Weekend Roundup: Rick Boogs, RAW & NXT Expected to Leave USA Network, All In PPV Buys, Sami Callihan to Leave Impact, Indies

Indie / Misc

Steve C.

Sep 24, 2023

WWE

As noted before, WWE pulled LA Knight from this past Friday’s SmackDown show in Glendale, Arizona due to him testing positive for COVID-19. The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer reported in Sunday’s Daily Update that WWE officials had announced ahead of the doors opening for their show that Knight would not be making an appearance and would issue refunds to those had purchased a ticket to see Knight. Meltzer reported that WWE rarely does this when a talent is not able to make an appearance for a show unless it is someone of a Roman Reigns type big name star. Meltzer reported that it is currently not known if WWE officials did this due to them currently viewing Knight as a top star or if this was a new policy from their new owners Endeavor.
WWE recently announced that WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker will be holding a new Undertaker 1deadMAN show in February of 2024 in Perth, Australia.
PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that FOX will be airing a new WWE-based special on October 8th on their network. This upcoming new special reportedly is titled The Top 25 Moments In WWE SmackDown History and will air that night at different start times depending on the local market and NFL coverage.
As noted before, the Sept. 15th WWE SmackDown show featured the announcement of Luke Gallows had suffered a recent injury and would be out of action for some time. Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that Gallows’ injury situation is legitimate and he recently had his knee scrapped that will put him out of action for at least six weeks. It was reported that it is currently not known when Gallows had underwent this medical procedure but Gallows last wrestled for WWE over one month ago.
As noted before, Johnny Gargano has been absent from WWE since this past April due to shoulder injury-related issues. Gargano made his in-return earlier this month at several house show events but has yet to officially return to WWE programming. Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that Gargano was seen at WWE’s headquarters this past week. It was reported that the reason for Gargano’s visit is currently not known.
TMZ reported that WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan got married to his third wife Sky Daily this past Friday in Clearwater, Florida.
As noted before, WWE released around twenty-five known talents from their main roster and NXT developmental system this past Thursday. Among those released included Rick Boogs. In a recent video posted on YouTube, Boogs claimed that he was released from WWE due to a “backstage political power play” and stated that he will go into more details regarding this in the future. In a follow-up, Boogs responded to several comments left on his video and stated that he feels that Vince McMahon’s removal from WWE ended up killing his career in the company. Boogs stated “I can say with 100% certainty, the removal of Vince killed my career.” Boogs also gave his thoughts about his issues with the direction of his career in WWE over the past year. Boogs stated “Well that’s your opinion, which is all that business was…opinions and politics. A lot of people tell me I was their favorite, mainly their kids favorite, which is the way it should be considering it’s a PG show. Also, aside from my time with Vince, the character wasn’t even given a chance…the audience has zero idea about all the bullshit I’ve had to put up with for the years. I have plenty to say once the times right.“
WWE recently announced several additional dates for this year’s Holiday Tour set of RAW and house show events, which takes place from November 20th to January 1, 2024.
As noted before, TKO Group announced this past Thursday that WWE recently signed a new television deal with NBC Universal for the return of SmackDown to USA Network starting in 2024. The Hollywood Reporter reported that their sources close to the situation stated that WWE’s RAW and NXT television series are currently expected to leave USA Network following the expiration of their current television contracts in late 2024. It was stated “While the new deal will bring WWE to NBC primetime and SmackDown to USA on Friday nights, it will also mean the end of Raw and NXT on USA. A source familiar with the Raw discussions tell The Hollywood Reporter that the market for the program is “extremely active,” with traditional linear networks, streaming services and `unexpected players’ all interested.” Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand reported that his sources stated that opposite and instead NBCU is still in talks with WWE for a potential new deal to keep both RAW and NXT on their USA Network. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that SmackDown’s exposure on FOX for the final year of its contract likely will be taking a big hit due to being in a lame duck period and FOX unlikely to spend big money on something they will not be keeping.
