Vince McMahon Officially Deemed A Risk To WWE Finances; November 8th Wrestling News Round-Up

Ahead of tonight’s November 8th 2023 edition of AEW Dynamite, let’s take a look at everything currently announced for the show!

• MJF vs Daniel Garcia for the AEW World Championship
• Samoa Joe vs Keith Lee for the ROH TV Championship
• Swerve Strickland vs. Penta El Zero Miedo
• Jay White vs. Mark Briscoe
• Sting and Darby Allin vs. “The Outrunners” Turbo Magnum and Turbo Floyd
• Julia Hart vs. Red Velvet

As well as all these blockbuster matches, yesterday’s birthday boy Tony Schiavone will be conducting sit down interviews with both Hikaru Shida and Toni Storm.

On this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw The Miz, Bronson Reed, Ivar and Ricochet stole headlines with their Intercontinental Championship number one contenders match.

Although the match primarily made headlines for the unfortunate concussion suffered by Ricochet and the resulting botched finish, social media was also lit ablaze by one incredible spot performed by Ricochet, Ivar and Bronson Reed.

The spot, shown below, featured Ricochet being flung from the top rope whilst in a prone position onto Ivar enabling him to whip out a snug Hurricanrana on The Viking Raider.

Bronson Reed damn near launched Ricochet into orbit 😭😭

Acrobat shit 😭#WWERAW pic.twitter.com/I1zJRi9dkl

— Public Enemies Podcast (@TheEnemiesPE3) November 7, 2023

Taking to Twitter, former WWE talent Dutch Mantell would take credit for creation of the spot and seemingly blast talent for copying it many years later.

Mantell wrote:

“Wow. Nothin is sacred anymore. That spot was created by @drtomprichard and me years ago in Smoky Mountain one night when we were about half drunk in Gatlingbird.

Now it’s all for naught as they say. But steal it if you want. @WSI_YouTube”

Is Mantell right to complain? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

NJPW Superstar Tetsuya Naito underwent eye surgery on November 7th and has now provided an update including his plans for his return.

Speaking with Tokyo Sports, Naito provided an update on the surgery and his recovery from muscle paralysis in his eye.

“I’ve removed the eye patch now, and it looks normal. I had gotten used to the situation where the position of the eyeball in my right eye had shifted a little, so it’s not like (the symptoms) will get better instantly. With time, I will get used to this situation, so I think it will get better.”

Providing an update on his plans to return to the ring, Naito would state:

“I don’t want to take too much time off, and it’s sad and frustrating not to have my name on the card. I would like to return to competition as soon as possible.” [h/t Fightful]

MJF is the current AEW World Champion, the current ROH Tag Team Champion but most importantly is the face of Kaylin and Kaylin Pickles.

MJF took to Twitter to show off his limited edition run of MJF “Better Than You” Pickles available now from Kaylin and Kaylin Pickles.

Check out this amazing tweet below!

Now you can bite into a great fucking pickle year round!!!!

available here https://t.co/8ZwtpQHFR3 pic.twitter.com/RtEgHAxPcE

— Maxwell Jacob Friedman™️ (@The_MJF) November 7, 2023

Former NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose addressed the possibility of her making an in-ring return and the possibility of her signing with AEW.

While taking part in a Q and A on Instagram, Rose was once again asked about a return to wrestling. Rose responded that a return to wrestling is not definite:

I don’t know when I’ll be returning to the ring. Not really sure if I’ll be returning to the ring. Not really sure if I’m not going to be returning to the ring. It’s really up in the air. I know it’s not the best answer, but it’s all I can say right now. I am enjoying my life, my freedom, my time. When you’re wrestling and on the road, it takes a toll on you, and I have to be committed to that if I want to get back into it, so we’ll see. I was on the road for like eight years and it was a blessing.”

No longer tied to WWE, Rose is a free agent and could appear for any promotion when she chooses. Another fan asked if a future appearance in AEW or even Impact would be possible. Rose responded that if the right offer came around she would consider it:

“I don’t know. If the right phone calls comes around, maybe.”

Would you like to see Mandy Rose in AEW? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

Following NXT’s shock departure from the USA Network and new home (in 2024) on The CW Network it looks like things could be shaking up for the white-and-gold brand in there new home.

A new report from WrestleVotes has revealed that there are ongoing talks about potentially changing how NXT operates during WrestleMania week, moving the brands annual ‘Mania week PLE from the Saturday of WrestleMania to the Thursday prior.

The report states:

“On the heels of the CW announcement, I’m told discussions have taken place regarding NXT’s “Stand & Deliver” PLE scheduled for WrestleMania weekend. Those discussions have been about the placement of the show. Source states there is support for the show to “open” the weekend and be held on Thursday night at Wells Fargo Center. I was told while it “makes sense to some, it’s not ideal for others”. We’ll see how it turns out.”

