Weekend Roundup: WWE NoC 2023, Liv Morgan, Wrestling TV Shows Viewer Age, Claudio Castagnoli NJPW Debut, Indies

AEW

Indie / Misc

Steve C.

May 28, 2023

WWE

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that WWE’s roster that had traveled and worked in Saudi Arabia for Saturday’s Night of Champions 2023 all returned to the United States earlier today. Johnson reported that their flight had been delayed by three hours and took off from Saudi Arabia at around 3AM local time. RAW brand talent reportedly were then flown up to Albany, New York after they had landed for this Monday’s RAW show in the city while SmackDown brand talent traveled back to their homes.
WWE held a press conference this past Friday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for their Night of Champions 2023 event that featured Cody Rhodes among the speakers. During his entrance for the press conference, the local crowd gave Rhodes a huge reaction. Rhodes’ wife Brandi recently responded on Twitter to the loud reaction Cody got and also threw shade at those who had criticized Cody and his booking in WWE since leaving AEW. Brandi stated “And some people still say he should have stayed where he was…maybe we should let that one go for now.“
Fightful Select reported that their sources stated several of WWE’s Creative team had traveled with the rest of those from the company to Saudi Arabia for Saturday’s Night of Champions 2023 event.
WWE’s Night of Champions 2023 event on Saturday featured Zoey Stark making a surprise appearance from under the ring during the Trish Stratus vs. Becky Lynch match to cost Lynch the match. Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that WWE officials had set a monitor under the ring so that Stark could watch the match until it was time for her planned involvement in the match.
In regards to Becky Lynch suffering a bloody nose during her match against Trish Stratus at Night of Champions 2023, PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that Lynch did not suffer a broken nose injury.
As noted before, rumors of WWE officials being hesitant on having Seth Rollins win the newly created WWE World Heavyweight title due to his recent filming commitments were recently debunked. Fightful Select reported that following Rollins title victory at Night of Champions, the same high level WWE official spoken to earlier in the week had sent them a message stating “see? No concerns about Rollins’ schedule.“
As noted before, Liv Morgan has been out of action for WWE since suffering a potential torn rotator cuff injury earlier this month. Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that WWE officials currently are expecting Morgan to “at least be sidelined through the summer.” It was reported that no other details regarding the status of Morgan’s injury is currently known.
In regards to Morgan’s currently scheduled filming commitments for a new film based on Mildred Burke, Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that it is currently not known if Morgan’s recent injury will affect her status and plans for the production of the upcoming Mildred Burke film. Meltzer reported that his sources stated that WWE officials currently feel that Morgan might eventually need to undergo surgery to repair her injury. Meltzer also reported that prior to her injury and relinquishing of the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles, WWE officials still had plans for Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler to be the ones to dethrone Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez.
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Trinity, former Naomi in WWE, gave her thoughts about her career in WWE and how she had originally believed that she would have ended her career in the company prior to her departure. Trinity stated “I had a great journey in WWE. That was my introduction to wrestling, and it was a great 14 years with the company. I thought I would retire with WWE. Never would I have thought I’d be with another company, but that’s the world of wrestling. As scary as it was, I’m here. I’m looking forward to the opportunities and the chance for growth.“
