It’s time for the Daily Drop on May 9, 2024. There is a lot to unpack from all over the pro wrestling world, as always. This is why SEScoops has this daily round-up and update for you.
First off, it WWE RAW isn’t leaving USA Network this year. The red brand will start on Netflix in 2025, but there was a big question about where RAW will go when their deal is up at the end of October. Now, USA Network has secured the remaining months of 2024 with a $25 million deal, per TKO’s latest financial call. Many are seeing that as a steal for the USA Network’s part, but it is a small amount compared to the 5 billion Netflix is giving WWE as part of their 10-year deal that starts in January.
WWE:
WrestleMania 43 Proposal: The Detroit Sports Commission is drafting a proposal to host WrestleMania 43 in their city. This would be a big deal historically, as it would be 40 years after WrestleMania 3, and 20 years following Detroit’s last WrestleMania event.
WWE Isn’t Using GoD: SEScoops exclusively reported that WWE has no plan to use Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa’s Guerillas of Destiny name. Loa debuted at WWE Backlash as part of the Bloodline stable, but the GoD moniker isn’t coming with him, despite the fact that he is aligned with Tonga once again.
TKO Financial Update: In the first quarter of 2024, TKO reported earnings of $629.7 million but incurred a net loss of $249.5 million, primarily due to a $335 million settlement of an antitrust lawsuit. The lawsuit claimed that UFC functioned as an illegal monopsony, suppressing fighter wages and hindering rival promotions, with over 1,200 individuals involved. Meanwhile, UFC generated $313 million in revenue, slightly less than WWE’s $316.7 million. UFC’s highlight for the quarter was the UFC 300 event, which brought in $16.5 million at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.
CM Punk Blocked Music Change: During a recent interview, Living Colour vocalist Corey Glover stated that WWE wanted to do a sound-alike song for “Cut of Personality,” but Punk blocked it. He wanted to use his actual song, which is what ended up happening thanks to the Second City Savior putting his foot down.
AEW:
Ric Flair Reacts: After his Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza blowup, The Nature Boy released a public statement on the matter. The two-time WWE Hall of Famer said that things “just escalated.”
AEW Fight Forever Update: AEW released the Fight Forever Season Pass 4 bundle, capturing attention worldwide. This release includes not just Samoa Joe but also two new arenas: the Japanese Shrine Arena and the Fright Forever Arena. Players can also access new characters Adam Copeland and Jay White. AEW Fight Forever is available on all consoles and PC, and fan reactions to this update will reveal how much AEW has improved its game and how it compares to 2k.
JOE! JOE! JOE! ?
Prepare for war as @SamoaJoe enters the #AEWFightForever ring in the World War Joe DLC Pack! The DLC also includes the all-new Japanese Shrine arena, two new attires, and 11 new moves including signature taunts!
World War Joe can be downloaded today on console… pic.twitter.com/QcjoLX7gRW
— AEW Games (@AEWGames) May 8, 2024
Kenny Omega’s Announcement: Although he is far from being medically cleared, Omega appeared on AEW Dynamite from a hospital bed, where he booked an Anarchy in the Arena match for Double or Nothing on May 26.
Current AEW Double or Nothing 2024 Card:
- Swerve Strickland (c), with Prince Nana, vs. Christian Cage with The Patriarchy for the AEW World Championship
- Mercedes Moné vs. Willow Nightingale (c), for the TBS Championship
- Will Ospreay Vs. Roderick Strong (c) for the International Championship
- ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm (c) vs. Serena Deeb
- Anarchy in the Arena match: The Elite vs. Team AEW.
Here are the upcoming major wrestling events
- Saturday, May 25: King & Queen of the Ring (PLE)
- Sunday, May 26: AEW Double or Nothing (PPV)
- Sunday, June 9: NXT Battleground (PLE)