Daily Update: AEW Full Gear, Roderick Strong, WWE SmackDown notes

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UFC on ESPN+ 90 live results: Brendan Allen vs. Paul CraigIron Survivor Challenge qualifying matches set for WWE NXTAEW Full Gear preview & predictions: A man aloneWWE SmackDown video highlights: Becky Lynch, Cody Rhodes appearChris Hero makes in-ring return at West Coast Pro Whiplash

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This Week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter

November 20, 2023 Observer Newsletter: 2023 Hall of Fame issue

One of our two traditional biggest issues of the year of the Observer came out this week, the 2023 Hall of Fame issue:

2023 Hall of Fame voting standings for all candidatesHall of Fame coverage, career highlights of the seven new inductees and one major feature story on a European legend, plus who is off the ballot next year, who will be added to the ballot next year, every first ballot Hall of Famer, every person historically elected with more than 75 percent of the vote and the top 30 in each category for reporters, historians, active pros and retired pros.Match of the week and performer of the weekA look at Full Gear and Survivor SeriesUFC 295 full coverageThe end of an era with Bellator and MMA on ShowtimeCoverage of DDT's Ultimate Party with Chris Jericho, Hiromu Takahashi and a great title match on topPWG on hiatus and its ever changing role in pro wrestlingThe most complete ratings report, demo coverage, competition for the shows and segment-by-segment notes, plus comparisons with one year ago.Notes on Flip Gordon becoming a regular in CMLLNewcomers to watch out for including one spectacular newcomer at Arena MexicoStardom and All Japan tag tourneysNew Japan tag tournament notes and this week's showsLone Star Shootout from New JapanWomen's wrestling sets all-time attendance markTony Khan's Continental ClassicLots of AEW stars in mainstream acting gigsInternational TV ratingsUpcoming ticket advances for WWE & AEWHow times have changed greatly for UFC regarding Conor McGregorDana White gos on rampages about sponsors and critics of another sponsorUFC's greatest fighters of all-timeNew UFC major fightsBellator champion suspended regarding drug test failureFury-Ngannou PPV updateRetired star gets giant money offer to return from Middle EastMore notes on Vince McMahon's stock saleRey Mysterio update and angle updateWWE making production changes for Mania weekDwayne Johnson claims he almost went to PrideWhy Raw could take a big hit this week

This Week's Retro Observer Newsletter

August 23, 2006 Observer Newsletter: WWE Mexico tour, Diva Search

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Saturday Update 

WWE

SmackDown averaged 2.22 million viewers in the fast national ratings last night. The rating in the 18-49 demo was a 0.6.With Corey Graves still on paternity leave, Road Dogg filled in for Graves on SmackDown commentary last night. Road Dogg called the show alongside Michael Cole and Kevin Patrick.Axiom wrestled on SmackDown for the first time ever last night, losing to Dragon Lee. Axiom made a post on social media after the match saying it was an opportunity he’s always dreamed of.WWE shared a vlog from Becky Lynch’s appearance on Celebrity Jeopardy.The Masked Man Show has an interview with Gunther.Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits, Carlito, and LA Knight appeared on The SmackDown LowDown.

AEW/Other Wrestling

AEW’s YouTube channel uploaded the full Countdown to Full Gear special that aired last night.Josh Nason previewed the Full Gear card for Sports Illustrated.Bryan Alvarez noted last night that the word was Roderick Strong is okay following the scary spot where he landed on his head during a botched Spanish Fly from Action Andretti on Rampage.Uproxx interviewed Hangman Page ahead of Full Gear. Page said his next goal after facing Swerve Strickland at Full Gear is winning the AEW World Championship for a second time:I fully intend to finish that for good on Saturday. Once I can bring closure to that, for me, I feel that now I’m in a very different place than I was for the past year and a half, and I feel extremely motivated and I know that once my current goal is done, (winning the world title again will) be my next one.MJF appeared in the latest video for Dr. Beau Hightower on YouTube.In an interview with The Walkaway Fight Club, Daniel Garcia praised Mercedes Mone:I think a Mercedes, not even in a women’s division, I think she’s one of the greatest performers of all time. I think she carries herself like a star. Her in-ring ability is amazing. I think she’s very creative, very unique. I’ve never met her, but you can tell her work ethic is insane. When she left, took a break for a year, and she was going to all these different schools. She trained in Mexico, she trained in Japan, she trained with House of Glory in New York City, just learning and adapting to all these different styles to improve her game. Just always being a student, not being complacent, not just resting on her laurels. She never seems like the type to do that. I really admire her, I love watching and studying her matches. I think she’s one of the best of all time, male or female.Garcia spoke to The Messenger about not being part of the card for Full Gear:I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt not being on these pay-per-views. That's what I aspire to be on. I want to be in the biggest matches. I want to be facing the biggest names in the biggest opportunities.I feel like if you don't want to be on the pay-per-views, that's weird. Like, why are you wrestling if you don't want to be on the biggest shows?I'm not somebody who gets easily discouraged. I work very hard. When I see one thing isn't working, I adapt, I change, I shift. I meld into different things.I've been ready for a long time, and I feel like that's never changed. With every opportunity, with every week that passes, I just keep getting more ready.The full Will Ospreay vs. Josh Alexander match from this week’s Impact has been uploaded to Impact Wrestling’s YouTube channel. Impact also shared video of Ospreay and Alexander’s post-show comments.Alex Zayne now has a sponsorship deal with Taco Bell Japan for his own Alex Zayne Meal:I’m gettin my own Alex Zayne Meal at Taco Bell in Japan.Making me an unsigned, independent, professional wrestler with an international brand deal.For those in the same line of work, the opportunities are out there waiting for you to put all the flavors together. Waiting for you to make the sauce. Get creative and permeate mainstream culture with wrestling culture. With Independent Wrestling Culture. I believe in you, I believe in professional wrestling. Thank you to anyone who has ever supported me and my love for Taco Bell. We did it! Next stop, NJPW WORLD TAG LEAGUE! ITADAKIMASU!Click Here: