Daily Update: Wesley Blake, AEW notes, Gable Steveson
Daily Update
Latest News
- WWE SmackDown TV ratings for SummerSlam go-home show
- Chelsea Green describes Michael Hayes’ reaction to WWE SummerSlam title win dedication
- Bret Hart segment to air on MLP Mayhem
- CM Punk explains why he still studies older wrestling
- Sheamus launching new YouTube series following WWE exit
- NJPW, Ric Flair, more pay tribute to Dory Funk Jr.
- Dark Side of the Ring episode review: ‘The Ultimate Fantasy: The Fall of Renegade’
- Brie Bella shares injury update, says WWE SummerSlam match was almost called off
- WWE holding tournament to decide Roman Reigns’ Mexico City challenger
Latest Audio
- WOL: Grand Slam Mexico vs. Roman announcement, NXT TV review, more!
- DragonKingKarl: History of the NWA World Heavyweight Title pt. 2 – The Territorial Years
- B&V: In Your House 6 with Michaels vs. Owen, plus Granny~!
- BVV: Jason Hotch’s breakthrough moment on TNA Impact plus AAA recap
Latest YouTube Video
This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter
FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH
Wednesday Update
WWE
- WWE uploaded the full Kendal Grey vs. Lola Vice NXT Women’s Championship Underground match from last night.
- During an appearance on Cheap Heat, Joe Hendry addressed the negative reaction that his concert segment with Danhausen, Judgment Day, and boxer Ryan Garcia received:
- My thoughts were this — and I’ll just be completely upfront and honest about this. We are all extremely passionate about what we do, and just to give you an idea here, when I signed with WWE, I made the decision that I was going to move to Orlando. I was going to not only commit 100 percent to NXT but I was gonna move to Orlando, I was gonna go to the classes, I was gonna absorb as much knowledge as I could. I said, ‘Put me on all the local shows.’ I wanted to work all the shows that they do to contribute, to learn and to be a part of the system and that is the attitude I’ve taken to WWE.
- And the reason I bring that up is because us as performers and everybody that works at the company, we are so passionate about (it), and the goal is and always has been, for me, to give the audience value. There’s been times when I’ve been on the indies and I’ve made a music video making fun of my opponent. I remember there’s one in Germany and there was like 300 people and I’m like, ‘Man, I hope this joke lands’ and I’m behind the curtain like, ‘Come on!’ You want it to land and it’s the best feeling in the world when you give the audience that moment, that laugh, and so I’ll say this: We give absolutely everything that we’ve got. I give my absolute best efforts and we’re gonna try a lot of things, and some things are gonna land and some things won’t but we will always give our best efforts.
- Westin Blake (the former Wesley Blake), who now works behind the scenes in NXT, worked a dark match at last night’s NXT event.
- Blake then posted a tribute to Dory Funk Jr. today:
- It’s taken me a while to process what to say about an absolute Legend, in and out of the ring, Dory Funk Jr was. I will cherish all talks, dinners, film study, and guidance we had together. I always be in-debt to you and your family for everything that you have done.
- Dory was a wrestling legend and Hall of Famer. No doubt, he will be an even greater Angel in Heaven. My heart goes out to Marti and the whole Funk family! I love you and I will continue my best to continue your legacy
- WWE Vault uploaded a video on Dory Funk Jr.’s NWA World Heavyweight Championship win from 1969.
- WWE has a behind-the-scenes video on The Usos & Jacob Fatu’s entrance from SummerSlam.
- The company shared a new vlog from its SummerSlam week tryout.
Other Wrestling
- Adam Copeland posted ahead of competing at AEW Grand Slam Mexico tonight:
- Tonight I get to perform for the first time in The Wrestling Cathedral. Arena Mexico. The last time I had a match in Mexico was 2008. Mexico we got some catching up to do! I love Lucha Libre. Everything about it. The masks, the mystique, the pageantry. Can’t wait to get out there. See ya soon Mexico, bring your voices.
- While in Mexico, Aubrey Edwards and Thunder Rosa spoke at the US Embassy in Mexico City:
- Muchísimas gracias to the US Embassy for having my friend Mel Cervantes and I come by yesterday and speak about Lucha Libre, and being women in a traditionally male sport. It was such an incredible experience, and I am grateful for Consejo Mundial Lucha Libre for giving me the opportunity to share my story, including my journey in México.
- Willow Nightingale attended the premiere for Apple TV’s new season of “Ted Lasso” and took pictures with stars Jason Sudeikis, Juno Temple, and Brendan Hunt.
- Fightful Overbook asked Samoa Joe about his status for AEW All In: “Time will tell. We’ll see. We’re close to the end of production out here for ‘Twisted Metal.’ We’ll see how the dice rolls.”
- Mick Foley and Tony Schiavone did the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in support of Rebel.
- NJPW is introducing the TAMASHII Openweight title, which is the first singles championship for the promotion’s TAMASHII brand that is based in New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific.
- AJPW wrestler Atsuki Aoyagi has suffered an ACL injury, which will require him and Rising HAYATO to vacate the All Asia Tag Team titles.
- Former WWE wrestler Gable Steveson will have his second UFC fight at UFC 331 in Los Angeles on September 19 against Sean Sharaf.
- Reel Appreciation interviewed Mustafa Ali.
- Allie & Rosemary appeared on the Battleground Podcast.
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.