WWE —
– The Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City is hosting the first Raw of 2020 tonight. WWE Champion Brock Lesnar returning for the first time since Survivor Series is advertised for the show. United States Champion Andrade will defend his title against former champion Rey Mysterio, The Viking Raiders will defend their Raw Tag Team titles against The Street Profits and Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson in a triple threat match, and the fallout from last week’s Lana-Bobby Lashley wedding angle will take place.
– The USA Network touted that they finished 2019 as the number one cable entertainment network in the 18-49 demo for the third consecutive year and the number one cable entertainment network in the 25-54 demo for the second straight year. Their press release stated: “Several key series boosted the network to the top spot. WWE Monday Night Raw was the #1 Cable Entertainment Program on Mondays, as well as the #1 Most Social Primetime Series in all of television.”
– A WWE Untold episode on Mysterio’s 2006 Royal Rumble win will premiere on the WWE Network on January 19.
– While speaking with the New York Post, Andrade discussed whether or not he’d be open to his relationship with Charlotte Flair becoming part of his on-screen storylines: “Maybe in the future, but now she’s focused on her work. I’m focused on my work. Now Zelina’s in my corner. Maybe in the future, but not for now.”
– In Australia, NXT will air live on Foxtel’s FOX8 starting this week.
– WWE’s YouTube channel uploaded the 2017 Royal Rumble match, Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena vs. Seth Rollins from Royal Rumble 2015, and Cena vs. Edge from Royal Rumble 2006.
NJPW —
– Despite his heel injury, Will Ospreay was in action at New Year Dash this morning. He teamed with Kazuchika Okada, YOSHI-HASHI & Robbie Eagles against Zack Sabre Jr., Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer & Taichi.
– Jon Moxley made an appearance at New Year Dash and confronted Suzuki, eventually laying him out with the Death Rider DDT.
– Based on New Year Dash, upcoming matches teased include Moxley vs. Suzuki, SHO & YOH vs. El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Kota Ibushi & Hiroshi Tanahashi, EVIL vs. Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto vs. Shingo Takagi, Okada vs. Taichi, Ospreay vs. Sabre, and SANADA vs. Jay White.
– It was mentioned on commentary during New Year Dash that matches for the New Beginning tour will be announced in the coming days.
– A post-Wrestle Kingdom and New Year Dash press conference will take place overnight at 1 a.m. Eastern time on New Japan World.
– After speaking with Gino Gambino and Robbie Eagles about the wildfires in Australia, Chris Jericho donated his ring-worn T-shirt from Wrestle Kingdom 14 to be auctioned off and raise money for volunteer fire services in Australia.
– WWE/NXT & Kushida and ROH were among those who sent flowers for Jushin Thunder Liger’s retirement.
AEW —
– The first Being the Elite episode of 2020 was uploaded today.
– Matt Jackson posted a picture of The Young Bucks at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California on Instagram and wrote: “Venue hunting for 2020..”
– Cody released a new retro T-shirt with all proceeds going to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service.
– A video was sent out today for those who have signed up for Join Dark Order. The punches from the Dark Order segment on Dynamite three weeks ago are referenced, with The Exalted One telling Evil Uno that there’s no room for mercy.
MLW —
– Erick Stevens will make his MLW debut against Douglas James at this Saturday’s Zero Hour tapings in North Richland Hills, Texas.
Other —
– CHIKARA and the Wrestle Factory training school issued a statement announcing that they’ve severed ties with Rory Gulak: “Last week, both CHIKARA, Inc and The Wrestle Factory, LLC severed ties with Rory Gulak. We take allegations of misconduct very seriously. In accordance with this, we cooperate completely and transparently with all law enforcement agencies. Our priority is and always will be the safety of our fans, cast and crew.” ICW also announced that Rory Gulak has been removed from their Gonzo Wrestling show on February 1.
– SoCal Uncensored reported that former PWG ring announcer Jon Ian has passed away: “Still working to confirm details, but sad to report that former Mach 1 promoter and PWG (among others) ring announcer Jon Ian has died. I hope to have a story up on him later tonight. All I can say now is he was a great guy and the scene was better for him being a part of it.”