Weekend Roundup: Mustafa Ali, WWE Interested in Jade Cargill, Nick Wayne Signs w/ AEW, Impact Ratings, Matt Cardona, Super Bowl

WWE

• As noted before, Mustafa Ali recently requested his release from WWE, which was denied by the company. Ali recently provided an update on Twitter stating that he still has around two and a half years remaining on his current contract. In regards to Ali’s current situation in the company, Fightful reported that their sources stated that WWE officials currently do not have any creative plans for Ali.
• WWE filed trademarks for “NXT: Level Up” and “Joey Gonzalez” for wrestling and entertainment-related purposes on February 9th to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
• WWE also filed a trademark for “Superstore Axxess” for merchandise-related purposes on February 8th to the USPTO.
• During a recent interview with Esquire Middle East, Lita gave her reasons why she decided to return to WWE instead of accepting an offer from AEW. Lita stated “AEW is doing exciting stuff. It’s brought new life in the industry. Any time there’s competition, it’s good. It revives the industry. When they reached out to me, I did consider it. I said, we can talk, I’m interested, you guys are doing some interesting stuff. But ultimately, upon talking to them, it just made me say to myself, ‘but I have all of these things already!’ I have those things with my home that I’ve known for 20 years, with the people that I’ve worked with for 20 years. Basically, I gave them my blessing. I said, I will watch you and I support you. And I want you guys to do great, but this just doesn’t feel like the right fit for me right now.”
• The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer reported in Friday’s Daily Update that the reason why Pat McAfee was absent at this past Friday’s SmackDown show was due to him currently being in Los Angeles, California for Super Bowl LVI commitments. Meltzer reported that due to WWE tapings two episodes for SmackDown this past Friday, McAfee will also be absent from next week’s episode as well.
• WWE reportedly is currently interested in potentially signing AEW talent Jade Cargill once her current contract with AEW expires, according to Mat Men Pro Wrestling. Andrew Zarian reported that WWE officials level of interest in Cargill has grown “now that they’ve gotten to see what she can do on TV.”
• WWE reportedly averaged around 4,113 paid fans per show for their RAW, SmackDown, and house show events this past January, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Dave Meltzer reported that RAW averaged 4,680 paid per show, SmackDown averaged 5,667 paid per show, and house show events averaged 3,046 paid per show. In regards to television ratings, RAW averaged around 1,718,200 viewers and a 0.44 18-49 rating per show (down 6.1% in overall viewership & down 18.5% in ratings compared to Jan. 2021), SmackDown averaged around 2,230,250 viewers and a 0.59 rating per show (up 6.2% in overall viewership & down 2.6% in ratings compared to Jan. 2021), and NXT averaged around 628,000 viewers and a 0.14 rating (down 2.4% in overall viewership & down 18.1% in ratings compared to Jan. 2021)
• As noted before, this past Monday’s episode of WWE RAW drew 1,387,000 viewers and a 0.36 18-49 rating on Syfy. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that this past Monday’s show broke the record for lowest ever overall viewership in RAW history, surpassing the previous record of 1,472,000 viewers from the July 5, 2021 episode. RAW’s key demographic rating of 0.36 was the second lowest ever in RAW history, only ahead of the December 6, 2021 episode which drew a 0.35 rating.
• WWE reportedly generated an attendance of 4,912 (4,200 paid) for their Feb. 4th SmackDown show in Oklahoma City, OK, 3,969 for their Feb. 5th house show event in Salt Lake City, UT, 4,638 for their Feb. 6th house show event in Boise, ID, and 6,138 (5,000 paid) for their Feb. 7th RAW show in Denver, CO, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
• WWE reportedly has sold around 3,756 tickets for their Feb. 14th RAW show in Indianapolis, IN, around 4,526 tickets for their Feb. 21st RAW show in Columbia, SC, around 7,031 tickets for their Feb. 25th SmackDown show in Hershey, PA, around 2,745 tickets for their Feb. 26th house show event in Youngstown, OH, around 2,129 tickets for their Feb. 27th house show event in Rochester, NY, around 5,128 tickets for their Feb. 28th RAW show in Columbus, OH, around -3,629 tickets for their March 4th SmackDown show in Miami, FL, around 3,979 tickets for their March 5th house show event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY, around 6,334 tickets for their March 6th house show event in Laval, Canada, around 2,392 tickets for their March 6th house show event in Allentown, PA, around 5,609 tickets for their SmackDown show in Birmingham, AL, around 2,537 tickets for their March 12th house show event in Columbus, GA, around 1,873 tickets for their March 12th house show event in Jackson, MS, around 2,395 tickets for their March 13th house show event in Savannah, GA, around 1,807 tickets for their March 13th show in Pensacola, around 2,932 tickets for their March 14th RAW show in Jacksonville, FL, around 5,210 tickets for their March 18th SmackDown show in Charlotte, NC, around 1,918 tickets for their March 19th house show event in Springfield, around 2,332 tickets for their March 20th house show event in Moline, IL, around -1,508 tickets for their March 20th house show event in Huntsville, AL, around 4,463 tickets for their March 21st RAW show in Chicago, IL, around 3,339 tickets for their March 25th SmackDown show in Brooklyn, NY, around 7,149 tickets for their March 27th house show event in Toronto, Canada, around 2,443 tickets for their March 27th house show event in Charlottesville, VA, around 4,250 tickets for their March 28th RAW show in Pittsburgh, PA, around 47,237 for their April 2nd WrestleMania 38 Night 1 event in Dallas, around 47,970 tickets for their April 3rd WrestleMania 38 event in Dallas, and around 7,936 tickets for their April 4th RAW show in Dallas, Texas as of this past Thursday, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
• Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the recent reports and rumors of Tyson Kidd recently leaving WWE are not true. Meltzer reported that his sources stated that the origin of the rumors is based on a miscommunication regarding the reason why Kidd has been absent backstage in recent weeks. This miscommunication was the cause of rumors spreading around backstage of Kidd quitting the company but instead he is currently at home resting due to issues related his past neck injury. Meltzer reported that WWE officials currently expect Kidd to return to the company once his rest break is over.
