Wrestlenomics

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston discuss Linda McMahon’s role in Trump’s administration, Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson & AEW’s third-quarter performance.

The President-elect has chosen Linda McMahon to lead the Education Department with many questioning this latest cabinet choice.

Netflix staged one of its biggest events ever this past Friday, the boxing match from AT&T Stadium, but the broadcast was hardly flawless.

Plus: AEW’s Q3 performance, WWE confirms its location for Raw on Jan. 6, AEW rolls out dates for December & 2025 including three nights at the Hammerstein Ballroom, a massive Republican presence at UFC 309 in New York City and Pollock & Thurston react to the WON Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

RELATED:

• Wrestling scandals shadow the rise of Linda McMahon
• Netflix Stock Rises Again As Tyson-Paul Fight Sets Streaming Record
• AEW Q3 2024 Key Performance Indicators: TV ratings, attendance, PPV buys
• Ari Emanuel discusses WWE’s move to Netflix
• AEW announces events at Hammerstein Ballroom
• November 18, 2024 Observer Newsletter: The 2024 Hall of Fame class
• Trump, Visiting New York, Finds a Friendly Crowd at a Fight

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston cover the latest including Linda McMahon’s role in Trump’s cabinet, WWE’s cuts, Tyson vs. Paul on Netflix & more.

Pollock and Thurston chat about Linda McMahon’s rumored appointment to Trump’s cabinet as its head of commerce, Dr. Carlon Colker issues another filing and Ann Callis responds, WWE makes a handful of talent cuts, and Netflix presents Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul this Friday at AT&T Stadium.

Plus: Toronto will host Elimination Chamber, NXT goes on the road again, a discussion on UFC and WWE’s alternative pay-per-view models, and the surge in sign-ups for Blue Sky could see a shift in wrestling-based social activity. 

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/pr882vQHKpU

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston go through TKO’s Q3 earnings report, a breakdown of the Crown Jewel show, and chat about the WON Hall of Fame.

Pollock and Thurston discuss the details from Wednesday’s Q3 earnings and call with analysts, the key takeaways from the report, and a follow-up interview Mark Shapiro did on CNBC.

Our guest is U.K. journalist Robert Jackman, who attended the WWE events in Saudi Arabia this past weekend and provides an in-person report on WWE’s popularity in the country, fans who travel to the shows, and its relationship with the General Entertainment Authority. 

Plus, What does a Trump administration mean for Vince McMahon?

And, we go through the candidates for the Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Hall of Fame.

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/7q9RuizIuuE

RELATED:

• TKO Reports $57.7M Net Income for Q3: WWE and UFC Financials
• Mark Shapiro on UFC media rights, McMahon, gambling and more
• Linda McMahon contributed more than $10 million to help elect Donald Trump in 2024

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

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Wrestlenomics

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On the first Sunday of each month, Wrestlenomics Radio is free for everyone. Wrestlenomics Radio is available every week exclusively for subscribers at patreon.com/wrestlenomics.

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The latest on pro wrestling business, with Brandon Thurston.

• WWE, AEW popularity (attendance & TV ratings) monthly update
• Bloodline story continues to pop quarter-hours, YouTube highlights
• Wrestlemania ticket prices over time
• Update on WWE/TKO ownership
• Merchandise rankings estimates
• Your questions:
• How would you assess NXT ratings on CW so far?
• NXT vs. Dynamite head-to-head this Wednesday
• Do you worry that covering controversial topics will hurt Wrestlenomics?
• How much money could an ROH on TruTV deal reasonably be worth?
• How would TKO price tickets if demand declined?

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📺 VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/sZ6It8K98nM

📊 PODCAST SLIDES - DOWNLOAD PDF

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Music: “Sports FM” by Shane Ivers: https://www.silvermansound.com

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston provide a breakdown of the WWE ID program, which was announced this week.

They discuss the details the company has shared along with additional information and many questions this initiative brings up.

Mark Pollesel, promoter of C*4 Wrestling in Ottawa, Ontario, joins us to share his reaction to WWE ID program and the response he received on Tuesday after outlining those issues on X.

Plus: A report suggests Vince McMahon is looking to resume his career, WrestleMania 41 tickets create an uproar, TKO’s stock responds to acquisition announcement, and WWE returns to Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel and Raw.

RELATED:

• WWE launches indie wrestling development program
• Vince McMahon preparing to launch entertainment company

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston are joined by Greg Gutzler and Lee Cole to discuss the lawsuit filed by five ex-WWF ring boys against Vince & Linda McMahon and TKO.