In regards to the future of WWE’s RAW television series, Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand reported that WWE’s next television deal for RAW could also include the possibility of RAW moving out of their traditional Monday night spot to a new weekly night in order to avoid competing against Monday Night Football during the Fall period of the year.
In regards to WWE’s current streaming deal with NBC’s Hulu service, Hulu recently confirmed that their contract with WWE is currently set to expire this week.
As noted before, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson made a surprise return appearance at the September 15th SmackDown show in Denver, Colorado. Prior to his surprise appearance, Johnson had confirmed in an episode of The Pat McAfee show that day that WWE had locked in plans at one point for him vs. Roman Reigns at this past April’s WrestleMania 39 event. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE’s original plans for Reigns’ “Head of the Table” and “Head of the Family” storyline stuff for The Bloodline was meant to eventually lead to The Rock confronting Reigns over who was the real “Head of the Table” to kick start a feud for WrestleMania 38 at first. Meltzer reported that similar to this year’s WrestleMania 39 show, Reigns’ match for next year’s WrestleMania 40 very likely will come down to if Johnson is able to work at the show. Meltzer reported that Johnson not being able to work at WrestleMania 39 was the main reason why Cody Rhodes was able to have a match against Reigns at the event since Rhodes was not the originally planned opponent for Reigns.
The September 18th WWE RAW show drew 1,331,000 viewers and a 0.44 key demographic rating. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that RAW’s overall viewership was the lowest ever for a non-holiday show and in its regular time slot for a RAW show in RAW series history. RAW’s second hour viewership of 1,368,000 viewers and third hour viewership of 1,255,000 viewers reportedly were both the lowest ever second and third hour viewership for a a regular RAW show in RAW series history. Meltzer reported that the Tomasso Ciampa vs. Giovanni Vinci match only drew 1,192,000 viewers and would be the least-ever viewed match for a regular RAW show in RAW series history.
As noted before, WWE announced this past Friday that next year’s Elimination Chamber event will be taking place in Perth, Australia. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources within WWE stated that this upcoming event will air live in prime-time in Australia. Meltzer reported that this means that the event will be airing live starting at 6AM EST in the United States as a result. In regards to the capacity for the upcoming event, Meltzer reported that the Optus Stadium has a max capacity of around 70,000 for concert events but based on WWE’s typical stage production plans, the max capacity will likely be closer to 55,000 instead. WWE and Perth government officials reportedly currently have the goal of 50,000 for the attendance for this upcoming event with at least half being from people coming from outside of Perth.
Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE’s Payback 2023 event earlier this month is currently estimated to have generated around 10,400 pay-per-view buys based on updated numbers and data.
WWE reportedly generated an attendance of 12,893 (11,500 paid) for their Sept. 15th SmackDown show in Denver, CO, 5,755 for their Sept. 16th house show event in Kennewick, WA, and 5,468 for their Sept. 17th house show event in Boise, ID, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
WWE reportedly has sold around 7,947 tickets for their Sept. 25th RAW show in Ontario, CA, 11,989 tickets for their Sept. 29th SmackDown show in Sacramento, CA, 4,035 tickets for their Sept. 30th NXT No Mercy event in Bakersfield, CA, 5,570 tickets for their Sept. 30th house show event in San Francisco, CA, 2,742 tickets for their Oct. 1st house show event in Stateline, NV, and 8,373 tickets for their Oct. 2nd RAW show in San Jose, CA as of this past Thursday, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

AEW & ROH

Saturday’s AEW Collision show in Grand Rapids, Michigan featured a video package for AEW’s upcoming WrestleDream event that was narrated by AEW CEO Tony Khan. In the video, Khan stated “Next Sunday, October 1, it’ll be one of the greatest nights in wrestling, with every match capable of stealing the show and a card befitting the legacy of a kingdom that has touched every one of us. AEW and the world of pro wrestling will converge as the greatest champions and rivalries in this sport will take center stage live on pay-per-view. At AEW WrestleDream next Sunday, we will pay tribute to the dreamer that made this all possible, the late great Antonio Inoki, with an event one year in the making. You won’t want to miss AEW WrestleDream as we’ll end a chapter in wrestling history and begin a new era in AEW live on ay-per-view next Sunday night, October 1.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
AEW reportedly is currently estimated to have generated around 187,000 pay-per-view buys for this past August’s All In event at Wembley Stadium, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Dave Meltzer reported that the final numbers for cable television PPV buys were around 33.5% of what AEW and NJPW’s Forbidden Door II event had generated for cable TV buys.