• During a recent interview with KSTP Sports, Gable Steveson stated that he is currently planning to focus on his WWE career this March. Steveson stated “That’s it. Yes, that’s it [Steveson responded when asked if the plan is for him to focus on WWE after the NCAA Championships]. It’s not slowing down. Right when March ends, I’m picking it up and I think I’m gonna — I’ll probably head to WrestleMania and do some — I don’t know what from there but you’ll see and then it just picks up again. It’s like it’s no break and so, I mean it’ll be a good body break for me to sit after the NCAA tournament because I’ve been practicing since what? October and probably since the Olympics. I took [some time] off and then came right back to it so, it’ll be good for me to sit and just getting in something new and you know, I’m just trying to push through these few weeks — I’m not trying to push through. I’m trying to really get after it and handle them mentally and physically in the best way possible and just move on to the next step right away.” (Transcript h/t: PostWrestling.com)
• During a recent interview with The Pat McAfee Show podcast, Seth Rollins stated that his Mt. Rushmore of Wrestling would feature Hulk Hogan, John Cena, The Rock, and Stone Cold Steve Austin in terms of biggest drawing power stars and Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Eddie Guerrero, and Bryan Danielson in terms of best ever in-ring wrestlers. Rollins stated “Are we talking wrestling or are we talking drawing money because those are different things? In our business, which is the entertainment business, money-drawing is the biggest thing. If we’re talking there, you gotta start with Hogan. You gotta put Cena there, Rock and Austin. Top four. In-ring all-time: Shawn Michaels, Eddie Guerrero, Bret ‘the Hitman’ Hart…number four, controversial pick because he’s still active, Bryan Danielson. I actually think in-ring he’s one of the greatest of all time and I think when it’s all said and done, he’ll be up there with the guys.” (Transcript h/t: WrestleTalk.com)

AEW

• Indie wrestler Nick Wayne reportedly was offered and accepted a contract from AEW following his match for DEFY Wrestling at their DEFY Year V event on Saturday in Seattle, Washington, according to the Wrestling Observer. Bryan Alvarez reported in a recent episode of the Wrestling Observer Radio that Wayne’s deal is similar to an apprentice type contract due to Wayne currently being underage at 16 years old. The terms of his deal requires him to first finish up his high school learning and will convert into a regular type deal once he reaches 18 years old.