This is a detailed look at the 82-page complaint, the allegations by five John Does who worked for the WWF throughout the 1980s, and what they accuse the WWF of knowing.

Greg Gutzler, partner at DeCello Levitt, is representing the five ex-ring boys and speaks about the development of this case, the process leading to Wednesday’s filing, and the horrific details outlined.

Lee Cole, the older brother of the late Tom Cole, joins us to share his feelings on this lawsuit being filed, carrying out his brother’s wishes, and he was caught up in the middle of this story during the early ‘90s through his brother.

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/vMzH2xvRjK0

RELATED:

• Vince and Linda McMahon Named in New ‘Ring Boy’ Sex Abuse Lawsuit Against WWE
• Former WWF ring boys allege horrific abuse by ring announcer Mel Philips in new lawsuit 

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” Ben Tramer”

POST Wrestling

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston discuss the long ties between the UFC and Donald Trump

Journalist Karim Zidan of Sports Politika returns to chat about his new audio series In the Red Corner detailing Trump’s history with the promotion and how it has served the Republican strategy to cater to its audience.

Plus: Preliminary approval is granted by Judge Richard Boulware, Rolling Stone speaks with six ex-WWE writers, Piers Morgan presents a trainwreck involving Vince Russo and Phil Mushnick, NXT books the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia with an immediate sellout, and all the latest TV ratings. 

RELATED:

• Inside the WWE Writers Room, ‘A Kingdom Ruled by Fear’
• Piers Morgan Uncensored 
• Judge issues preliminary approval for $375 million settlement in Cung Le case

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” Ben Tramer”

POST Wrestling

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Wrestlenomics

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NOTE: Sorry for the poor quality of Brandon's audio. I had tech issues just as we were going live -Brandon

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston chat about the latest filing by Janel Grant’s team and look back at the career of the late Joe Koff. 

This past week, Grant’s team filed a memorandum opposing Dr. Carlon Colker & the Peak Wellness clinic’s attempt to dismiss their bill of discovery as Grant continues to seek her past medical records.

Former ROH COO Joe Koff passed away this week and we welcome former ROH staff member Jordan Goodman to share his thoughts on working with Koff, the popularity of the promotion, running at Madison Square Garden, and how Koff will be remembered in the industry. 

VIDEO VERSION: https://www.youtube.com/live/6RQkTvaDS7o

RELATED:

• John Pollock’s obit on Joe Koff
• Janel Grant representatives speak with media after new filing in case against doctor associated with Vince McMahon 
• Defendants in Kevin Kelly & Tates’ case argue improper venue, seek arbitration clauses to be enforced

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” Ben Tramer”

POST Wrestling

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston are joined by Janel Grant’s spokesperson Kendra Barkoff Lamy to speak about their request for WWE to waive NDAs. 

Then, Pollock & Thurston will speak with independent wrestler Logan Knight about yesterday’s meeting of the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission, in which officials declined to change their rule that prevents transgender wrestlers from participating in matches.

Plus: Note on the AEW ownership structure, site fee figure for SummerSlam 2025 in New Jersey, TV ratings from the past week & more.

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/LzukZ2V5enE

RELATED:

• Janel Grant’s representation asking for NDAs to be waived in sex trafficking lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE & John Laurinaitis
• Wrestling commission grapples with gender rules, decides to defer to state legislature

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” Ben Tramer”

POST Wrestling

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Wrestlenomics

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On the first Sunday of each month, Wrestlenomics Radio is free for everyone. Wrestlenomics Radio is available every week exclusively for subscribers at patreon.com/wrestlenomics.

AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery announced a renewal of Dynamite and Collision for TBS and TNT in a deal that will also broadcast the program live in homes without cable through the Max streaming service.

VIDEO VERSION: https://www.youtube.com/live/rzwRVLeybyc

The latest news in pro wrestling business, with Brandon Thurston. 

-AEW and WBD announce media deal renewal

-NXT debuts on CW, with the network's highest P18-49 of 2024

-State of AEW, WWE TV ratings, attendance as Q3 ends

-What WBD & AEW announced, what we still don't know

-Why household reach is an important focus of the deal

Your questions, including:

-The future of TV ratings reporting

-Overruns' effect on TV ratings

-Will AEW become profitable?

-If Smackdown goes to 3 hours, why didn't NBCU just renew Raw?

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Music credit: “Sports FM” by Shane Ivers: https://www.silvermansound.com

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🎙 http://wrestlenomics.com/podcast

▶️ http://youtube.com/c/wrestlenomics

📷 http://instagram.com/wrestlenomics

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🌐 http://wrestlenomics.com

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