE issued the following: 

WWE today announced that WrestleMania Goes Hollywood (WrestleMania 39), which will originate from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles across two nights, broke the company’s all-time gate record for any WrestleMania, despite having yet to announce a single match. The previous record announced was $17.3 million in 2016 at WrestleMania 32 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The record gate comes on the heels of unprecedented ticket sales demand for WWE in 2022, in which it produced the highest-grossing gates of all time for Royal Rumble, Survivor Series and WWE Extreme Rules. WWE Clash at the Castle in Cardiff, Wales, which marked WWE’s first major stadium show in the U.K. in 30 years, was the highest-grossing U.K. event in company history.

Additionally, WWE set in-market gate records for SmackDown and Raw events in more than 20 markets for the year, including the Dec. 30 SmackDown, which took place in Tampa, Fla., and heralded the return of  John Cena.

WrestleMania 39 streams live on Saturday, April 1, and Sunday, April 2, exclusively on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else.

Full Card Announced For The Great Muta’s Final Bye-Bye Event

The full card for The Great Muta’s Final Bye-Bye event presented by the Japanese promotion Pro Wrestling NOAH has been announced.

Muta will wrestle in a six-man tag match and team up with AEW stars Sting & Darby Allin.

The event will take at the Yokohama Arena on Sunday, January 22, and air live on Abema TV. This will be Keiji Mutoh’s final match as The Great Muta. However, this is not going to be his final match as a pro wrestler. Mutoh’s actual final match will emanate from the Tokyo Dome on Tuesday, February 21.

-The Great Muta, Sting, and Darby Allin vs. Hakushi, AKIRA, and Naomichi Marufuji

-Kaito Kiyomiya, Hijo de Doctor Wagner Jr., Takashi Sugiura, and Satoshi Kojima vs. Kenoh, Katsuhiko Nakamjima, Masakatsu Funaki, and Manabu Soya

-AMAKUSA, Ultimo Dragon, and Ninja Mack vs. YO-HEY, Kzy, and Dante Leon

-GHC Martial Arts Rules match: Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Hideki Suzuki

-Jake Lee, Jack Morris, and Anthony Greene vs. Masa Kitamiya, Daiki Inaba, and Yoshiki Inamura

-Yoshinari Ogawa, Eita, and NOSAWA Rongai vs. Junta Miyawaki, Alejandro, and Yasutaka Yano

-Timothy Thatcher vs. Masaaki Mochizuki

-Jungle Kyona and Saori Anno vs. Sumire Natsume and Maya Yukihi

-Atsushi Kotogi and Seiki Yoshioka vs. Hajime Ohara and Hi69

Some People In WWE ‘Want Out’ If Vince McMahon Is Back

The news about Vince McMahon’s return is a huge story for the wrestling business and it’s anyone’s guess what this means for WWE’s future. What is known for sure is that there’s a lot of people in the company who are shocked at the recent events.

PWInsider reported today that his return “pretty much shocked everyone we have spoken with.” The feeling is that other than people in his inner circle, this took most people in the company by surprise and there are a lot of people wondering what is next.

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The morale in the company is said to have been much better since McMahon stepped down last July. PWInsider added that they heard from some who said that “they want out” if McMahon returns. Well, he is back so we’ll see what happens but one has to wonder if some people will be let go as Triple H has brought back a lot of names that were let go when Vince was in charge.

Mike Johnson at PWInsider wrote, “Vince is exercising ultimate control. Everyone in WWE is still processing that he did.”

An “all hands on deck” company meeting is scheduled for 3 pm eastern today so we may know more about Vince’s plans by then.

Source: WrestlingNews.co

AEW Rampage and Battle of the Belts Preview 1/6/2023

Tonight’s first AEW Rampage of 2023 will air live on TNT ay 10/9C, and emanate from the Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. Immediately following Rampage will be a special live Battle of the Belts V, from the same venue, airing on TNT.

Rampage:

  • Top Flight vs. Jon Moxley & Bryan Danielson
  • AEW Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter & Britt Baker vs. The Renegade Twins
  • Perro Peligroso vs. TBA
  • TNT Championship: Darby Allin (c) vs. Mike Bennett
  • The House of Black will speak

Battle Of The Belts:

  • AEW All-Atlantic Championship: Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Kip Sabian
  • AEW TBS Championship: Jade Cargill (c) Skye Blue
  • AEW World Tag Team Championship (No Holds Barred Match): The Acclaimed (c) Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal

WWE SmackDown Preview 1/6/2023

WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on FOX, and emanate from the FedEX Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.

WWE Holding Important Employee Meeting Later This Afternoon

As previously reported, Vince McMahon has officially returned to the WWE board of directors, adding George Barrios and Michelle Wilson as well. He announced that he was coming back to oversee media rights negotiations and any potential sale of the company.

PWInsider reports that there will be an employee meeting this afternoon which is being described as ‘all hands on deck’. The meeting happens at 3:30 PM ET.

Source: 411Mania

Read Stephanie McMahon’s Email That She Sent To WWE Employees About Vince McMahon’s Return

WWE has told their employees that there will be an “all hands on deck” meeting at 3:30 pm. This appears to be about Vince McMahon‘s return to the WWE Board of Directors. 