WWE reportedly generated an attendance of 10,355 (8,800 paid) for their May 19th SmackDown show in Columbia, SC, 5,439 for their May 20th house show event in Fayetteville, NC, 5,801 for their May 21st house show event in Hampton, VA, and 8,920 (8,100 paid) for their May 22nd RAW show in Hershey, PA, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
WWE reportedly has sold around 6,147 tickets for their May 29th RAW show in Albany, NY, 8,800 tickets for their June 2nd SmackDown show in Wilkes-Barre, PA, 3,338 tickets for their June 3rd house show event in White Plains, NY, 3,686 tickets for their June 4th house show event in Manchester, NH, 6,344 tickets for their June 5th RAW show in Hartford, CT, 4,886 tickets for their June 9th SmackDown show in Des Moines, IA, 4,267 tickets for their June 12th RAW show in Wichita, KS, 6,612 tickets for their June 16th SmackDown show in Lexington, KY, 2,986 tickets for their June 17th house show event in Cincinnati, OH, 2,712 tickets for their June 18th house show event in Charleston, WV, 7,246 tickets for their June 19th RAW show in Cleveland, OH, 5,498 tickets for their June 23rd SmackDown show in Lafayette, LA, 1,941 tickets for their June 24th house show event in Monroe, LA, 2,751 tickets for their June 25th house show event in Mobile, AL, 4,986 tickets for their June 26th RAW show in Savannah, GA, 6,423 tickets for their June 29th house show event in Sheffield, England, 17,633 tickets for their June 30th SmackDown show in London, England, 6,474 tickets for their June 30th house show event in Newcastle, England, 17,680 tickets for their July 1st Money in the Bank 2023 event in London, England, 4,800 tickets for their July 2nd house show event in Cardiff, Wales, 9,654 tickets for their July 7th SmackDown show at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY, 5,760 tickets for their July 10th RAW show in Buffalo, NY, 6,814 tickets for their July 14th SmackDown show in Raleigh, NC, 3,475 tickets for their July 15th house show event in Fairfax, VA, 2,128 tickets for their July 16th house show event in Salisbury, MD, 7,457 tickets for their July 17th RAW show in Atlanta, GA, 7,053 tickets for their July 21st SmackDown show in Orlando, FL, 6,256 tickets for their July 24th RAW show in Tampa, FL, 3,828 tickets for their July 28th SmackDown show in New Orleans, LA, 2,959 tickets for their Aug. 4th in Dayton, OH, 40,145 tickets for their Aug. 5th SummerSlam 2023 event in Detroit, MI, 5,619 tickets for their July 7th RAW show in Minneapolis, MN, 7,333 tickets for their Aug. 11th SmackDown show in Calgary, Canada, 6,810 tickets for their Aug. 14th RAW show in Winnipeg, Canada, 12,247 tickets for their Aug. 18th SmackDown show in Toronto, Canada, 9,148 tickets for their Aug. 21st RAW show in Quebec City, Canada, and 4,586 tickets for their Aug. 25th SmackDown show in Louisville, KY as of this past Thursday, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston reported that the top merchandise seller for WWE for this past week was Roman Reigns and his new “Life’s Not Fair” shirt. Rhea Ripley and her “She’s My Mami” shirt reportedly was the second highest merchandise seller for WWE.
Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston reported that WWE’s median age viewer for their shows over the past year for RAW on USA Network had declined from 55 years old to now 52 years old, SmackDown on FOX had declined from 56 years old to now 55 years old, and NXT on USA Network had declined from 60 years old to now 57 years old.
Fightful Select reported that several former members of legendary wrestling stable nWo spoken to have been frustrated over Fantastics and WWE’s newly released nWo shirt due to the inclusion of a WWE logo as part of its design. Those spoken to reportedly stated that they are the most upset over the WWE logo being underneath the nWo logo since they felt it undermined the spirit of the group and shirt. It was reported that Fanatics, who handles all of WWE’s merchandise, is currently aware of those frustrations by several former nWo members. One WWE talent spoken to stated that several talents have also been frustrated over WWE’s decisions for their shirt merchandise, specifically in regards to wanting many shirts to have text on the back of them that talents feel have been negatively hurting their merchandise sales.

