Daily Update: WWE notes, Mick Foley, Great Muta

Trish Stratus WWE 25th anniversary
Image: WWE

Daily Update

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered in this issue:

  • A detailed look at the WBD/Paramount/Netflix situation, what the latest decision of WBD to Paramount entails, the keys to why this is happening, business notes, how this affects AEW and can it get approved.
  • A look at the UFC and WWE business in 2025 and in the final quarter of this past year. We look at the numbers, what they mean, why WWE was more profitable in 2025 than UFC and the key thing that can change that in 2026, Mark Shapiro talks ESPN value to WWE, lots of news about the business of the White House show, UFC fighters upset over pay, why WWE wrestlers are so underpaid but not publicly upset over, and business initiatives going forward
  • The violence in Mexico and tons of wrestling shows canceled this past week
  • We look in depth at the Janel Grant speech from last week, what we learned, what she said, and where everything stands.
  • Update on the build for WrestleMania, Elimination Chamber, business notes, ticket sales and favorites for the weekend.
  • An updated look at AEW Revolution and business notes
  • The retirement of AJ Styles looked at
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings from the past week, including comparisons with a year ago, competition, demos and much more.
  • Notes from Arena Mexico
  • CMLL attempts to break a North American record next week
  • Cinderalla tournament in Stardom
  • Fantastica Mania notes
  • The life and times of former Olympic wrestler Bobby Douglas, his coaching career, his beating Dan Gable, and two notable pro wrestlers he coached
  • College wrestling sets an attendance mark already this season
  • Who had the most top ten matches of the year over a career according to Cage match.
  • City builds a bust memorializing top 80s star
  • WrestleMania week schedule
  • Former MMA fighter and pro wrestler running for Governor
  • Robbery of the ring truck for an indie group
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE, AEW and TNA shows over the next two months.
  • How many subscribers does Paramount need to make up for UFC expenses
  • More talk on Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano
  • Stand & Deliver moves and why
  • When Roman Reigns and Brock Ldesnar are booked for TV in the Mania build
  • Pro wrestler who is active in Japan competes this weekend for the U.S.national team in anther sport
  • Notes on a newcomer to WWE who started this week
  • More notes on value of Dwayne Johnson’s TKO stock

This Week’s Back Issue

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Thursday Update

Nia Jax & Lash Legend WWE
Image: WWE

WWE

  • During an appearance on the Beyond The Bell podcast, Nia Jax gave a kayfabe response to CM Punk’s promo line from Raw where Punk said he’s going to bury Roman Reigns next to his father Sika:
    • I think small men bark loud. And so in that moment right there, he was probably feeling a little confident. It’s funny because you see him walk away right after he says that line. That doesn’t bother me because I know what my family is physically capable of. We’ve shown it over the last three decades what our family is capable of, the Samoan Dynasty. So that’s fine. He can speak all he wants. But when it comes down to it, the person who’s going to be reigning over Phil will be none other than The OTC.
  • Paul “Triple H” Levesque shared the official poster for Punk and Reigns’ World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 42.
  • Ahead of their upcoming WrestleMania match, Stephanie Vaquer and Liv Morgan both attended a training session at Natalya and TJ Wilson’s Dungeon last night. To keep kayfabe, they did not appear in photos together. Natalya tweeted that the session might have been her favorite ever at the facility: “Maybe the best practice we’ve ever had in The Dungeon. Four hours of sweat equity. So incredibly proud of this group tonight.”
  • Trish Stratus told Wrestlezone that there were plans for her to do more with WWE last year, but her mother passing away changed that. Stratus would like to come back and get closure on her career:
    • The 25th anniversary year was a special year. [WWE and I] worked together to see how we can celebrate it. It turned out really good with the homecoming moment, where I could team up with Tiffy. Being part of Evolution, all women’s pay-per-view, obviously, was amazing. Coming back to the Royal Rumble as 25. So, we kind of like plotted it out.
    • My mom got sick last year, and she passed. So there were plans [for more]. So, I do think there should be a bit of a finale moment. I’m very much about closure. So I feel like that I would need a little bit of closure. And I think maybe you guys need some closure on your Stratusfaction as well. Maybe.
  • Bianca Belair received flowers from Charlie (former WWE wrestler Dakota Kai) as she recovers from finger surgery.
  • The Ghost of Hollywood interviewed Chelsea Green.
  • The Wrestling Classic has an interview with Blake Monroe.
  • Ronnie Singh of 2K Games appeared on this week’s episode of “What’s Your Story?” with Stephanie McMahon.
  • The WCW YouTube channel put together a two and a half hour compilation of Great Muta footage from 1989.
  • Logan Paul uploaded a new vlog with footage from Elimination Chamber.

Other Wrestling

  • AEW produced an eight-minute video with Renee Paquette & RJ City detailing everything that new fans need to know about the promotion:
    • Looking to join in as a fan of All Elite Wrestling, but not quite sure where to start? Do you have a friend who wants to become a fan and you’re trying to help them out? We’re here for you. Here’s everything you need to know about AEW in 8 minutes to get you up to speed, from our most prominent wrestlers to our championships and more.
  • Dustin Rhodes’ dog, a mastiff named Beast, won an award at Crufts Dog Show in the United Kingdom.
  • Mick Foley will be doing an auction at his upcoming comedy shows to raise money for Brian Knobbs, who has been battling health issues for a while and shared last month that he was back in the hospital due to an infection:
    • In our dysfunctional, yet loving extended professional wrestling family, I believe we have to look out for each other, especially when one of us is going through a difficult time. Brian is going through that type of time now and can use a little help from all of us.
    • Knobs is one of those legends in wrestling that other legends talk about. To say he’s an inimitable force would be an understatement. But he’s really hurting now and can use a hand. I’m going to be doing my shirt off my back auction and all five of my upcoming #40YearsOfFoley shows in March – #NewOrleans #Lafayette #ColumbusOH (two shows in Columbus) and #DundeeIL. If you’re at one of these events, please consider placing a bid. For everyone else, please take a look at the GoFundMe site that has been set up for Brian
  • Trey Miguel spoke to Soundsphere magazine about how much TNA means to him:
    • The last time you asked me, what I said was only a percentage of what it means now. TNA has given me the opportunity to change my life. Back then, we hadn’t worked with WWE yet. I grew up watching WWE, so getting to reunite the Rascals, do great matches for four months with my brothers. That was special.
    • And everything I’ve been through recently, the way TNA showed loyalty to me, loyalty I’ve always tried to show them. It feels good to work for people who care about you. We’re all more than wrestlers; we’re humans. Humans go to bed with worries: ‘Is this going to work out? Can I keep doing this?’
    • For a moment, I doubted I’d ever wrestle again. I had announced I was wrapping things up. TNA called and offered me an opportunity not to do that. That showed me that the company I’ve given my best to for seven years feels the same way about me. That deepened the connection I have with TNA.
  • The Great Muta had an MRI after experiencing numbness in his hand, but no abnormalities were found:
    • I had numbness in my right hand, so I got an MRI of my cervical spine, but nothing abnormal showed up. I’m not even a baseball pitcher, but my elbow is deformed and it hurts!! Treatment injections… It’s scary
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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.