Daily Update: Ted Turner, Will Ospreay, new WWE production hire

Ted Turner CNN
Ted Turner helped shape American media and is one of the most important figures in wrestling history. (Image credit: CNN)

Daily Update

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • A look at the WWE releases, reasons, prospects for the future, who should AEW or TNA be interested in
  • Nick Khan speaks to WWE employees about Paul Levesque, WrestleMania, social media, Saudi Arabia and AI
  • WWE Backlash and AEW Double or Nothing updates, including interest levels for both shows
  • Stardom All-Star Grand Queendom show looked at
  • How the latest Nielsen ratings change affects pro wrestling and where it affects it the most
  • Dragon Gate has its annual big Nagoya show this week
  • A look at the career of Gran Markus Jr.
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings for pro wrestling and MMA programming this past week
  • The 70th anniversary of pro wrestling at Arena Mexico
  • Who is coming for Fantastica Mania Mexico
  • Big match planned for AAA television
  • Champion Carnival update
  • NOAH major show update
  • New Japan has Dontaku with Andrade and Will Ospreay this week
  • Wrestling Red Zone coverage
  • A look back at the original Tiger Mask and his influence on pro wrestling and MMA
  • Who are the most famous wrestler in the ten largest cities in the world, and top 50 cities in the world
  • Biggest moments in NCAA wrestling tournament history over the past 60 years
  • Former pro wrestling booker heading up a unique promotion
  • Updates on Real American Freestyle
  • More UFC stars coming to RAF
  • Advance ticket sales for all the major pro wrestling events over the next two months and the story that it tells
  • Two relatives of major pro wrestling stars signing with NFL teams
  • Remembeing David Allan Coe, the country singer of Great American Bash fame
  • Jimmy Valiant retires
  • Former WWE star says she’s making a comeback
  • Carlos Silva on why TNA won’t let its talent work with AEW talent and examining what he said
  • AEW May television schedule changes
  • WWE television schedule changes
  • Ronda Rousey wants to be a promoter
  • Puck breaks a notable story on Ari Emanuel and Vince McMahon
  • More on when the next lawsuit against WWE goes to court
  • More notes on TNA expanding domestic exposure
  • More on new WWE signings
  • NXT house show notes

This Week’s Back Issue

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Wednesday Update

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WWE

  • Jim Rodriguez announced that he has joined WWE as a Senior Associate Producer. His past work experience includes production roles for DAZN, Univision, and ESPN. He also has on-air hosting experience and speaks both English and Spanish:
    • Bucket list job! I’ve joined the WWE as a Senior Associate Producer. Gonna be involved with RAW, Smackdown, NXT productions and making trips to Mexico for AAA. Beyond excited.
  • WWE uploaded the full Lola Vice & Mr. Iguana vs. Izzi Dame & Niko Vance mixed tag match from NXT last night.
  • On May 5, WWE filed a trademark for “Naraku,” which is EVIL’s new NXT name.
  • John Cena continued to show support for new NXT addition Mason Rook (Will Kroos) by sending out another tweet after Rook laid out Tony D’Angelo last night.
  • To promote Backlash, Paul Heyman appeared on ESPN’s First Take and Get Up today.
  • WWE’s Pete Dunne will face off against Leon Cage for indie promotion Attack! Pro Wrestling in Cardiff, Wales on June 19.
  • Andscape and ESPN put together a video documenting Lash Legend’s WrestleMania debut.
  • WWE has a pre-Backlash vlog focused on Jacob Fatu.

Other Wrestling

  • The NWA posted a tribute to Ted Turner:
    • The National Wrestling Alliance mourns the passing of Ted Turner.
    • His vision helped shape the landscape of professional wrestling and brought the NWA to a national stage, creating moments that will live forever.
    • Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who were impacted by his legacy.
  • MLW wrote: “RIP Ted Turner. A true American tycoon and media maven.”
  • Matt Hardy tweeted: “RIP Ted Turner. Thank you for your investment into pro wrestling/sports entertainment and giving it a platform to grow & sprawl into pop culture.”
  • Turner Classic Movies posted a tribute to its founder:
    • We say goodbye to our founder, the visionary Ted Turner. Ted’s love of classic films inspired him to create a channel dedicated to preserving them. He considered TCM one of his greatest accomplishments.
    • His passion continues to inspire us all as we work to fulfill his mission.
  • CNN, Entertainment Tonight, Good Morning America, CBS News, and ABC News did segments covering Turner’s death.
  • Eric Bischoff appeared on both The Ariel Helwani Show and Busted Open Radio to share his memories of Turner.
  • In an interview with Forbes, Will Ospreay said he doesn’t feel comfortable doing the Shooting Star Press anymore following his return from neck surgery:
    • It’s mainly my range of motion right now. There are so many things where I just don’t feel comfortable doing certain tricks anymore, so I’ve kind of knocked them on the head. For example, I won’t do a shooting star press anymore because that required me to really put my head back and get a good arch, and I just can’t do it anymore.
  • Ospreay also told Forbes that he would love to see Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods join AEW:
    • I mean, I would love it. I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about them. I loved watching Kofi Kingston win the WWE Championship and seeing what that meant to so many people. I think that’s powerful stuff.
    • I’ve only really spoken with Xavier Woods on Twitter, and I think it’s mostly been about costumes more than anything. He’s messaged me quite a lot about how he loves my jackets.
    • Everybody’s said they’re wonderful human beings, so if the avenues are there, of course I’d love to f****** wrestle them.
  • Leilani Kai shared an update on her Glamour Girls tag team partner Judy Martin after announcing that Martin was in the hospital:
    • I had a chance to speak with Judy [last night] on the phone. She wasn’t feeling well and we don’t have the test back yet to know what’s going on. I wrote her on the phone today and hadn’t heard back. I was getting nervous and the phone rang and it was her. I don’t know how she got ahold of it as she’s still in the hospital but she wanted to let me know she was ok. 
    • She bought me this jacket when my bag was lost flying to NJ. She didn’t want me to be cold and she even bought herself one so we could match. I’ve always been lucky to have my Judy in my corner. 
    • We are still waiting on further test and results. I’ll update you guys. Please keep my best friend in your prayers.
  • TNA put together a three-plus hour video with matches from the entire Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe series.
  • CMLL sent out a statement acknowledging the passing of Guillermina Zarzosa, a superfan who was known as “La Cavernaria.”
    • CMLL deeply mourns the passing of Ms. Guillermina Zarzosa ‘La Cavernaria,’ recognized as one of the most passionate and loyal fans in the history of our institution.
    • We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and loved ones, and wish them strength in coping with this irreparable loss.
    • May she rest in peace.
  • GCW has announced Joey Janela vs. Hook for its Race Against Time event in Cincinnati on June 19.
  • Leah Van Dale (former WWE wrestler Carmella) is launching a new podcast called “Hot Mom Sh!t”:
    • Hot Mom Sh!t is the podcast that lives in the AND — because you can look good and be a good mom. You can love your kids fiercely and still need to be more than just their mom. 
    • Hosted by Leah Van Dale, this is the show for the mom who is done pretending to have it all together, all of the time.
    • Hear the real stories, honest conversations, and the moments Leah probably should have kept to herself but didn’t. This isn’t a show about doing it perfectly.
    • It’s about the raw side of motherhood exactly as it is — hot and messy.
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Joseph Currier
Joseph Currier

Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.

In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.