In regards to AEW’s All Out 2023 event, Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that AEW’s event is currently estimated to have generated around 95,000 PPV buys. Meltzer reported that All Out 2023 saw a big surge in late buys over this past week and total buys were around 50.6% of what All In is estimated to have generated based on current data and numbers.
AEW reportedly generated an attendance of 3,329 for their Sept. 16th Collision show in State College, PA and 11,263 for their Sept. 20th Dynamite & Rampage Grand Slam 2023 show at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
AEW reportedly has sold around 1,959 tickets for their Sept. 27th Dynamite show in Broomfield, CO, 3,469 tickets for their Sept. 30th Collision show in Seattle, and 5,005 tickets for their Oct. 1st WrestleDream event in Seattle, WA as of this past Thursday, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
As noted before, Adam Cole suffered an ankle-related at this past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite Grand Slam 2023 event at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that there has not been any new updates regarding the nature nor severity of Cole’s injury as of this past Friday based on his sources. Meltzer reported that due to Cole’ injury situation, the ROH World Tag Team Championship match at next Sunday’s WrestleDream match is currently in doubt.
Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that AEW’s current television deal with Warner Bros Discovery is set to expire in December 31, 2024. Meltzer reported that this confirmed that WBD had signed a new television deal with AEW for Collision and had activated the option year in their deal to push the expiration date to the end of 2024. In regards to AEW’s talks for a new television deal, Meltzer reported that AEW is still in an exclusivity window with WBD for talks and AEW officials are currently hopeful that if WWE were to get a large increase for their new TV deals, this would potentially increase the value of wrestling television and help out their odds at getting a much higher amount for their next TV deal as well. Meltzer reported that if AEW were to manage to get the same percentage increase as WWE got for SmackDown, that would mean AEW’s new TV deal would be worth around $329 million per year for Dynamite, Rampage, and Collision. Meltzer also reported that based on the rumors of AEW going to MAX in the future and moving to a 12 PPVs per year schedule, the previously speculated amount of $200 million to $240 million per year for a potential new TV deal looks very possible for AEW at the moment.
In a recent post on The Player’s Tribute, Anthony Bowens reflected on The Acclaimed’s journey so far in AEW and praised the fans for helping them reach greater level of success for their careers.
Fightful Select reported that AEW is currently scheduled to hold a new Dynamite show on November 15th in Ontario, California. It was reported that the reason why AEW has yet to officially announce this upcoming show is due to the terms WWE had with host venue Toyota Arena that forbides both the arena and AEW from advertising this show until after a period of time passes following this Monday’s WWE RAW show at the venue.
