Daily Update: WWE notes, Paul Wight, Marigold

Mayu Iwatani
Mayu Iwatani competes at NJPW event. (Image credit: JJ Williams)

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • The lawsuit that changed the entire framework of WWE is about to end quietly
  • Previewing all the major shows between now and the end of August, as well a WWE running competition to AEW more frequently.
  • Update on Paramount/Skydance being blocked from taking over WBD
  • A look at how WWE PLE events have drawn on Netflix so far this year and compared to last year, as well as how Smackdown and NXT weekly have done.
  • Coverage of Saturday Night’s Main Event from Madison Square Garden
  • How Conor Mcgregor vs. Max Holloway did in viewership compared to Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria at the White House and Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.
  • What I learned going to Mexico City, going to Arena Mexico and Arena Coliseo, what’s it like and reviewing the shows.
  • G-1 Climax update
  • The life and times of Siva Afi
  • Dragon Gate’s biggest show of the year
  • The complete ratings rundown for every show over the past wek, as well as demos, competition and trends
  • Lots of big shows coming up the next few weeks in Mexico City
  • AAA and its new merch dealk
  • Big AAA show this weekend with Verano de Escandao
  • Wrestler has a match of the year candidate and days later announces retirement
  • Coverage of Stardom big show and Grand Prix
  • Takaaki Kidani talks why he sold New Japan when he did
  • Thoughts on ESPN releasing Andreas Hale
  • Death of Rizado Ruiz
  • Lots of big European shows coming
  • Thoughts on many things Tony Khan talked about this past week
  • AEW average ticket sales for the first six months of 2026
  • How many people watch AEW each week/
  • Mistico’s career goal
  • Tom Aspinall talks eye surgery
  • New VICE series comes in September
  • WWE Unreal
  • The difference in heel turns of Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin and John Cena
  • Stock analysts look at WWE creative
  • WWE channel on XM
  • Thoughts on Bayley
  • Dave Bautista talks his career and pst-career
  • Lots of names getting tryouts next week

This Week’s Back Issue

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Thursday Update

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WWE

  • On Busted Open Radio, Paul “Triple H” Levesque said he wishes WWE viewers could sometimes funnel their passion into the in-storyline product instead of the process behind the scenes:
    • It’s that passion. Just like the NFL or NBA or Major League Baseball, people sit on their couch and yell, ‘I’m done. I’m never watching the Knicks again. They suck.’ And then they win and now they’re the greatest thing ever and people are turning out in droves. It’s amazing, it’s passion. At the end of the day, it’s why we do what we do.
    • I wish sometimes we could put that passion into the talent now, as opposed to – it’s like when somebody gets heat in our business, it’s like, ‘God, why would they write that that way?’ As opposed to like, ‘That no good piece of crap did this.’ I wish people could buy into sometimes. Like, there’s something to saying that innocence of not knowing and it still being ‘real to me, damnit.’ But it is what it is. But I love that. I love the hate, I love the love, it’s all passion for what we do.
  • WWE uploaded segments with CM Punk and Seth Rollins that will air on the SummerSlam Countdown show.
  • The company also has a Chad Gable SummerSlam week vlog.
  • Punk and Liv Morgan made appearances on ESPN today.
  • Nick Aldis told Insight with Chris Van Vliet that he’s solely focused on SummerSlam rather than worrying about what his WWE in-ring future might look like:
    • I have to just concentrate on what’s in front of me. I have to deliver at SummerSlam. As far as I’m concerned, I am treating this as one match. I have no expectations. I had none coming in. I have none coming out. I just have to deliver, and trust my boss that whatever comes next is the right thing to do.
  • Jim Ross had huge praise for new WWE NXT addition Cruz Montana (Mike Santana) on his Grilling JR podcast:
    • Oh, I like him a lot. I think they made a good hire. He’s a good guy. Fundamentally sound as hell. But the thing he has, which you can’t measure, is passion. He’s got a lot of passion. He’s self-motivated. He’s living his dream. And I love to see guys that could at least get the attempt to live their dream. He’s a good hand. Depending on how he’s booked and what kind of creative he’s saddled with, he’s got a chance to really be special. His heritage is a positive. He’s physical. He’s a good athlete.
    • I spent a lot of time with him when he was in AEW before I started getting sick every f***ing week or two. So I really wish him well. He’s a good guy and he deserves success. He’s certainly paid the price. And he’s just a good dude, man. He’s one of those kind of guys you hope good things happen for.
  • John Cena acknowledged Grayson Waller after his worked-shoot promo on NXT this week: “Effort + Authenticity = Respect. It appears @GraysonWWE has found his WHY. Eager to see what he does. @WWENXT”
  • Royce Keys was a guest on No-Contest Wrestling.
  • Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, IYO SKY, Maxxine Dupri, Kiana James, and Sol Ruca took part in a culinary challenge for Epicurious.
  • The Female Quotient interviewed Becky Lynch.
  • WCW’s YouTube channel put together a video of every Booker T World Championship win from the promotion.
  • WWE Vault uploaded the full WWE 24 episode focused on Trish Stratus and her match against Charlotte Flair from SummerSlam 2019.

Other Wrestling

  • Paul Wight gave an update on his weight loss:
    • Currently 360lbs. Lowest I’ve been since before WCW. Pretty damn happy with my progress and more importantly consistency. Today is better than yesterday. #gym #motivation #giantabs
  • 101 WRIF Radio in Detroit interviewed Rhino.
  • Marigold asked fans to keep ring announcer Oki Okita in their thoughts as he battles stage four colon cancer:
    • Please keep thoughts and prayers with Marigold ring announcer Oki Okita, who has been diagnosed with Stage4 Colon Cancer. He began his career with All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling, and has been with Arsion, Zero-One and more. We’re cheering for your return Oki-san!!
  • While announcing the organization structure for its third year, Marigold noted that Mayu Iwatani will be a player-coach for the promotion, competing in the ring and working behind the scenes.
  • Iwatani, who’s been out of action with a foot injury, will make her in-ring return for Marigold on August 9.
  • TNA Wrestling announced a partnership with new combat sports/amateur wrestling venture :30 Second Takedown, which will air a 32-participant tournament on TNA+ in October:
    • The rules for :30 Second Takedown are simple: A deck of cards is shuffled, then two cards are pulled, revealing two names. Those two athletes step on the mat and have 30 seconds to take down their opponent and establish control. The winner advances. The loser goes home.
    •  With no time to pace themselves, no opportunity to strategize for the long game, and no way to predict who they’ll face, every match is a burst of pure adrenaline. The result is a relentless succession of explosive takedowns and edge-of-your-seat moments that will keep fans engaged from the opening match to the final showdown.
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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.