WWE co-CEO Stephanie McMahon sent an email to all employees, attaching the latest WWE press release, and noted: 

“Today, WWE announced the return of our founder Vince McMahon to our Board of Directors and a review of the company’s strategic alternatives. Please see attached. Nick, Frank, and I will discuss this exciting opportunity at today’s All Employee meeting. See you at 3:30.”

As controlling shareholder of WWE, McMahon removed JoEllen Lyons Dillon, Jeffrey R. Speed, and Alan M. Wexler from the Board. Vince, George Barrios, and Michelle Wilson have been added to the Board.

https://twitter.com/BrandonThurston/status/1611389686961815555
https://twitter.com/BrandonThurston/status/1611389689365430276

Source: ewrestlingnews

WWE Confirms Vince McMahon Is Rejoining The Board, Stock Spikes

McMahon initially stepped down as CEO after an investigation found that he had paid nearly $15 million to four women over 16 years to quiet claims of sexual misconduct.

World Wrestling Entertainment confirmed on Friday that former CEO and majority shareholder Vince McMahon will be reinstated to the company’s board.

The company’s stock spiked 20% on the news of McMahon’s comeback.

“Today, we announce that the founder of WWE, Vince McMahon, will be returning to the Board,” WWE executives said in a Friday press release.

The Board’s confirmation follows McMahon’s own announcement on Thursday that he intended to reinstate himself as executive chairman and launch an effort to sell the company. He also said he would bring back former co-presidents Michelle Wilson and George Barrios as board directors.

Three current board members, JoEllen Lyons Dillon, Jeffrey Speed and Alan M. Wexler, were removed from their positions. Two additional directors, Ignace Lahoud and Man Jit Singh, resigned from the board, effective Friday.

McMahon initially stepped down as CEO after an investigation found that he had paid nearly $15 million to four women over 16 years to quiet claims of sexual misconduct.

Even during his leave, McMahon maintained control over the company as a majority shareholder. In a November regulatory filing, WWE said, “Mr. McMahon can effectively exercise control over our affairs.”

McMahon saw a need to return to his board position as the company faces negotiations over media rights and strategic initiatives moving forward, according to The Wall Street Journal. WWE has been spotted as a target for acquisition recently.

Analysts at MKM Partners, which has a buy rating on the stock, said in a note Friday that “an immediate exploration of a sale for WWE makes a lot of sense.”

WWE confirmed Friday it would review “strategic alternatives,” but said, “There is no assurance that this process will result in a transaction.”

Shares of the company are up 75% in the last 12 months. The stock trades with a market capitalization of more than $6 billion.

Source: NBC News

Dustin Rhodes Announces The Passing Of His Mother

AEW star Dustin Rhodes announced the passing of his mother, Sandra Runnels, in a post on social media yesterday. The former WWE Intercontinental Champion added an image holding his mother’s hand alongside the heartbreaking news. The announcement came after the 53-year-old tragically disclosed on December 27, 2022, that his mom didn’t have long to live following an undisclosed health battle. 

Rhodes wrote on Twitter: “I am very sad to say that I lost my Momma today. She was an incredibly strong mother who was loving and resilient to her dying day. She taught me everything, and I am the man I am today because of her. I am so saddened but so happy she is no longer in pain. Rest in Heaven.”

Rhodes revealed in an extended Instagram post that his mother had been in pain over the last month, which was tough on him and his sisters, Kristin and Mandy. He thanked everyone who had sent prayers and wanted everyone to continue praying for his family during this challenging period. 

Many personalities in the wrestling industry have since added their condolences to Rhodes’ social media post. Undefeated AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill commented, “I’m so sorry Dustin. I’m praying for you and your family,” “WWE NXT” star Cora Jade wrote, “So sorry for your loss,” while WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry said, “Brother I’m so sorry! I grieve with you. I’m praying for you.” 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Backstage News On Whether Mercedes Mone Is Really Going To AEW

Last night’s “AEW Dynamite” included a sit-down interview featuring Saraya, Toni Storm, and Hikaru Shida speaking with Renee Paquette. In the interview, Saraya stated that she had the best women’s wrestler in the world sitting next to her, and chose Storm as her partner for next week, much to the ire of Shida. For some, this put the question of whether or not Mercedes Moné will debut for the company next week to rest. That includes Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer, who spoke on the “Wrestling Observer Radio” podcast about the issue.

“It was very clear on the show tonight, she is not in Los Angeles,” Meltzer said. “She’s not coming to AEW. I don’t think she wants to make that commitment, because if she goes to AEW it’s a long commitment.” Meltzer’s co-host, Bryan Alvarez, made it clear that he hasn’t been told anything, but he still believes Moné is a strong possibility for the January 11 show.

“I’ve heard denials from AEW people in the match,” Meltzer continued. “That’s why they had to announce somebody this week. Because they knew that it was really screwed, because everybody was thinking it was her, and it wasn’t her.”

Alvarez is not the only one who isn’t completely sold on things being exactly as they seem. Shida’s clear frustration at Saraya choosing Storm over her, along with the “Boss” reference from Dr. Britt Baker earlier in the show, has led some to believe Moné is still a possibility, or at the very least shenanigans will take place before next week’s match to change things up. Whatever the outcome, there’s no doubt plenty of eyes will be on AEW as the company heads to Los Angeles for the second time.

Source: Wrestling Inc.