As noted before, Santana made his surprise return from a knee injury for AEW this past August. In a recent interview with the Superstar Crossover podcast, AEW CEO Tony Khan gave his thoughts about Mike Santana’s recent return to the company. Khan stated “Well, Mike Santana is a great wrestler. I really like Mike Santana. I think it’s definitely something, that he’s back in AEW, that we’re all excited about. I really am interested to see where he goes as a single now, if he’s going to be an individual and not part of this great tag team we’ve seen for such a long time, Santana and Ortiz. I think I’m interested to know where they each go as individuals. Certainly, it’s been a great situation as a tag team, but if it’s not sustainable, they’re two great pro wrestlers. So it’s something to keep an eye on for sure.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
In a recent interview with Ring The Belle, former AEW talent Brandi Rhodes gave her thoughts about the rumors regarding the reason for her departure from AEW in early 2022. Rhodes stated “Yes (the plan was to wrestle Paige VanZant). So that ended up happening and I don’t know… Maybe that was the plan all along. I can’t remember. But I remember being like, ‘What are we doing?’ And then the first one when I got to call him (Dan Lambert) the Paul Heyman wannabe, that was so fun and that pandemic crowd had so much fun with it. They were having a blast and then, you know, pockets of the internet starting flaring up about X, Y and Z and then it started to become a little bit less fun and I think that’s where you end up with Dan kind of stepping away, Cody (Rhodes) and I had our reasons that we left. That was not one. Hey, I’m gonna say, someone asked me this earlier about, ‘What can you say about why you left?’ I said, ‘Well Cody got to say in the documentary what was not true.’ I didn’t get to say that. So I was like, I would like to say that, because since I can’t say some other things, I would like to say what’s not true. So it’s not true that we left because the Dan Lambert segments upset me. That’s not true. Everything that Dan said, I was there for, I enjoyed it and some of it almost made me laugh a couple of times because I was just like, jeez, this man. The other thing that’s not true is it’s not true that I was not going to get another contract. We were both well on our way to trying to decide what our contracts were so it was not true that they decided not to renew my contract and only wanted to renew Cody’s and that’s why Cody left, not true. So those are two things you can cross off the list and the conspiracy theories can continue but those can go away.“
In the same interview, Rhodes gave her thoughts about being upset that nobody within AEW stood up in her defense over the online criticisms she received over the booking and handling of AEW’s Women’s division during her time in the company. Rhodes stated “Actually, what was the most hurtful about it to me (facing criticism for booking of AEW’s women’s division) was not that people looked to me and said, ‘Hey, you do something about this or maybe this is your fault.’ But that no one stood up and said it’s not. That’s something that was really easy to do. It doesn’t look good coming from me in the moment to say, hey, this isn’t me so I’m not gonna do that. But there were plenty of people who I felt could have stepped in, said, hey you guys, this is a joint effort. This is not all on one person but, that never was done and never was said. To this day, I feel like — this is the first time I’m talking about that so, that was hurtful, especially knowing the time and the effort that was spent with different people and not even just me, there were other people who were trying really hard behind the scenes and working at different things that I don’t feel like people know and it’s kind of a bummer. It would be nice for people to know who was working hard and I’ll say another person who was working hard, Awesome Kong, was working very hard and did not get that recognition.” Rhodes also gave her thoughts on her decision to step away as AEW’s Chief Brand Officer. Rhodes stated “I would say that that’s the hardest thing. So, I’ve always said I did not plan to continue to wrestle beyond 40 and I’m now 40. So, wrapping up the wrestling a year early, not so hard because I already had that in mind. But, Chief Brand Officer thing was something that I thought I could do for a really long time so that was the part that was kind of like, man, this stings because that work was so great to be able to do. I remember bringing the KultureCity stuff to AEW and when we did the first event and seeing the children sitting with their headphones and their kits and everything and being able to enjoy those shows, that was a monumental moment for me and after that show, I got a phone call just driving home one day, from KultureCity, and they asked me if I would like to be a member of their Board because they were so happy with the work that I had done and I have no connection to Autism. Most people who are Board members, they have a family connection or something close to them. For them to want to work with me after that just made me feel so good. I got off the phone and I cried. I just cried in my car on the way home because I was just so happy to be able to help in that way. So leaving something like that behind, really, really stung, because it just filled me up to be able to go to shows and meet these families and meet these people and bring people backstage and watch them meet their heroes and just make these impossible things happen for people. That’s what I loved to do and again, that’s why moving into this direction of having the yoga/Pilates studio, being able to make things happen for people that they wouldn’t be able to do on their own, that’s what I wanna do. That’s what I like to do.” (Transcript h/t: PostWrestling.com)
As noted before, Matt Hardy was among the people that had originally been not allowed to work at AEW Collision shows due to backstage issues involving CM Punk at the time. In a recent episode of The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast, co-host Matt Hardy gave his thoughts about being pulled from the June 30th Collision show due to backstage issues not involving Tony Khan. Hardy stated “I’m actually gonna go into that a little bit because people ask about what happened. So whenever we were in Hamilton, we were there on Wednesday live for Dynamite and Rampage taping for Friday, and then there was a Collision the next night. So I had been asked a few days before I would be willing and free to stay for Collision because Ethan Page was officially turning babyface on that Wednesday night on Rampage. We were gonna be together in solidarity. We were gonna be buddies and have each other’s back. He was gonna protect me in the match we had there. Then that evening, about six p.m., it was clear. They said, ‘Oh, it’s gonna be good.’ From Tony, he says, ‘Oh, that’s great. Thank you so much for doing this, I appreciate it.’ MJF, ‘Thank you so much for doing this, it’s gonna be great. It’s gonna add so much to do it.’ Ethan Page, ‘Thank you so much for doing this. It’s gonna add so much to it.’ Then we do our bit on Rampage. We get out of there, we leave. I drive back to my hotel in Toronto, and it’s almost midnight. Then I get a message from someone in the creative process, and they said, ‘Just so you know, you and Isiah aren’t needed tomorrow.’ I already changed my flight to Friday with the travel prior and everything else, and it was already confirmed by Tony Khan that I was gonna be there. Then we found out that night that I wasn’t gonna be there. Then the next day, I couldn’t fly out until four p.m. that day, and then I got to Charlotte. Then my flight to Raleigh kept getting delayed, and eventually It was canceled, so then I had to get a car and rent it and drive home and go to Raleigh the next day and get my car. It ended up being a travel nightmare. I was flying home that morning at 8:30 or 9 a.m to get home and spend the day with my family, but then it cost me a total day and then half the other day because I had to go back to Raleigh and get my car and whatever else. So someone changed that during the day, and it wasn’t Tony Khan. So I don’t know. I can’t point the fingers at any names. But I’ll let people come to their own conclusion. You can make your own deductions out of this. That’s what ended up happening, and that’s why myself and Isiah, we weren’t needed at Collision when everyone had asked us to do it for days on end, and then I said I would, and Tony Khan approved it. Five to six hours later, it was not happening. Which was very strange. So you can make your own deductions on what happened.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
In a recent interview with the Busted Open Radio podcast, Chris Jericho gave his thoughts on being proud for the future of AEW due to the rises of MJF, Orange Cassidy, Darby Allin and others as future big stars for the company. Jericho stated “Very proud (of MJF). Very, very proud… Our story went a year, because I think it was like 366 days from our first meeting. I remember Tony Schiavone, we did a split screen, we both said, ‘What an idiot’ at the same time, to the last time we did whatever we did, and that was the idea. That’s the idea of anything I’ve done in AEW. It’s not about me anymore. I’m not the future of AEW. A guy like Max is and still is not even half as good as he’s gonna be three or four years from now. I just tried to teach him a few things but, he’s a natural, right? But to work with him or to work with Sammy (Guevara), Dani Garcia, Orange Cassidy, the stuff I’ve done with Darby Allin, working with Mox when he first came in. Mox was not the Mox he is now when he first came to AEW. Neither was Cody (Rhodes) when we did our first feud. He was not the same guy. So just being with those guys and learning together and working together has just been a blast and I say this to Matt Hardy or Christian: There’s no need for Jericho and Christian to have a match or Jericho and Matt. We’ve seen that match a thousand times. To me, that would almost feel like early 2000s TNA. I don’t wanna do that. Put Matt with Isiah Kassidy and put Christian with Jack Perry and put Jericho with Sammy Guevera or Will Ospreay… You both benefit each other. They get the rub from working with an experienced guy, you get the rub from working with a younger guy and it’s still contemporary. All these matches are fresh matches and that’s what it’s all about. I really enjoyed working with Ricky Starks here and I’m trying to think of all the guys I’ve been with; Eddie Kingston. Man, we had a great feud. I love Eddie. I never even knew who the hell Eddie Kingston was. I never heard of him. I thought when they first brought him in that he was Eddie Edwards. I didn’t know Eddie Kingston. ‘Who is that?’ The guy’s f*cking great. What a great talent that never had a chance and now he’s really starting to blossom into what he’s gonna be so, I’m very proud of all those guys, to see their development.” Jericho also gave his thoughts on his belief that AEW is in a better place now than it was a month ago. Jericho stated “Yes (AEW is better than it was a month ago). Yes, absolutely.” (Transcript h/t: PostWrestling.com)

Impact, NJPW, Indies, & Misc. Wrestling

Saturday’s Who’s Gonna Top? 2023 event for DDT Pro Wrestling in Tokyo, Japan featured Chris Jericho making a surprise video appearance. During his promo, Jericho challenged Konosuke Takeshita to a match at DDT’s Ultimate Party 2023 event on November 12th in Tokyo, Japan.
DDT generated a paid attendance of 75 for their Sept. 18th Shinkansen Pro Wrestling event in Tokyo, Japan, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. This event was notable for taking place inside of a Shinkansen train and only consisted of a Falls Count Anywhere match between Minoru Suzuki and Sanshiro Takagi. This was also the first time in wrestling history that a wrestling event took place inside of a moving train.
Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that Sami Callihan’s contract with Impact Wrestling is currently believed to expire at the end of this month. It was reported that both sides have been in talks regarding a potential new deal. It was also reported that Callihan is also currently allowed to talk with other promotions for a potential deal elsewhere. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources confirmed that Callihan’s contract is set to expire this week and him working at this weekend’s Impact television tapings in Memphis was him finishing up his current commitments with the company.
In a recent interview with Sportskeeda’s Wrestling Outlaws podcast, EC3 stated that he was not contacted by Impact for a potential appearance at their Impact 1000 tapings earlier this month in White Plains, New York. EC3 stated “No (on if he was contacted about appearing at IMPACT 1000). Billy Corgan would really do anything that would help the brand identity and build up different things. As far as IMPACT, I have no idea. But no, I didn’t get contacted despite being the only person who went undefeated for two-plus years, has two world titles, and be the sweet, sweet nephew of one of the former owners, you know? But I’m sure it was a really good show, which I’ll never watch because I never watch any shows.” (Transcript h/t: Sportskeeda.com)
In a post-match press conference at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Road to Destruction 2023 event in Fukuoka, Japan, Kazuchika Okada gave his thoughts about not being that fond of Impact due to how much he hated his time in TNA Wrestling, Impact’s prior name, early into his wrestling career. Okada stated “IMPACT Wrestling? Give me a break. There’s not a promotion I hate more in this world! But I was a pretty big Motor City fan back in the day. A little while back, we faced them in a tag three-way. I know exactly how good they are, but this is a three-on-three NEVER six-man match, and we’re walking in champions. Being the face of NJPW, I can say that I hate…Actually, I don’t give a damn about IMPACT. Who I really hated was TNA.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
New Japan Pro Wrestling reportedly generated a paid attendance of 1,114 for their Sept. 16th Road to Destruction 2023 event in Hiroshima, 1,256 for their Sept. 17th Road to Destruction 2023 event in Fukuoka, 1,380 for their Sept. 18th Road to Destruction 2023 event in Nagasaki, 778 for their Sept. 20th Road to Destruction 2023 event in Shimonoseki, and 808 for their Sept. 21st Road to Destruction 2023 event in Shimane, Japan, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
In a recent interview with BodySlam.net, NJPW talent Royce Isaacs revealed that he is currently a free agent. Isaacs stated “I’m still a free agent unfortunately, still trying to find someone to put a ring on it…I don’t know how to say this without being like super cryptic and sounding like I’m just making things up or whatever but I will say in the past few days without getting into super details that I do have people that are that are starting to be interested in me in some of these bigger TV companies so we’ll see.” Isaacs also stated that his ideal choice for his career would be to remain in NJPW if possible.
Sukeban recently released their entire debut event from this past Thursday in New York City, New York on their official YouTube channel.
Saturday’s Deadlock Pro Wrestling show featured Adam Cole making a surprise video appearance. During his promo, Cole accepted a recent challenge that had been issued by Chris Danger for a match between the two at DPW’s November 12th event.
Pro Wrestling NOAH reportedly generated a paid attendance of 1,532 for their Sept. 17th Naomichi Marufuji Debut 25th Anniversary Show in Tokyo, Japan, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Stardom reportedly generated a paid attendance of 495 for their Sept. 16th 5STAR Grand Prix 2023 event in Fukuoka, 518 for their Sept. 17th 5STAR Grand Prix 2023 event in Morodomi, 437 for their Sept. 18th 5STAR Grand Prix 2023 event in Yamaguchi, 489 for their Sept. 20th 5STAR Grand Prix 2023 event in Mirai, Japan, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
As noted before, Utami Hayashishita suffered an injury this past week resulting in her being pulled from the remainder of this year’s 5STAR Grand Prix 2023 tournament for Stardom. Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that Hayashishita did not suffer a specific injury that caused her to be pulled from the rest of the tournament but instead she had been working through a neck-related injury that had gotten worse in terms of pain.
As noted before, El Hijo del Vikingo suffered a hip-related injury at Ring of Honor’s ROH TV tapings last weekend in State College, Pennsylvania. TheCubsFan reported that his sources stated that Lucha Libre AAA officials had been in doubt and made no official decision over the past week that Vikingo would be able to compete in his scheduled AAA Mega Championship match against Komander at Saturday’s AAA television tapings. During Saturday’s AAA television tapings, Vikingo came out and gave a speech to the crowd stating that he was unable to compete on the show and requested for Komander to have a replacement opponent for his match.
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre reportedly generated an attendance of around 15,000 for their Sept. 16th 90 Anniversario event in Mexico City, Mexico, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
In a recent interview with WGN 9, National Wrestling Alliance owner Billy Corgan revealed that he got married to his longtime girlfriend Chloe Mendel on September 16th.
As noted before, Yuka Sakazaki has been out of action for Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling since this past June due to a neck injury. TJPW recently provided an update stating that Sakazaki is still undergoing treatment for her neck and they currently do not have a timetable for her return from injury.

Wrestling TV Ratings for Week of Sept. 15 to Sep. 21, 2023

WWE Friday Night SmackDown – 2,569,000 viewers, 0.70 rating (prior week – 2,094,000 viewers, 0.53 rating)
WWE RAW – 1,331,000 viewers, 0.44 rating (prior week – 1,353,000 viewers, 0.40 rating)
WWE NXT – 824,000 viewers, 0.24 rating (prior week – 850,000 viewers, 0.26 rating)
AEW Rampage – 335,000 viewers, 0.09 rating (prior week – 385,000 viewers, 0.13 rating)
AEW Collision – 467,000 viewers, 0.15 rating (prior week – 476,000 viewers, 0.15 rating)
AEW Dynamite – 984,000 viewers, 0.36 rating (prior week – 888,000 viewers, 0.31 rating)
Impact Wrestling Impact! – 106,000 viewers, 0.01 rating (prior week – 107,000 viewers, 0.01 rating)
NJPW on AXS TV – N/A (prior week – 60,000 viewers, 0.00 rating)
Various (DSotR, WWE on A&E, etc) – N/A

Total viewership in terms of overall tally for the week: 6,616,000 viewers (up 463,000 viewers compared to prior week’s 6,153,000 viewers)