AEW & ROH

Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston reported that AEW’s median age viewer for their shows over the past year for Dynamite on TBS had increased from 49 years old to now 50 years old and Rampage on TNT has increased from 47 years old to now 53 years old.
In a recent interview with The Ten Count podcast, Nigel McGuinness gave his thoughts about if there is a possibility he could wrestle at AEW’s upcoming All In event at Wembley Stadium in London, England, McGuinness stated “It’s a big question, isn’t it Steve? I mean, I’d be crazy to turn down that sort of an opportunity. But to be honest with you, I’m far more better used I would say in a commentary role at the moment. I don’t want to injure myself. I don’t want to kill myself. But if there was going to be the possibility of me wrestling again, like you said, you couldn’t possibly write a better ending to my in-ring career.” (Transcript h/t: WrestlingNews.co)
In a recent interview with the Barstool Rasslin’ podcast, Adam Cole gave his thoughts on if he would ever retire from wrestling on his own accord. Cole stated “No. I was afraid that I was going to be told that I couldn’t come back, for sure. That existed for months. But there was never a small part of me that went, ‘Okay, I think I’m gonna hang it up.’ I was so focused and determined on trying to come back because again, this is my entire life, since I was nine years old, this is all I ever wanted to do. The toughest thing was having doctors look at you with this discouraged [look because they didn’t know how it was going to go.] I talked about it on the show, but Britt was incredibly helpful, my family was incredibly helpful. I tried to keep as much of an optimistic attitude as I could, but it was a tough road. Long winded way of saying no, I was so focused on trying to come back. Yes. I was going to have to be told, ‘Listen, you can’t do this. You’re risking a huge portion of your quality of life or you can’t get back in the ring, it’s too dangerous.’ If I was told that, that would be a different pill to swallow as it came, but no way I was going to go ‘Eh, I think I’m gonna stop.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)
AEW reportedly generated an attendance of 4,500 (3,800 paid) for their May 24th Dynamite show in Las Vegas, NV, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
AEW reportedly has sold around 10,109 (around 8,000 paid) for their May 28th Double or Nothing 2023 event in Las Vegas, NV, 3,878 tickets for their May 31st Dynamite show in San Diego, CA, 1,282 tickets for their June 2nd House Rules house show event in Tupelo, MS, 1,722 tickets for their June 3rd House Rules house show event in Huntsville, AL, 1,980 tickets for their June 7th Dynamite show in Colorado Springs, CO, 2,980 tickets for their June 14th Dynamite show in Washington, DC, 4,629 tickets for their June 21st Dynamite show in Chicago, IL, 1,683 tickets for their June 24th Collision show in Toronto, 12,904 tickets for their June 25th Forbidden Door II event in Toronto, Canada, 3,374 tickets for their June 28th Dynamite show in Hamilton, 646 tickets for their July 1st Collision show in Hamilton, Canada, 4,922 tickets for their July 5th Dynamite show in Edmonton, Canada, 1,305 tickets for their July 8th Collision show in Regina, Canada, 2,321 tickets for their July 12th Dynamite show in Saskatoon, Canada, 3,327 tickets for their July 15th Collision show in Calgary, Canada, 3,610 tickets for their July 19th Dynamite show at the TD Garden in Boston, MA, and 3,731 tickets for their July 22nd Collision show in Newark, NJ as of this past Thursday, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
In regards to AEW’s Collision debut show on June 17th at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that AEW had sold around 4,234 tickets for the pre-sale this past Thursday. In regards to the public sale, WrestleTix reported that AEW had distributed around 6,526 for their debut Collision show as of this past Friday.
Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that AEW held a very lengthy set of tapings for Dynamite and Rampage and also for Ring of Honor’s ROH TV this past Wednesday in Las Vegas, Nevada. Meltzer reported that tapings went from 4PM to 9:45PM local time and many of those in attendance had left after Dynamite’s show had ended.
As noted before, AEW CEO Tony Khan held a media call this past Thursday to promote tonight’s Double or Nothing 2023 event in Las Vegas, Nevada. One of the topics discussed included Khan providing an update on AEW’s creative team stating that it currently consists of himself as the head booker, QT Marshall, Sonjay Dutt, Dean Malenko, Jerry Lynn, Will Washington, Madison Rayne, Sarah Stock, B.J. Whitmer, Bryan Danielson, Pat Buck, and Christopher Daniels.
Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that despite Thunder Rosa making her return to the company earlier this month, AEW officials currently still do not have a timetable for Rosa’s in-ring return from her back and spinal-related injury. Melzter reported that it is also currently not known if Rosa will be undergoing surgery, which would push back any timetable for her in-ring return by months.
Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston reported that the Top merchandise seller for AEW for this past week on Pro Wrestling Tees was CM Punk and his “Best in the World” shirt. Thurston reported that Punk was #2 for top seller on AEW’s online AEWShop, only behind AEW and its replica AEW World title.
As noted before, AEW announced this past Wednesday that they had recently signed Aussie Open to official contracts with the company. In a recent interview with Dark Puroresu Flowsion, Will Ospreay gave his thoughts on his fellow United Empire stable mates recent signing with AEW has persuaded him to do the same in the future.. Ospreay stated “They know my situation [and] I gotta do what’s best for me, but whether nothing changes or everything changes. If they ever needed me, my door will always open to them.”
In a recent interview with The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani show, WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan gave his thoughts on if he watches AEW. Hogan stated “Yeah, I record everything, brother. I mean, I’m a wrestling fan, come on! I record everything. And I’ll sit back and I’ll fast forward through some stuff, and watch stuff I wanna watch. Or if a match is the s**ts and I can see it going over, I’ll blow right by it. But yeah, I mean, they’ve got a lot of talent over there. A lot of good guys.” Hogan also gave his thoughts on if he believes AEW could ever overtake WWE in the future. Hogan stated “You know, I was talking to somebody and I equated it to NASCAR drivers. You know, that you need seat time. You need to spend time in that seat until you start winning championships. It’s almost like AEW is on track, you know? They’re kind of like the Little Engine That Could and they’re on track. I just think they need more seat time. They just need just to be around a little longer to be really, really, really competitive where they could go head-to-head on Monday nights or something like that. But you know, they’re moving forward quite quickly. They’re doing a great job over there.” (Transcript h/t: EWrestlingNews.com)

