The Wrestling Thread

[Jagosaurus]

So I saw the Jericho entrance to AEW All Out. That was pretty sweet.

Also, saw some one had the ROH belt in a clip. I know ROH does cross- promo stuff but does the belt show up on AEW often? How's that work?

Don't have enough time in my life for wrestling, but happy to see it seeming to be in a good state for fans.

[Reprise]

So I saw the Jericho entrance to AEW All Out. That was pretty sweet.

Also, saw some one had the ROH belt in a clip. I know ROH does cross- promo stuff but does the belt show up on AEW often? How's that work?

Don't have enough time in my life for wrestling, but happy to see it seeming to be in a good state for fans.

I have only ever watched ROH stuff from the 2000s, but from what I gather, a couple of years ago there were concerns ROH was going to shut down, until Tony Khan announced on Dynamite that he had bought ROH. Since then he has continued it as its own seperate promotion, but for some weird reason that I cannot work out (maybe it helps for me to watch it), ROH guys keep showing up on AEW television and vice versa.

It's very weird to be honest. AEW guys will keep disappearing and I'd think it's weird I haven't seen them in ages and then I'd find out that they have been on ROH for months.

[Raging Justice]

https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/wwe- ... ock-market

"A new era for WWE is officially here.

For the first time in more than four decades, Vince McMahon is not the majority owner of WWE. A press release was issued on Tuesday announcing that Endeavor and WWE have completed their deal to create TKO Group Holdings, a merged company with WWE and the UFC. Endeavor holds a controlling interest of 51 percent in the new company, with WWE shareholders holding a 49 percent interest.

WWE and the UFC will continue to operate independently despite now being part of the same company.

"TKO brings together UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, and WWE, an integrated media organization and the recognized global leader in sports entertainment, to create a new premium sports and entertainment company serving more than one billion young and diverse fans, reaching viewers in 180 countries, and producing more than 350 annual live events," the press release said. "Through this combination, TKO will leverage Endeavor’s expertise in areas including domestic and international media rights, ticket sales and yield optimization, event operations, global partnerships, licensing, and premium hospitality to drive revenue growth."

Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel will serve as the CEO of TKO Group Holdings. Vince McMahon, whose title is executive chairman of the company, will run the pro wrestling side of the business. Dana White is the CEO of UFC.

The press release included a statement from McMahon:

"This is the culmination of a decades-long partnership between Endeavor and WWE across strategic initiatives including talent representation and media rights. Given our collaborative, trusted relationship and Endeavor’s incredible track record of success growing UFC, we believe WWE is optimally positioned for future growth and success as part of TKO. Our focus remains on delivering for our fans across the globe as we take the business to the next level alongside UFC and Endeavor."

WWE president Nick Khan also has a seat on TKO's board of directors.

To celebrate the deal becoming official, Emanuel rang the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange this morning. McMahon, White, Khan, Paul "Triple H" Levesque, Bianca Belair, Daniel Cormier, and Kevin Dunn were among those joined Emanuel as he rang the bell.

TKO, WWE, and UFC branding is represented at the stock exchange on Tuesday. TKO is officially listed for trading starting today.

A hype video for the new company included clips of Becky Lynch, Logan Paul, John Cena, Belair, and Jey Uso.

[Raging Justice]

Both WWE and AEW making history this year. In the grand scheme of things, only four companies matter in pro wrestling right now. WWE is on top, though getting stiff competition from AEW. Then you have Japan, whose influence can't be ignored in the form of NJPW. There would be no AEW without NJPW. Then you have the best women's wrestling in the world from Stardom. We've seen WWE grab talents from Stardom in the past, and everyone is waiting for some Stardom talent in AEW. You can't ignore Sasha Banks, and the extra eyes she has brought to Stardom.

[Jagosaurus]

Thanks reprise. That makes sense, kind of lol. Almost like they're using ROH as a feeder & development league? I remember ROH had a lot of local TV deals.

Here in Houston, we get Booker T's Reality of Wrestling on a local. It airs on YouTube also. I'd actually like to visit one day. My kiddos wouldn't care it was a small promotion.

Speaking of regionals... You guys see the trailer for the OVW documentary coming out on Netflix?

[Raging Justice]

WWE really wants people to watch NXT, and I wonder how long it'll be before they try and go head to head with an AEW program again

Thanks reprise. That makes sense, kind of lol. Almost like they're using ROH as a feeder & development league? I remember ROH had a lot of local TV deals.