Do you think this is the right move for NXT? Let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

WWE has taken to YouTube to share another forgotten classic WCW match.

This time round we have Goldberg vs. Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Lex Luger from WCW Thunder on November 8th, 2000 – exactly 23 years ago today!

Check out this incredible match in full below!

Earleir today Rockstar Games confirmed the trailer for GTA 6 would be coming soon over a decade after GTA 5 was last released.

Over on the Inside The Ropes Twitter we are running through the biggest moments in wrestling since GTA 5 was first released!

Check it out!

🧵Thread 🧵

Rockstar Games has announced that the trailer for GTA 6 will be coming soon.

A lot has changed in wrestling since GTA 5 was first released.

Let's take a look at some of the biggest moments ⬇️

— Inside The Ropes (@Inside_TheRopes) November 8, 2023

Brian Pillman Jr, aka NXT star Lexis King, has received heavy criticism on social media following his involvement in last night’s episode of NXT.

King would appear in-ring alongside Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes, cutting a brief promo on the pair before accidentally laying out the former NXT Champion.

It is King’s promo during this segment that has received heavy pushback with fans criticising his delivery of the promo and questioning his charisma in this new NXT role.

What do you think of the segment? Check out this clip from last night’s NXT and let us know by hitting the thumbs below!

Get this jabroni off my screen 😂 #wwenxt

dude is destined to be a jobber he can’t help it! pic.twitter.com/B5UHWYAknZ

— Niko Exxtra (@nikoexxtra) November 8, 2023

Jade Cargill officially signed for the WWE back in September earlier this year, since then the former TBS Champion has made appearances on Raw, SmackDown and NXT but is yet to make her in-ring debut.

But why?

Well Cargill herself has taken to social media to share a typically sassy and comical response to that very question.

Taking to Twitter, Cargill would write:

“Whyyyy wrestle when my BIG check clears every week baby.”

It had previously been reported that Jade Cargill was slated to join WWE’s Raw brand and that she would be arriving “sooner rather than later.”

It has been a whirlwind week for the NWA and Billy Corgan.

It was recently reported that NWA had signed two TV deals with a major network, a network later confirmed by Haus of Wrestling to be The CW Network.

Following that news NWA appeared to land themselves in hot water with the network following the companies decision to broadcast a controversial angle in which James Mitchell and other members of the NWA roster were shown snorting cocaine.

Haus of Wrestling reported that the controversial spot upset higher-ups at The CW and as a result “there is now a 90% chance that the NWA reality show and Powerrr will air on The CW app and not on TV.”

Fast forward less than a week and WWE has announced that NXT will be moving homes in October 2024, moving from the USA Network to The CW Network – a move that may have had major complications for the NWA.

As reported by Fightful Select, NWA talent was surprised by the announcement, with one star going as far as to say that they were “blindsided” by the news.

The report goes on to say that WWE sources believe that the NWA deal with CW Sports will no longer take place following the multi-million agreement with NXT.

You can read a full breakdown of the report and what NXT’s move to The CW Network may mean for the NWA, here.

Yesterday we covered Stevie Richards claims that Logan Paul acted above his experience level by saving Rey Mysterio from a serious injury at Crown Jewel 2023.

Now the new United States Champion himself has addressed the terrifying botch.

In a new interview with Alex McCarthy, Logan Paul talks exclusively to Inside The Ropes about his match at Crown Jewel, catching Rey Mysterio, saving him from a potentially broken neck and whether we’ll see Jake Paul in a WWE ring anytime soon!

Check out the interview in full below!

NXT may be moving to The CW Network, but that wasn’t the only exciting announcement made on the white-and-gold brand last night.

Shawn Michaels has enlisted the help of not one, not two, not three but four WWE Hall of Famers as NXT looks ahead to their Deadline PLE on December 9th 2023.

During last night’s episode of NXT a video package would air announcing that WWE Hall of Famers Lita, JBL, Mick Foley and Jerry Lawler would be hand selecting competitors for the Iron Survivor Championship matches at NXT Deadline.

The announcement noted that competitors would be picked by the Hall of Famers based on the following criteria;

“Over the course of the next month these four Hall of Famers will select superstars to compete in qualifying matches based on their quality of work or who they believe is championship material.”

The announcement would end by revealing that Lita will be announcing her selections for the qualifying matches during next week’s (November 14th) edition of NXT.

You can check out the full announcement below!

With the Countdown to #NXTDeadline officially starting, @ShawnMichaels has called upon some WWE Hall of Famers to help select the Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Matches! @AmyDumas, you are on the clock 👀#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/w1L7SGe8N3

— WWE (@WWE) November 8, 2023

Who do you think Lita will pick? Let us know by using the ‘get involved’ feature at the top of the page!