Indies & Misc. Wrestling

Impact Wrestling’s median age viewer for their Impact! shows on AXS TV over the past year reportedly had increased from 60 years old to now 63 years old, according to Wrestlenomics.
Wrestlenomics Brandon Thurston reported that Impact averaged around 117,000 viewers per show for this past April and was the highest average viewership per show for a month since May of 2022. This past April’s average key demographic viewership per show reportedly was also the highest for a month since July of 2022. In regards to this May, Thurston reported that Impact averaged 112,000 viewers per show for the month and was also the second highest for a month since June of 2022 and their key demographic viewership average was the highest since October of 2022.
New Japan Pro Wrestling’s median age viewer for their NJPW on AXS TV shows on AXS TV over the past year reportedly had increased from 61 years old to now 64 years old, according to Wrestlenomics.
Sunday’s Best of the Super Juniors 2023 Finals event for NJPW in Tokyo, Japan featured Master Wato defeating Titan in the Finals of this year’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament to be crowned this year’s winner. This was Master Wato’s first ever BotSJ tournament victory. Following the match, Master Wato challenged Hiromu Takahashi for his IWGP Jr. Heavyweight title at next Sunday’s Dominion 2023 event.
Sunday’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 2023 Finals event also featured Shota Umino revealing that AEW’s Claudio Castagnoli will be the third man for his and Jon Moxley’s team against Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tahahashi, & Tomohiro Ishii for the IWGP NEVER 6-Man Tag titles match at next week’s Dominion 2023 event.
NJPW reportedly generated an attendance of slightly over 3,000 (2,903 paid) for their May 21st Resurgence 2023 event in Long Beach, California, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. In regards to the boost provided by Mercedes Mone, Dave Meltzer reported that NJPW had only sold around 1,200 tickets prior to them announcing Mone would be appearing at their show.
NJPW also reportedly generated a paid attendance of 1,196 for their May 19th Best of the Super Juniors 2023 event in Aomori, 1,436 for their May 21st Best of the Super Juniors 2023 event in Tokyo, 831 for their May 23rd Best of the Super Juniors 2023 event in Osaka, and 819 for their May 24th Best of the Super Juniors 2023 event in Osaka, Japan, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Women of Wrestling’s median age viewer for their WOW TV shows on syndication over the past year reportedly is around 61 years old, according to Wrestlenomics.
In a recent episode of the Konnan & Disco’s Keepin’ it 100 podcast, Konnan provided an update regarding the new masked female wrestler that will be debuting soon in Lucha Libre AAA is from Torreon, Mexico. Konnan also stated that if Bandido ends up working for Crash at their June 2nd event, that would confirm that his time working for AAA is over. (Transcript h/t: TheCubsFan.com)
As noted before, Pagano had been out of action for AAA since this past Februrary due to an unknown injury. Pagano made his return from injury at AAA’s television tapings on May 25th in Chihuahua, Mexico. Pagano gave a promo to the crowd sporting a new look with a beard and a black & white suit and hat.
Stardom reportedly generated a paid attendance of 432 for their May 19th event in Fukushima, 477 for their May 20th event in Sanjo, and 652 for their May 21st in Toyama, Japan, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Saturday’s Flashing Champions 2023 event for Stardom in Tokyo, Japan featured Tam Nakano defeating Mina Shirakawa in a champion vs. champion double title match for the World of Stardom Championship & Wonder of Stardom Championship. Nakano successful retained her World of Stardom Championship and was crowned the new Wonder of Stardom Champion.
Pro Wrestling NOAH reportedly generated a paid attendance of 891 for their May 21st Sunny Voyage 2023 event in Kobe, Japan.
Kyoko Kimura reportedly generated a paid attendance of 687 for her May 23rd Hana Kimura Memorial – Pinx event in Tokyo, Japan, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
DDT Pro Wrestling reportedly generated a paid attendance of 677 for their May 21st King of DDT 2023 Final event in Tokyo, Japan.
Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling announced a new match for the card of their Summer Princess 2023 event on July 8th in Tokyo, Japan. This is a singles match at Yuka Sakazaki vs. Nyla Rose.
Prestige Wrestling announced that BREEZE, former Tyler Breeze in WWE, will be making an appearance for the company at their Roseland 6 event on September 1st in Portland, Oregon.
Legendary British wrestling promoter Brian Dixon passed away on Sunday. Dixon’s passing was first announced by All Star Wrestling, which Dixon was the founder and owner. All-Star Wrestling is the oldest wrestling promotion currently in existence in the United Kingdom and under Dixon’s time with the company, many notable wrestlers in North America and the United Kingdom had worked for his promotion.