The Weekly Report (08th Jan, 2022): Vince is BACK!!! & many more.
Photo Credit: WWE
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Welcome to the inaugural edition of “ The Weekly Report, “ for Sunday, January 8th, presented by Wrestle Buddy. My name is Tyler Peters. It’s a brand-new feature that offers insight into headline news concerning professional wrestling.
Each week WB will briefly review the top 5 wrestling news stories. The goal for contemporary content remains a valued priority for readers & viewers of many great podcasts. Let’s get analytical here.
What reports are trending?
1. Vince is Back
This past Friday (January 6th), Vince McMahon officially returned to WWE & rejoined the company’s board of directors. After nearly six months after his retirement last year due to an alleged sexual misconduct investigation. WWE substantiated these reports about McMahon’s return & he is the founder & majority shareholder.
Their company shares increased by more than 22%.
Vince McMahon would step away until this inquiry ended. He even retired as Chairman & CEO. The Wall Street Journal disclosed that McMahon agreed to pay more than $ 12 Million over 16 years to restrain these accusations. WWE stated they would look into “ all strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. “
Speculation involving a potential sale of the company to another entertainment entity was another incentive for Vince’s comeback.
McMahon addressed this in a letter to the board & its date was December 20th, yet published on Friday.
Three board members are gone, JoEllen Lyons Dillon, Jeffery R. Speed, & Alan M. Wexler. McMahon, & two other members of the board were named Michelle Wilson and George Barrios
2. Sasha to NJPW
Sasha Banks returned to pro wrestling this week. Neither WWE nor AEW landed “ The Boss! “ Popular gossip kept everyone intrigued as it related to the former WWE Women’s Champion & Tag Team Champion.
Fans last watched Banks wrestle in 2022.
She debuted in New Japan Pro Wrestling as Mercedes Mone & attacks IWGP Women’s Champion Kairi Zane after her successful title defense against Tam Nakano at Wrestle Kingdom 17 via the Tokyo Dome circa Wednesday, Jan. 4th. Mercedes challenges Kairi to a Championship match for NWJP Battle in the Valley in February. Their epic contest emanates live from the San Jose Civic Center. Audiences can watch it live in English on Fite TV.
3. Omega & Will broke the Meltzer scale
The IWGP United States Championship bout with (C) Will Ospreay versus Kenny Omega during the NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 received high praise from wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer. His review is available in a current issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. That matchup broke the Meltzer star rating system. He gave it Six and a quarter stars.
Dave talked about Omega’s incredibly high pace wrestling. To him, this encounter had drama, storytelling, superstar auras, symbolism, & athleticism. Those spots became quite dangerous at times.
In my own words, Many agree Ospreay impressed & showcased innovation. He equals his opponent’s creative techniques. He has proven why New Japan branded him brilliantly, while Kenny left to help create AEW. Will took over where Omega left off. Ospreay’s pace is unreal. Spectators realize this wrestler defines gravity & one cannot resist viewing his noble athletic efforts.
Per Dave’s accounts, we got tremendous physicality combined with each wrestler’s signature move sets. Omega pinned Ospreay in 34:38 to secure the IWGP U.S. Title.
4. Muta vs. Nakamura-the last match
International wrestling got a dream match when the legendary Keiji Muto( The Great Muta) faced WWE superstar & NJPW alum Shinsuke Nakamura in the main event at The New Year 2023 spectacular for Japanese promotion NOAH circa January 1st, 2023.
Muta will officially retire on February 21, 2023. What’s interesting is both wrestlers’ have similar paths. Each debuted in Shin-Japan Pro Wrestling. They represent their respective generation. We saw a press conference leading up to this historic match.
It was one of Muta’s final matches before retiring.
Nakamura defeated The Great Muta by using his famous green mist against him.
5. Is Roman going to throw Sami out of Bloodline sooner than later?
Tension among Bloodline members progressively revolves around underlying drama with Zami Zayn & Roman Reigns. In this Friday’s edition of SmackDown (Jan. 6th), Fans saw the show open with Zayn, The Usos, & Solo Sikoa taking over as they did on Monday Night Raw. What followed was the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns with Paul Heyman came out.
Sami Zayn hyped his dominant squad & The Tribal Chief delivered another convincing promo that blamed Zayn for their loss last week to John Cena and Kevin Owens. Reigns got upset by calling the Honorary member out for trying to emulate him. He explained that Sami got pinned, but he did not. After Roman verbally began berating Sami. Kevin Owens interrupts, and KO challenges the Champ at Royal Rumble. Owens said Reigns is upset because Cena & himself won the tag team match last Friday. The Champion denied that request. Throughout the program, Sami attempted to talk with his leader backstage. Heyman & the Usos wouldn’t let Zayn enter their locker room.
Before the main event, Reigns talked with Sami. He wanted to apologize & Roman ended up apologizing. The Tribal Chief said it was Owens causing this anger. Reigns had Sami stay behind to watch the match instead of accompanying Jimmy & Jey wrestled against Sheamus & Drew McIntyre. They retained the Tag Team Titles. Also, Paul Heyman informed Sami that next week on SmackDown, Zayn versus Kevin Owens. WWE announced a Championship Match between Roman Reigns versus Kevin Owens at the Royal Rumble.
That concludes The Weekly Report.
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