Daily Update: Braun Strowman suffering from knee infection, NXT, Akira Tozawa
Daily Update
Latest News
- Kenny Omega singles match added to AEW Dynamite
- For subscribers: Dave Meltzer on what Triller’s numbers explain about AEW international revenue
- New Triller financial reports reveal AEW’s impact to their business
- Doc Gallows praises AJ Styles as ‘the definition of professional wrestling’
- CM Punk, AJ Lee appear on ‘Hot Ones Versus’
- WWE Raw returns to Netflix global top ten as ‘Stranger Things’ fades
- Update on Rey Mysterio after WWE Raw injury
Latest Audio
- WOL: Rumble odds, RAW, Mysterio injury, Impact ratings
- DragonKingKarl: A look at wrestling in February 1986
- WOR: Royal Rumble, RAW, Arena Mexico, tons more!
Latest YouTube Video
This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter
*A look at Saturday Night’s Main Event, the interest level, the Royal Rumble and Rumble odds
*Big Bad Bobby Duncum, a look at the career of a worldwide headliner who worked on top with almost every major babyface of the 70s, including big WWF and AWA runs and Japanese major tournaments
*CMLL has a big business week with Bandido, Ricochet, Komander, Gates of Agony and Lee Moriarty. A look at some of the best matches so far this year and the craziness that ruined could have been the best of all of them.
*A look at prior plans for 2025 PPV shows that changed
*A look at Netflix numbers over the past six months, as well as how every PPV in 2025 did and some surprises in that direction, as well as how Smackdown did internationally as well as NXT, and how shows that went head-to-head with AEW PPVs drew.
*Notes on the TNA ratings for the first show on AMC and what they tell us.
*TNA Genesis coverage
*2025 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards ballot
*More AEW stars to CMLL next week
*AAA TV taping notes
*Thoughts on the current AAA product and how it relates to Lucha Libre and WWE
*Stardom makes claim against Marigold
*Saya Kamitani returns early
*Notes about a mainstream model who became one of the first big stars in Stardom and women’s MVP
*Best tag team match of the year
*New Japan next major show lineup
*Eight promotions combine for a singles tournament
*The potential best actual wrestler in the world signs with RAF
*Feast or Fired thoughts
*More on AEW’s future with the WBD sale to Netflix
*Trey Miguel situation
*Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
*The most detailed look at the TV ratings over the past week
*UFC returns to action with first big show of 2026
*Top exec since the inception of PFL leaves
*More notes regarding a lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE
*WWE headliner talks bowing out
*WWE and AEW injury updates
*Punk movie box office
*Talent coming and going from promotions
*TKO and WWE execs get millions this quarter
This issue covers the following topics:
- The changes in the WrestleMania plans, the Drew McIntyre title win, Roman Reigns return and the whys.
- WWE getting Will Hobbs while AEW signs a slew of new talent as well. A look at each case-by-case.
- Notes on the big weekend coming to Mexico City
- Kayla Harrison injury and what is the future for the biggest women’s fight in years
- Win-loss records and total bouts for all top WWE/NXT talent in 2025
- WWE Iron Man winner from 1984-2025
- What cutting back on the schedule has taught us about injuries
- Who gets protected in booking and who doesn’t
- The problem with the current schedule and development of young talent
- A star who has been around through various eras talks timing and injuries and best schedule
- A look at TNA’s debut on AMC, what went right and wrong
- When did wrestling start being a work. Studying of history shows it’s a lot earlier than you would think
- Odds for WWE matches upcoming
- The most detailed look at the ratings of all the pro wrestling shows this past week, as well as comparisons with the past and a look at the level of declines and why
- What wrestler has already main evented 12 sold out shows in 2026
- One woman wrestler announces retirement and another retires
- Kazuchika Okada in Japan
- Most watched New Japan World matches of 2025
- Ted DiBiase Jr. on trial
- Death of Rick Link, from fan clubs to main events
- Jesse Ventura speaks about the current political environment
- The greatest wrestler in the world signs with Eric Bischoff’s promotion
- Tons of major independent shows coming
- AEW gets TV in new market
- Ticket sales for upcoming WWE, AEW and TNA events
- Most viewed YouTube videos from AEW and WWE
- Tag team returning to AEW
- Dana White shuts down talk of major match
- A new lawsuit filed against WWE
- Notes on the recent WWE tryout
- Notes on all the WWE arena shows this past week.
This Week’s Back Issue
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Tuesday Update
WWE
- A match between Jaida Parker and Nikkita Lyons has been added to tonight’s NXT.
- Chelsea Green and Netflix executives met with Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
- Akira Tozawa reflected on his and Otis’ number one contendership win on Monday: “It’s been about 10 years since I came to WWE. To be honest, I haven’t left the results people expected, and sometimes I get laughed at like, “You’re still in WWE?” But I love professional wrestling. I love WWE. That’s why no matter what people said, I kept going. And now… it’s time. It’s time to finally make it happen. Otis, thank you for being my partner. Maxxine, thank you for always supporting us. We will become champions. I promise you that. I love you all.”
- John Cena recognized AJ Styles on his Instagram page.
- From WWE ID: “WWE ID Champion Cappuccino Jones made history by defending the WWE ID Championship for the first time in Europe on January 18th in Haarlem, Netherlands at Pro Wrestling Holland! Jones defeated Ricky Sosa!”
- Guilt Chip on social media shared how he cracked a WCW Powerdisk CD-ROM from 1999 that uncovered lost media not seen in over 25 years.
- Recent WWE Vault content includes an AJ Styles tryout promo from 2001, a compilation of Cody Rhodes entrance videos, Ultimate Warrior vs. Sgt. Slaughter from Royal Rumble 1991, a compilation of Royal Rumble pre-show matches, and the 1999 Royal Rumble match.
AEW & Other Wrestling
- The former Braun Strowman wrote on social media that he was currently dealing with a knee infection: “Well spent the night in the hospital with an infection that came out of nowhere in my right knee. So I could use some prayers and well wishes.”
- AEW’s YouTube channel added Komander vs. Orange Cassidy from the January 27, 2024 edition of Collision in full.
- The Ted DiBiase Jr. trial has been paused through February 22. DiBiase recently filed a motion seeking a mistrial after his lawyer suffered a medical emergency.
- Jamie Hayter will face Miyu Yamashita in Pro Wrestling EVE on March 6.
- Atticus Cogar vs. Gringo Loco is set for GCW Ransom on March 8.
Bryan Rose is an editor from California that has been covering professional wrestling for well over a decade. He officially joined F4WOnline as an editor in 2017.