Wrestling News

Home

Quizzes

Newsletter

Daily Update: Dakota Kai, Madi Wrenkowski, Samoa Joe vs. Hook

Originally posted on F4WOnline.com | By Joseph Currier | Last updated 1/17/24

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter

January 15, 2024 Observer Newsletter: 2023 business year in review

The biggest crowds of the year for pro wrestling, boxing, MMA and even college wrestling
What pro wrestlers were drawing the biggest crowds most often
How each promotion did as far as drawing in 2023
The biggest gates of the year
Pro wrestling history--the biggest drawing card every year dating back to 1916
Most years for any wrestler in history as the leading draw
50 Biggest drawing cards of all-time based on annual dominance and longevity
Royal Rumble update
Early notes on AEW Revolution and how the main event was set up
The life and times of Killer Khan, the top drawing actual Japanese native when it comes to major crowds in U.S. history and the feud with Andre the Giant, Choshu's Army and a look at pro wrestling in the 70s and 80s in the U.S., Japan and Mexico.
New Year Dash, New Japan's next major shows, and future of several of New Japan's top guys
The most detailed look at the ratings for the past week, weekly standings, nightly competition, ups and downs compared to last year, segment-by-segment.
Former world champion open to moving to Mexico and working full-time
Unique tournament in Mexico starts next week
Promotion talks about its unique 2024 theme
Movie on life of a current pro wrestling star release date
Key intermediary in WWE/All Japan deal
New Japan major shows for 2024
New international promotional alliance
Business of the Iron Claw movie
Are WWE & AEW stars employees or independent contractors, what the new law says and why wrestling may fall through the cracks
Notes on next season of Dark Side of the Ring
Nic Nemeth in Puerto Rico
Mustafa Ali independent return
Return of TNA
New major AEW & WWE hires
Update on Worlds End PPV numbers
Kota Ibushi injury update
International TV ratings
Lots of new major UFC fights
Joshua vs. Ngannou business thoughts
More on Raw TV deal
Looking at how Raw would be expected to do on Amazon Prime
Where Rock vs. Roman isn't happening
CM Punk's UFC pay notes
Pat McAfee controversy

This Week's Retro Observer Newsletter

October 9, 2006 Observer Newsletter: Brian Pillman, Kurt Angle

Wednesday Update

WWE

Dakota Kai, who has been out of action since May due to a torn ACL, gave an update on her recovery:

I'm so sick of seeing people saying, 'She can run and jump, but she's not cleared still?' No, that's not how this works. Obviously, I can run and jump because I've been doing it for the last few months, but they have a set date for when you actually get cleared because I have to still do matches and they have to check all the boxes of when I'm actually cleared. I'm not going to be in a wheelchair for nine months and then suddenly stand up and go, 'I'm cured.' That's not how it works.
I have been running. I have been jumping. Please stop with 'she's lying, she's faking.' Do you think it's been my choice to not wrestle for nine months? Do you think it's been my choice? No. I don't know when the clear date is. Please stop asking me. Rehab is going great though. It's definitely not long now.

Now going by the name Wren Sinclair, former NWA Women’s Tag Team Champion and AEW Dark wrestler Madi Wrenkowski made her NXT debut last night. Sinclair was an entrant in the 20-woman battle royal that took place on the episode. It was said that Sinclair was replacing the injured Cora Jade in the match.
JBL and Zelina Vega both made appearances on NXT. JBL gave Josh Briggs advice during a backstage segment, while Vega accompanied Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro for their Dusty Classic match against Duke Hudson & Riley Osborne.
Carlito spoke to the Daily Mail about the goals he has for his WWE return:

I just told them I was ready to come back full time, do as much as I can. I've got very few years left, so I want to take advantage of the years that I have left in this business.
I think I'm in a completely different space now. I know that I'm older, I know, I'm not what [I] used to be. But I know I still have a lot to give, there's a lot in the tank. And I guess my goals now is to mix it up with the young guys and just help the next generation of wrestlers and the business as best as I can putting in my little input on it.
That's kind of my goal, too, to elevate the other guys. We all know who Rey Mysterio is, and [Santos] Escobar seems to be on a path going up. So, any other members that come in, the new guys, that's what I want to do, to elevate them and make them just as big as any other part of the LWO.

Carlito and Randy Orton are appearing on WWE’s The Bump this afternoon.
WWE uploaded a video with Mick Foley looking back at some of his greatest moments as Mankind.
Grayson Waller and LA Knight were guests on Sunrise in Australia. They also were on The Kyle & Jackie O Show.
Dexter Lumis turns 40 years old today.

AEW/Other Wrestling

AEW paid tribute to Jay Briscoe (Jamin Pugh) on the one-year anniversary of his passing: “One year ago today we sadly lost Jamin Pugh. Known worldwide as Jay Briscoe, he was a star in ROH for over 20 years, capturing the ROH World Championship twice, and along with his brother Mark, dominated the tag team division winning the ROH World Tag Team Championship a record setting 13 times. #ReachForTheSky #DemBoys”
Samoa Joe spoke with Sports Illustrated ahead of his title defense against Hook on Dynamite tonight:

I’m very much looking forward to it. This typifies what I want to see during my reign–I want these first-time matchups with something at stake. Hook is quite the dynamic little athlete, and he’s been doing his best to make his case. His record speaks for itself, and we’re going to find out if he’s the truth or not.

ESPN and Bleacher Report also interviewed Joe.
AEW uploaded a promo with Hook building up tonight’s match.
Rush praised Mark Henry: “A true wrestler never stops learning, experience is available everywhere in #AEW and learning from people you respect is KEY. Mark Henry is ‘El Tio de la Faccion,’ the respected uncle you can always learn from and always willing to help us out. #LFI #AEWDynamite”
Will Ospreay thanked TNA Wrestling for allowing him to compete at the promotion’s TV tapings that took place on Sunday: “I will continue to publicly show my support & appreciation to @IMPACTWRESTLING roster, staff & crew. Thank you for allowing me to be part of the return & getting to finally call myself a TNA kid. All the best to that talented group & hopefully we can cross over again.”
Scott D’Amore responded to Ospreay: “Truly has been an honor and pleasure to have you in @IMPACTWRESTLING. You’re a class act and just all around a damn fine human being. What you and @Walking_Weapon do this Thursday on #TNAiMPACT will inspire a whole new generation. #TNAWrestling”
Booker T commented on The Young Bucks being the opponents for Sting’s final match:

I think those guys would be able to go out there and do it right. I mean, those guys, they can perform. I can't take that away from The Bucks. Those guys do a bunch of stuff. They flip around and all that kind of stuff, but when it comes to working, those guys can actually work. I know they're going to hear this and say where is this coming from and a lot of people may be saying where is this coming from. Those guys do a lot of stuff that I don't agree with, but when it comes to going out there and working, dammit, they can work. They can flip around and get Sting over probably better than anybody else in that company for that one night.

A two-hour MLW Reload special will air on beIN Sports and MLW’s YouTube channel at 10 p.m. Eastern time this Saturday (January 20).
AEW wished Brodie Lee Jr. a happy birthday.
AEW’s new Rise to the Top mobile game is now available to download on the Apple App Store and Google Play.