Daily Update: John Cena, Brock Lesnar, TNA & AMC

John Cena with WWE belt

Daily Update

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

–The new issue of the Observer is out.  The lead story on the WBD/Netflix/Paramount situation could end up being in hindsight the most important business story of this year as far as long-term ramifications to the scene.  The second story on the TNA deal with AMC  is also  one of the major stories of the year.
*A look at the Netflix/WBD proposed deal, how iit went down, what it entails, how this affects AEW, the AEW contract situation with WBD and what it entails and how long it is s well as fears in the entertainment industry if this goes through, as well as steps being taken by Paramount to get it blocked.
*TNA signs a new TV deal with AMC, the early schedule, what is and isn’t true about the deal, as well as the power of AMC and how pro wrestling has affected and changed the ratings for all of its television partners with the most updated numbers, which also shows why it  is still valuable programming.
*A complete look at Survivor Series including how people viewed the show, changes that can be made to War Games to make it easier to watch, business notes on the show, overall interest level compared to recent PPV shows, where WWE goes from here, Netflix numbers outside the U.S. and more.
*The history of Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada, the making of their final match, where Shinsuke Nakamura fit in as well as AEW, WWE and CMLL, business notes, history, historical significance and how the story has played out since the start of the year.
*A look at this weekend’s shows and odds
*Les Hudspith aka Ringo Rigby, former U.K. wrestler who led a very interesting life, between judo, being a main eventer quick in the U.K., the political situation in the U.K. that led to his leaving, coming to the dying California promotion and thriving Mexican scene and crazy street brawls.
*The most detailed look at the television ratings from the past week, placings, comparisons and more.
*Coverage of one of the best Arena Mexico shows of the year including Claudio Castagnoi’s title win
*The next major CMLL show, plus lots of big shows around the country
*AAA and WWE combine for a big show with two great bouts, and what this leads to
*End of Stardom tag team tournament
*End of Dragon Gate tournament
*Update on All Japan and New Japan tournaments
*Who has the most five-star matches in 2025
*Real American Freestyle update and apparently business philosophy
*Lots of AEW new shows
*Detailed look at the Continental Classic including a decision to be made this week’
*Bryan Danielson talks injuries, if he can come back, Brie Bella coming back, retiring, traveling and more
*Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows over the net five weeks
*Is AEW really closing the gap on WWE as Tony Khan says, a look at different metrics
*Tom Aspinall update
*What UFC should do and won’t to make the Amanda Nunes vs. Kayle Harrisoni fight better and less risky
*The sad plight of Nick Diaz
*Nick Khan and Laurence Epstein push their version of the Ali Act
*Rumors about Ronda Rousey fighting
*TKO stock value update
*How much has DwayneJohnson earned so far in his less than two years with WWE

This Week’s Back Issue

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Tuesday Update

 WWE

  • John Cena revealed he will sit down with Tom Rinaldi again immediately after his match at Saturday Night’s Main Event: “What an honor to share time and conversation with Tom. The epitome of professionalism with insatiable curiosity and the comfort of speaking to a longtime friend. I promised him immediately after this conversation I would be back post 12/13 for another. Can’t wait for that and hope you enjoy this as much as I did.”
  • Brock Lesnar made an appearance on video during a Zac Brown performance at The Sphere.
  • The Baltimore Banner has an article on people getting priced out of tickets for Cena’s final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
  • Bleacher Report recently compiled a list of John Cena’s greatest matches.
  • Becky Lynch responded to being on the poster for the Royal Rumble: “HUGE WIN!!! Big thanks to my ALL-STAR TEAM (The BEST People) for FIGHTING with management on my behalf.  WE ARE FRONT and CENTER on the Royal Rumble 2026 poster! My team negotiated a full poster featuring JUST ME, however I’m a giver and ASKED to feature some of the up and coming talent. YOU’RE WELCOME!!! – BTB”
  • Lilian Garcia spoke to Sports Illustrated about how she found her fiance. 
  • Recent WWE Vault additions include a compilation of John Cena’s entrance videos, Shawn Michaels vs. Ken Shamrock from In Your House: D-Generation X, a battle royal from the April 27, 1991 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event, and a tag team match from the unaired NXT pilot from December 2011 featuring Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre taking on Daniel Bryan and Sheamus. 

AEW & Other Wrestling

  • AEW uploaded a match between Jon Moxley and Konosuke Takeshita from the December 9, 2022 edition of Rampage.
  • This week’s Sammy Guevara vlog.
  • In a Sports Illustrated interview, TNA President Carlos Silva said AMC was involved in new TV deal talks from the very start: “What’s funny about it is, AMC was involved all along from the very beginning. And what was so interesting is there was so much chatter about all the networks that were interested in working with us, and AMC was always not in the mix until you started asking about it. A few people knew about it, maybe, over the last sort of 30, 60 days. AMC was in the mix the whole way. There was a number of networks in the mix throughout the process. But AMC was there with us the whole way, which was great.”
  • Karl Anderson will make his MLW Battle Riot debut on January 29.
  • Progress has announced Electric Ballroom dates for 2026.
  • Zachary Wentz is returning to GCW for New Year’s Eve at The Mecca.
  • Samuray del Sol has four dates with GCW starting in January.
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Bryan Rose
Bryan Rose

Bryan Rose is an editor from California that has been covering professional wrestling for well over a decade. He officially joined F4WOnline as an editor in 2017.