The Weekly Roundup (Jan 1st, 2023): TNA Impact Legend Don West passes, Charlotte Flair Returns & many more
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Happy New Year from Wrestle Buddy!
Let’s analyze news from the final week of 2022. We’ve had some enjoyable moments & rather sad ones occur this year. Our squad worked hard to provide everyone with some great content for 2022. Here’s to an even better & more prosperous 2023.
Here are WB’s top 5 headlines.
1. Legendary TNA Impact Wrestling Broadcaster Don West dies.
Sadly, Don West passed away on Friday, December 30th, 2022, at age 59. Mike Tenay shared broadcasting duties with West in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and confirmed the news via Twitter. Impact Wrestling also verified this tragic announcement by expressing their deepest sympathies. Several TNA stars conveyed heartfelt tributes honoring the famed commentator.
He died after battling with a brain lymphoma diagnosis back in 2021. For eighteen months, he fought courageously.
He energetically maintained an unrivaled passion when you think about his voice within pro wrestling commentary. West possessed such infectious enthusiasm. The man embodied merchandising sales excellence. What drew TNA to Don West was his natural ability & background in hosting stellar programs for “ The Shop at Home Network. “ Jeff & Jerry Jarrett founded the pro-wrestling alternative to McMahon’s WWE. West joined TNA at the beginning circa 2002 as their color commentator alongside play-by-play announcer Mike Tenay. Both were synonymous with being voices for the brand. Wrestling’s more underrated calls involved West & Tenay. Matches that had AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels, Jeff Jarrett, Christian Cage, Sting, Kurt Angle, & Frankie Kazarian, Bobby Roode, James Storm, and Chris Harris featured the duo on commentary.
In 2012, West left TNA. He would return five years later in 2017. He oversaw TNA’s merchandise creation & sales department.
We’ll miss Don West greatly! Thank you, sir, for those spectacular memories. Wrestle Buddy sends our condolences & prayers to the entire West Family.
2. Charlotte Flair returns & wins SmackDown Women’s Championship
The “Queen “ Charlotte Flair has returned to rule the WWE!!! After, Champion Ronda Rousey retained her title against Raquel Rodriquez in the final episode of Friday Night SmackDown for 2022. (Dec. 30, 22) Rousey & Shayna Baszler looked shocked as fans in Tampa, FL, reacted royally to witness the former Champion’s surprising return. She arrived with new entrance music & challenged “ The Baddest Woman on the Planet “ to a match afterward. An angry Rousey then accepts.
Flair delivered the big boot to Ronda & got a 2-count. Charlotte spears her & only for Rousey to apply the arm bar submission. Charlotte countered by rolling her up into a pin & she grabbed the tights. That kind of move assisted her majesty in a quick victory & new SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair. It makes Flair a 14-time Champion. The WWE Universe has not seen Charlotte since she lost the title to Rousey in an “ I Quit Match “ at WrestleMania Backlash on May 8th, 2022. She also took time off to marry AEW wrestler Andrade over the summer.
3. IC Title at Elimination Chamber
Xero News reported earlier this week that a monumental matchup could transpire regarding February’s Premium Live Event for WWE! Currently, plans are for Gunther to defend his Intercontinental Title against Braun Strowman, Richocet, Santos Escobar, LA Knight, & Drew McIntyre inside Elimination Chamber in Montreal. Rumor has it this match might be the main event for Elimination Chamber. Gunther remains someone who excites audiences with his wrestling style. He’s been open about restoring prestige to the IC Title. What a dominating Champ the Austrian phenomenon continues to be.
His reign entails a magnificent 200-plus day trajectory of respected superiority. The Ring General first won the belt from Ricochet back in June on SmackDown!
I’m like everyone, let’s see it.
4. Has the Downfall of The Bloodline Started?
Many seemingly have concluded The Bloodline’s vulnerabilities. Anything inferior must be ending or facing tumultuous issues. For “ Honorary UCE “ Sami Zayn, his reinventive run as an adopted family member coming to one sad & disappointing close?
Could Roman, Jimmy, Jey, Solo, & Heyman be using him, or is it Zayn has them fooled? It leaves us with more questions than answers. Sami proved his unwavering loyalty at Survivor Series WarGames by helping ‘ The Ones’ triumph. Things aren’t what they seem. Remember those countless times Roman Reigns embraced Zayn with a mischievous grin? The storytelling creates mistrust & allegiance at the same time. Remember, actions speak louder than words. We’ve seen Jimmy & Jey, Paul Heyman, & Solo Sikoa do similar underlying things. People may argue Sami has his doubtful moments too. With WrestleMania season rapidly approaching & Royal Rumble starting us off for 2023. Discussions intensify around The Bloodline imploding before our very eyes. I believe it’s more of a ruthless betrayal, but who is it?
After John Cena & Kevin Owens had defeated Roman Reigns & Sami Zayn in the main event for the last edition of Friday Night SmackDown & it remains plausible that viewers could see Zayn’s betrayal concerning the Bloodline as imminent. Other possibilities are He challenging Roman or The Usos! Maybe, it’s the fans who these superstars are playing with their emotions. In a few scenarios, Sami finds a tag-team partner & challenges Jimmy & Jey for the belts, or he challenges The Tribal Chief later down the road & even if it’s after Mania. No one knows the fascinating truth. All shall be revealed & let’s enjoy the ride.
5. AEW’s abysmal ratings
Ratings consistently alter the course of professional wrestling’s popularity as it correlates with mainstream television companies broadcasting each promotion’s weekly flagship shows.
The Wrestling Observer reported that this Wednesday’s episode of AEW Dynamite represented the last one for 2022, titled New Year’s Smash didn’t exceed expectations. The average viewership was down 8.5 percent from the previous week. Unfortunately, this is indicative of lesser-than-stellar ratings for All-Elite Wrestling television programming. What stood out about the low percentage figure was it was the lowest audience total concerning Dynamite since December 7th’s episode.
Their 18 thru 49 age demographic proved not very helpful to them. AEW Dynamite finished 5th on the cable charts. This 0.28 rating was noticeably down 6.7 percent from last week. College Football on ESPN & the network’s Sportscenter segments that followed with Bowl game coverage took the top 4 spots.
An alarming state mentioned it matched Dynamite’s second-lowest rating of .18-49 circa October. Ratings fell drastically in all important demo categories. Males from the ages of 12 thru 34 were down 41.4 percent. An 0.17 rating related to this same age group equaled the program’s lowest back in July.
When comparing that same week in 2021, Dynamite’s viewership dropped to 10.2 percent & overall spectators were down a 24.3 ratio with 18-49-year-olds. Other stats demonstrate significant drops. This week’s effort got a 1.6 percent overall, with those tuning into Dynamite. Still, their 18-49 demo remained down at 6.7 percent. That’s comparing recent statistics.
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Stay informed & up to date with WB & Happy New Year!!!
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