Daily Update: WWE auctions, Candice Michelle, Luca Crusifino

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Official WWE logo. (Image credit: WWE)

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • Preview and business notes on AEW Revolution
  • Updates on WrestleMania, how we got to Rhodes vs. Orton and feuds that are starting
  • A look at the UFC White House show and how we got here
  • Full UFC 326 coverage including the most viewers of a TV UFC show since Paige Van Zant vs. Michelle Waterson
  • A look at the new AEW streaming service
  • NXT Vengeance Day coverage and poll results
  • Odds on upcoming pro wrestling matches
  • Logan Paul’s grandstand challenge to football players gets several takers, including some big names, but nothing can transpire and how it ended
  • Full coverage of the 16 Carat Gold tournament in German featuring many of the best independent wrestlers in the world
  • A complete look at the TV ratings from all the pro wrestling shows over the past week, including breakdowns in various categories, placings, how Raw did on Netflix, competition and more
  • CMLL’s lineup for its No. 2 show of the year next week
  • Full rundown of the CMLL all women’s show onFriday
  • Konnan news
  • Behnid the Nino Hamburguesa firing
  • Rey de Reyes notes
  • Stardom Cinderella tournament news
  • New Japan Cup and anniversary show news
  • Pro wrestler and MMA star looks back at a fixed fight and more comments including the Japanese attempt to get a major WWE star to job in an MMA match to theri guy
  • Notes on a new promotion debuting
  • Attendance updates for future WWE, AEW, TNA and other shows including Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.
  • Giant weekend in Europe including the two big Eve shows and the controversy
  • TNA future direction
  • Notes from the Tony Khan media call
  • Putting recent Collision numbers into perspective
  • How Zuffa boxing’s biggest show did
  • Rousey vs. Carano and Rousey’s promotional tactics as well as responses from other fighters
  • Lots of new UFC fights
  • Jake Paul’s women’s boxing group makes ESPN deal
  • Changes to the WWE writing team
  • ESPN reporting side does exactly what they said they wouldn’t do regarding pro wrestling
  • More vacant WWE titles

This Week’s Back Issue

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Thursday Update

American Gladiators logo
Logo for Amazon’s “American Gladiators” revival.

WWE

  • Sports Business Journal reports that WWE is revamping its online auction platform and will be offering more event-used items:
    • WWE is revitalizing its auction platform with event-used products, starting by auctioning off a Stone Cold Steve Austin event-worn knee brace from WrestleMania 38 — the site of his final match. That piece sold for $58,000. The new auction platform will give fans access to purchase historically relevant and impactful products. WWE plans to auction more exclusive content during WrestleMania 42 weekend, set for April 16-20 in Las Vegas. More unique products will be announced at a later date.
  • In an Instagram post, The Miz wrote about how honored he is to be the host of Amazon’s American Gladiators revival:
    • If you grew up in the 80s and 90s like I did… you watched American Gladiators.
    • As a kid, there was nothing bigger than WWE and American Gladiators. The Superstars and the Gladiators were larger than life.
    • So to not only be a @wwe Superstar for the past 20 years… but to now be the host of this reboot… I’m incredibly proud and honored.
    • And let me tell you, this was a true team effort.
    • From the absolute powerhouse Gladiators… to the contenders with stories you’ll fall in love with…to @crose127 on commentary bringing the perfect mix of professionalism and humor…and @rocsidiaz absolutely knocking it out of the park.
    • Everyone brought their best to honor what you remember… and take it to a whole new level.
    • It’s a privilege to be part of it.
    • American Gladiators premieres April 17th on @primevideo.
    • Trust me… this is most must-see.
  • One week after his new persona was unveiled in a vignette, Luca Crusifino, a former member of the D’Angelo Family in NXT, was interviewed on WWE Evolve this week. Crusifino called himself the life of the party and said his rave-inspired character is all about PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect).
  • WWE Vault uploaded a full house show that took place at the Boston Garden on March 8, 1986. It featured Hulk Hogan & Junkyard Dog facing off against Terry Funk & Dory Funk Jr.

Other Wrestling

  • Tommaso Ciampa shared footage of his daughter Willow performing his entrance before AEW Dynamite last night:
    • Willow has been asking for weeks if she could perform my entrance… well, last night the crew went above and beyond to make her wish come true.
    • And she CRUSHED it!
    • Not only did the kid have no fear at all, but she even came up with an entire ‘dance routine’ to go along with each beat. The air guitar was my personal favorite.
    • After filming her full rehearsal with music and lights (no fire)… I was able to bring Willow into the truck to see how everything works behind the scenes. And they even surprised her once again by placing her name on the lower third graphic.
    • When I say, I found my wrestling home, I’m 100% sincere. I love this family.
    • I may have peaked, guys. Hard to top this.
  • FTR filed a trademark for their logo on March 18.
  • Zayda Steel was the guest on AEW Unrestricted this week.
  • Ricochet’s wife Samantha Johnson (Samantha Irvin) shared more of the death threats she’s gotten in the wake of his social media controversy.
  • On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Candice Michelle said she hopes her new backstage role as an agent in TNA leads to her making an in-ring comeback for the company as well:
    • Being called to TNA as an agent, I think was a hope spot for me. And it brings me longevity. And when I can get in there and help these men and women win their dreams and their championships, that lasts a lifetime for me. And I always believe, like, when I teach my kids something, I don’t ever tell them to do something I’m not willing to do. And so if I get to have the opportunity to start over again and have a comeback, it will be one hell of a comeback.
  • Zack Sabre Jr. will compete at Effy’s Big Gay Brunch in Las Vegas on April 18.
  • Persephone has been announced for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling’s event in Vegas on April 17.
  • Busted Open Radio interviewed Killer Kross.
  • WRESTHINGS has an interview with Cedric Alexander.
  • Former WWE wrestler Michael Tarver appeared on the F’Yall Podcast.
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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.