• During a recent interview with the Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast, Christopher Daniels stated that he would be interested in teaming up with Frankie Kazarian again in the future. Daniels stated “We weren’t looking forward to it, but it was a calculated risk to sort of make that offer. At the time there was a wide variety of tag teams in the company and I felt like there was an opportunity for us to maybe do singles as well if the match went the way it ended up happening. I would love an opportunity to tag with Frankie again if that was the case. At the same time, if singles is the way we must go, we’re both very accomplished singles wrestlers and we were before SCU and I think Frankie has proven that he can still go and I’m looking for that opportunity to prove the same.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
• In a recent interview with the Sports Generals podcast, Max Caster revealed that AEW originally had planned for Chris Jericho’s Inner Circle to be named “The Acclaimed.” Caster stated “This is another Tony Khan idea. He apparently had this idea for a tag team called The Acclaimed for a long time. I also heard that it was almost the name of The Inner Circle in AEW where he pitched to Chris Jericho, ‘what if it was Chris Jericho and The Acclaimed, like your band,’ since Chris is a rockstar. They didn’t go for that. Tony, I guess, just wanted a tag team called The Acclaimed. From there, it was just up to us. ‘Max Caster and Anthony Bowens, you are The Acclaimed.’ ‘Oh great, what is that?’ We sat back and realized that it makes perfect sense. We are both highly acclaimed professional wrestlers in our area on the Independents, me and Anthony have very similar paths, which, a lot of people would tell us, ‘You guys are incredible wrestlers, but you just need to be on TV. You don’t fit in on the Independents.’ That’s something that always frustrated us because it sucks being told, ‘You don’t belong here if though you’re the best.’ We proved everyone right. We got on TV and we became everyone’s favorite tag team. We’re highly acclaimed wrestlers and we’re highly acclaimed outside of wrestling. Me with my music, Anthony is a model and actor, he’s in a lot of commercials and he’s a YouTuber. We’re highly acclaimed in multiple fields and that’s really what The Acclaimed is at its core. Now, people want to hear what I say and want to see Anthony superkick people in the face and they want to see me drop the elbow and win.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
• As noted before, Keith Lee was released by WWE this past November and made his official debut for AEW at this past Wednesday’s episode of AEW Dynamite in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that prior to his release, WWE officials felt Lee had a weight issue due his bout with COVID-19 and health issues last year. Meltzer reported that these weigh-related issues were still visible when Lee made his official debut for AEW due to him looking much heavier than he was at the time of his release from WWE three months ago.
• AEW reportedly averaged around 5,020 paid fans for their Dynamite and Rampage shows this past January, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Dave Meltzer reported that Dynamite averaged 1,028,000 viewers and a 0.42 18-49 rating per show (up 31.2% in overall viewership and up 31.7% in ratings compared to Jan. 2021) and Rampage averaged 577,250 viewers and a 0.23 rating per show.
• AEW CEO Tony Khan recently denied reports and rumors of him running for the U.S. House of Representatives for Florida’s Fourth District. The origin of the rumor reportedly was based on reports from Jacksonville Today, Pro Football Talk, and NFL.com’s Ian Rappaport which stated that recent filings revealed that someone named Khan registered to be a candidate for this year’s Congressional elections. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that this filing was made on September 13, 2021 but was done fraudulently by an alleged wrestling fan.
• Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that the reason why Kyle O’Reilly has been absent from recent AEW shows is due to him being granted paternity leave due to the recent birth of his child.
• AEW reportedly generated an attendance of 5,900 (5,500 paid) for their February 9th Dynamite show in Atlantic City, NJ, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
• AEW reportedly has sold around 3,562 tickets for their Feb. 16th Dynamite show in Nashville, TN, around 4,856 tickets for their Feb. 23rd Dynamite show in Bridgeport, CT, around 1,227 tickets for their March 2nd Dynamite show in Jacksonville, around 2,507 tickets for their March 4th Rampage show in Orlando, around 7,473 tickets for their March 6th Revolution 2022 event in Orlando, around 1,621 tickets for their March 9th Dynamite show in Estero, FL, around 4,453 tickets for their March 16th Dynamite show in San Antonio, around 2,827 tickets for their March 23rd Dynamite show in Cedar Park, TX, around 2,064 tickets for their March 30th Dynamite show in Columbia, SC, and around 2,332 tickets for their April 6th Dynamite show in Boston, MA as of this past Thursday, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
• PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that former WWE NXT coach and producer Ace Steel was seen in attendance backstage at AEW’s Dynamite show this past Wednesday in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Johnson reported that Steel was also seen at AEW’s recent set of AEW Dark tapings at the Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
• During a recent interview with the Barstool Rasslin podcast, Joey Janela provided an update regarding the current status of his AEW contract and talks with the company for a new deal. Janela stated “You tell me, I don’t know.I don’t even talk to them. Yeah, I get a check, but I don’t know what’s going on. Some rumor says my contract is up on April 30, so I don’t know what the fuck is going on.I think it will [continue]. If it doesn’t, I look like a fucking idiot right now… I just said it, and this is going online.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
• Entertainment website PopCulture.com held a recent interview with Chris Jericho and one of the topics discussed included Jericho’s thoughts about the future of his wrestling career. Jericho stated “I mean, obviously now at 51, there’s more years behind me than are ahead of me. But if you would’ve asked me five years ago where I was going to go, I probably would’ve said, ‘I’ll probably stop in the next few years.’ But then AEW started and it just rejuvenated everything for me.Not that there’s any comparison, but I think I’m kind of taking on like The Undertaker role in the WWE for his last few years there. Where every time he does something, it’s impactful; it means something. He’s a benefit to have in the locker room. He’s a leader. He’s very experienced. He can tell guys and girls what they’re doing right and what they’re doing wrong. It’s just a good person to have around your roster.So when will I stop? I don’t have a deadline on that, but there’s a lot more you can do than just being in the ring as time marches on. So I think my presence in AEW will be felt for many years to come, for all those reasons that I just explained, because there’s a lot more to do with our company and with Chris Jericho and AEW.”