Here in Houston, we get Booker T's Reality of Wrestling on a local. It airs on YouTube also. I'd actually like to visit one day. My kiddos wouldn't care it was a small promotion.

Speaking of regionals... You guys see the trailer for the OVW documentary coming out on Netflix?

I think Roxanne Perez got her start in Reality of Wrestling, after training with Booker T. Now she seems to be one of the bigger stars in NXT. She's still green in some ways, particularly her promo skills, but she's pretty good in the ring and from what I have heard has impressed people behind the scenes in WWE whenever they had her on a main roster show. She's a pretty good example of the kind of quality talent that can come out of Reality of Wrestling. I've been a fan of hers. Also, she's the first ROH woman's champion, too bad it happened at a time when ROH was on life support. She's technically a part of ROH history though. Speaking of ROH...

I think Tony Kahn bought ROH for no other reason than that he legitimately loves wrestling and didn't want to see it die. I don't think he has ANY plans for it whatsoever. Most people don't even watch it because it's not on TV and I think you have to pay to watch it online. It doesn't really stand out in any way either compared to AEW's other shows and many of the people on ROH just don't have the star power of the people on AEW's roster. However, ROH pay per views usually deliver if you're one of those people who loves what happens in the ring, much like AEW's pay per views. No good story lines or build ups for anything, but great matches. The Briscos and FTR had some real bangers on recent ROH pay per views before Jay Brisco sadly passed away.

[Reprise]

WWE really wants people to watch NXT, and I wonder how long it'll be before they try and go head to head with an AEW program again

This... This just makes no sense to me. It just feels like they desperately want to build NXT up and strengthen it so they can eventually put it head-to-head with AEW and one up them. "Lol even our developmental/third brand can beat their flagship show".

But seriously, what is actually the point of having main roster members showing up on NXT and winning titles?

Granted, I haven't watched NXT since around 2017ish, although I have seen bits and pieces here and there afterwards. Maybe it all makes sense if I actually watch it.

[Raging Justice]

WWE really wants people to watch NXT, and I wonder how long it'll be before they try and go head to head with an AEW program again

This... This just makes no sense to me. It just feels like they desperately want to build NXT up and strengthen it so they can eventually put it head-to-head with AEW and one up them. "Lol even our developmental/third brand can beat their flagship show".

But seriously, what is actually the point of having main roster members showing up on NXT and winning titles?

Granted, I haven't watched NXT since around 2017ish, although I have seen bits and pieces here and there afterwards. Maybe it all makes sense if I actually watch it.

Yeah, it's kind of weird. They've been featuring main roster people for a few weeks now. Dominick Mysterio is the NXT North American champion. That may have just been a way to get everyone in Judgement Day to have a title (plus Damien Priest has the money in the bank briefcase). Judgement Day is basically The Bloodline now, they've even come right out and stated that on TV.

I have heard that WWE wants people to view NXT as a third brand, not some developmental. They've done this in the past as well. They do NOT like the idea of people just seeing NXT as developmental, even though that's exactly what it was at one point in time. There's some good stuff in current NXT to be honest. It's not as awesome as Black and Gold era though, and I don't watch it regularly. In terms of women, NXT arguably has the best division in WWE at the moment. Raw and Smackdown only have a few stand out females and don't do a whole lot with them.

[Raging Justice]

Welp, you can't argue with results

https://www.f4wonline.com/news/nxt/beck ... s-in-years

"Becky Lynch title win draws WWE NXT's best ratings in years"

Tuesday night's WWE NXT averaged 850,000 viewers on the USA Network, up 26.3 percent from last week. It's the seventh-highest audience total in the history of the show and the best viewership since October 28, 2020.

NXT drew a 0.26 rating in the 18-49 demo. That's up 44.4 percent from last week and ties the best rating the show has done in that category since December 18, 2019. It's the sixth-highest rating in the history of the show. Three of the weeks that drew a higher rating were the first three weeks that NXT aired on USA Network.

[Reprise]

Since we were just talking about Ring of Honor, I just read some interesting news that came out. Apparently there were four individuals interested in purchasing the company back when it was in trouble. There was Tony Khan obviously, but in addition there was also Anthem (who owns Impact), Vince McMahon and Cody Rhodes. Tony outbid them all. I wonder what would have happened if Cody had bought the company.