It was a mixed quarter for TKO (the merger group between WWE & UFC) with improved revenue but reduced incoming’s reported in the Q3 earnings report late last night.

However, during the Q3 earnings call, TKO CEO Ari Emanuel had more good news to share with potential investors and current stakeholders.

Emanuel revealed that in 2023 TKO has already garnered eight figures in site fees (a financial contribution by a country, tourist board, or venue in order to secure the hosting rights for an event) however, Emanuel then revealed that WWE’s upcoming Elimination Chamber PLE in Australia is set to return the company it’s largest site fee ever.

No specific amount was revealed, however, it is likely that this does not consider the $50,000,000 per event that the Government of Saudi Arabia pays the WWE as part of their larger ten year partnership.

You can read more on WWE’s eye-watering Crown Jewel earnings, here.

Earlier today we discussed the news coming out of TKO’s Q3 SEC filing that Vince McMahon has been deemed a risk to company finances and operations.

But what else did we find out in filing?

Well, as part of the Q3 reports, TKO (the merger company featuring both WWE and UFC) shared their updated earnings reports and it’s enough to make even the richest man drool.

The report notes that in Q3 of 2023 (July – September) TKO reported a total combined revenue of $449,100,000 with an EBITA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) adjustment of $239,700,000.

TKO saw a 32% revenue increase year-on-year, this increase it attributed to both the $51,600,000 generated by WWE since merging with UFC and and a $56,800,000 increase in UFC revenue.

Net income for TKO was $22,000,000 down from $129,700,000.

TKO states the cause of this decrease as:

“The increase in revenue offset by an increase in operating expenses. The increase in operating expenses primarily reflected an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $136.7 million, including professional fees  and bonuses related to the TKO transaction and charges associated with restructuring activities.

To a lesser extent, higher interest expense and depreciation and amortization also contributed to the decrease in net income.”

You can read TKO’s full earnings report, here.

It was not a quiet night for WWE and TKO.

Ahead of last night’s episode of NXT on USA, WWE announced that in 2024 NXT would be leaving the USA Network for a new home on The CW Network in 2024.

Writing in an official press release, WWE reports:

“The CW Network will become the official broadcast home to WWE NXT in October 2024. The five-year agreement marks the first time in its 13-year history that WWE NXT – which showcases WWE’s hottest up-and-coming Superstars – will air on a broadcast television network. WWE NXT will debut on The CW Network in October 2024 and air 52 live weekly events throughout the season.”

Dennis Miller, President of The CW Network, commented on the venture and what it means to The CW, stating:

“We are thrilled to welcome the WWE brand into the CW Sports portfolio as they play an integral role in our mission to bring live sporting events to the network year-round…WWE NXT is a perfect fit for The CW thanks to its dynamic young talent featuring the hottest rising stars in the sport and exhilarating, unpredictable weekly events. The passion and engagement of WWE’s fanbase is unmatched, and we are eager to grow that audience as WWE NXT’s new home on broadcast television.”

You can read more on the WWE’s move from USA Network to The CW Network, here.

TKO published their Q3 earnings report last night and amongst the overwhelming sense of positivity, about both WWE and UFC’s earnings and their future, there was an interesting note about the role former WWE owner Vince McMahon may play in the company moving forward.

As part of the quarterly financial process TKO submitted a new filing to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, featured in the updated SEC report were TKO’s financial reports for Q3 2023 as well as a breakdown of existing and new “risk factors” that may negatively impact the organisation and therefore be a potential risk to shareholders.

One such risk listed was none other than Vince McMahon.

The updated filing lists Vince McMahon as a risk factor for the company due to the investigation into the allegations against him and associated costs to TKO.

He was not listed as a risk factor in the companies previous filing back in September.

The report notes:

“The special committee of independent members of WWE’s Board of Directors’ investigation into allegations of misconduct by Mr. McMahon, and any further allegations and investigations may have an adverse financial and operational impact on our business performance.”

You can read a full breakdown into the report, here.

Good Afternoon!

I hope everyone is doing well and has had a great week so far!

I will be with you from 12pm to 6pm BST (7am – 1pm ET) covering all the biggest stories from WWE, AEW, NJPW, IMPACT and more.

We will be kicking things off today with the biggest stories from the last 24 hours including:

• Vince McMahon is officially classed as a risk to the WWE due to potential “financial and operational” impacts.
• WWE announces that NXT is moving to The CN in 2024.
• TKO’s eye-watering Q3 earnings revealed.
• Elimination Chamber 2024 sets major WWE financial record.
• Multiple WWE Hall of Famers set to be involved in upcoming NXT matches.
• Raw star makes shock NXT return, set’s sights on NXT Championship gold.