Alright, let’s get into it—because there’s a lot going on, and a lot of it doesn’t look good.
Ted DiBiase Jr. and Duke Droese are back in court again this week. Same story, different date. And the longer this keeps dragging on, the worse it looks. When you’re in wrestling and your name keeps popping up in court headlines, that’s not “controversy,” that’s a problem.
Mickie James’ dating history with wrestlers keeps making the rounds again online. This is one of those things where fans obsess way more than they should. She’s a Hall of Fame–level talent—period. The rest is gossip people can’t let go of.
Now this one’s big: AJ Styles putting his career on the line against Gunther. That tells you two things—WWE clearly trusts Gunther, and AJ is at the stage where these “career stakes” angles start becoming real conversations. Nobody beats time in this business.
Dykstra getting released back in 2008—people forget how many “next big things” come and go. WWE cycles through talent constantly. If you’re not indispensable, you’re replaceable. That hasn’t changed.
Here’s a brutal stat: the movie Night Patrol with CM Punk opened with $194,016 on 800 screens. That’s not good. Ranked 25th overall, dead last per screen among the top 51 movies. That’s not “Hollywood momentum,” that’s a warning sign. Numbers don’t lie.
Ron Killings—R-Truth—turns 54 today. Still getting reactions, still over, still moving better than guys half his age. Longevity like that is rare, and it deserves respect.
Bam Bam Bigelow passed away 19 years ago today at just 45. One of the most athletic big men ever, and another reminder of how rough this business can be on people long after the crowds stop cheering.
AEW ratings? Down 16.1% in total viewers year over year, and down nearly 59% in the 18–49 demo. That’s not a dip—that’s a collapse. Anyone spinning that as “fine” is lying to themselves.
On YouTube, the two biggest AEW stars by far are Moxley and Copeland. No surprise there. Star power still matters, no matter how much people pretend it doesn’t.
Meanwhile, Orton, Cena, Reigns, Lesnar, and Rhodes dominate the overall lists. WWE still creates megastars. That’s the difference between a global brand and an alternative product.
And finally—issues coming out of recent WWE tryouts with people quitting. That’s reality hitting hard. Not everyone is cut out for this. The grind, the conditioning, the pressure—most people don’t make it past the first taste.
That’s the business. Facts over feelings.