Indies & Other Wrestling

• Impact Wrestling drew 117,000 viewers, a 0.03 18-49 key demographic rating, and a #145 key demographic ranking for this past Thursday’s episode of Impact! on AXS TV. This was up from last week’s 114,000 viewers and 0.02 rating.
• Impact reportedly averaged 131,000 viewers and a 0.03 18-49 rating per show for this past January, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Dave Meltzer reported that this was down 20.4% in overall viewers and down 26.8% in ratings compared to Jan. 2021.
• Impact announcer Matthew Rehwoltd recently announced on Twitter that this year will likely be his last year as an active wrestler.
• Saturday’s NWA PowerrrTrip event in Oak Grove, Kentucky featured Matt Cardona defeating Trevor Murdoch for the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship. Following the event, the NWA announced that Cardona will be defending his title against Nick Aldis at their Crockett Cup 2022 tournament event on March 19-20 in Nashville, Tennessee.
• The NWA also announced that Jeff Jarrett will be making an appearance for the company at their upcoming Crockett Cup 2022 tournament as their special ambassador for the event.
• The NWA also announced that British Invasion (Nick Aldis & Doug Williams) are the first official entrants for their upcoming Crockett Cup 2022 tournament.
• NWA talent Kylie Rae announced on Twitter that she recently suffered a concussion and this was the reason why she pulled out of all of her scheduled bookings this weekend for the NWA and indies. Rae stated “Thank you for the kind messages. Took a pretty nasty bump last night and suffered a concussion. Unfortunately, I won’t be cleared to perform at @nwa & @ZeloWrestling this weekend. Wishing you all a great show. I’ll be there in spirit. Have fun & Be safe.“
• Former WWE talent Mia Yim announced on Instagram that she is currently planning on making her return to wrestling this March. Yim stated that the reason why she did not return earlier was due to her being busy planning for her wedding to Keith Lee. Yim stated “To those wondering why I’m not back in the ring yet. February is a busy month. With the wedding and the move, I decided to not take any bookings until March to focus on getting everything handled at home first. So don’t worry, I’ll see you all in the ring in March. #HBIC“
• Pro Wrestling NOAH announced that they have stripped Seiki Yoshioka and Yuya Susumu of their GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship due to Yoshioka recently suffering a broken right heel bone injury. It was also announced that the currently scheduled match of HAYATA & Yuya Susumu vs. YO-HEY & Atsushi Kotoge at their February 23rd event in Nagoya, Japan. (English translation via PostWrestling.com)
• During a recent interview with the Wrestling Observer Live, Rocky Romero revealed that New Japan Pro Wrestling had introduced another tier to their contracts system during the COVID-19 pandemic for their NJPW Strong brand. Romero stated “Yeah, there’s a couple different types of deals now. You know, there’s obviously like the, you know, straight-contracted guys, like contracted with New Japan and then there’s like a new contract that we just kind of introduced during the pandemic where it’s a New Japan STRONG or a New Japan of America contract, yeah, USA contract so yeah, some of the STRONG talent, especially, you know, guys that have been well received and well pushed I guess you could say are guys that are under those deals.” (Transcript h/t: PostWrestling.com)
• During a recent episode of the Tama’s Island podcast, co-host Tama Tonga revealed that he recently signed a new contract with NJPW to remain in the company. Tonga stated “It’s true. I was a free agent on January 30. I am now officially signed with New Japan Pro Wrestling.“
• Major League Wrestling recently announced that Puma King will be making an appearance for the company at their SuperFight 2022 event on February 26th in Charlotte, North Carolina.
• Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Lucha Libre AAA recently ended their working partnership with The Crash due to issues involving The Crash recently booking AAA talents Santo & Octagon for their shows. Meltzer reported that AAA officials were very upset when they learned of this due to the current bad blood issues and backstage heat those two talents have within the company.
• As noted before, Konnan is currently suffering from kidneys-related issues due to his recent bout with COVID-19. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Konnan is still waiting clearance from a potential donor for a kidney transplant surgery. In regards to the two donors who were recently found, one reportedly currently lives in Mexico but has yet to be tested to see if he would be compatible while the other donor was rejected for the time being due to him being overweight.
• Prior to the start of tonight’s NFL Super Bowl LVI game in Inglewood, California, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson gave a special promo introduction for the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals to officially kick off the game. During the game itself, an ad was aired from WWE promoting their upcoming WrestleMania 38 event this April in Dallas, Texas