The sports betting industry is booming, and there has never been a better time to learn how to become a bookie. With the rise of online sportsbooks and advancements in technology, launching your own sportsbook business is more accessible than ever. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with a step-by-step roadmap to becoming a successful bookie, covering everything from understanding the role of a bookmaker to managing and expanding your sportsbook operations.
Short Summary
Becoming a bookie requires comprehensive business planning, industry knowledge and essential skills.
The sports betting market is growing due to internet technology, with an estimated global size of over $92.9 billion by 2023.
To launch your own successful sportsbook, you must choose the right platform, obtain a license & integrate payments while utilizing reliable pay per head services for risk management & customer retention strategies.
The Basics of Becoming a Bookie
Becoming a bookie begins with understanding the role of a bookmaker and the crypto sports betting industry. A bookmaker accepts wagers from individuals on sporting events and pays out winnings based on the outcomes. The sports betting industry is worth an estimated $150 billion annually, providing ample opportunities for those interested in starting their own sportsbook business.
To succeed in this lucrative industry, it is essential to develop a solid business plan that outlines your objectives, budget, and strategies for achieving your goals. This includes acquiring a deep understanding of the sports you plan to offer, as well as cultivating the essential skills needed for success, such as risk management, recordkeeping, customer service, and data protection.
Role of a Bookmaker
The role of a bookmaker is to facilitate betting and oversee payouts when a bet is won. There are several advantages to becoming a bookmaker, such as having control over the sports betting product, the potential to generate a profit, and the ability to offer a wide array of betting options for players. However, there are also disadvantages, such as the requirement of time and financial resources, the need for connections with other businesses, and the limited timeframe before competitors introduce a similar feature.
One of the most crucial aspects of becoming a bookie is managing your bookie bankroll and juice. The bookie bankroll is the capital that is separate from the funds generated from wagers, while the juice or vig is the primary source of income for bookies, as for every $100 wager, the bookie earns $5 while the gambler loses $5. This income helps bookies manage risk and generate consistent profits.
Sports Betting Industry Overview
The sports betting industry has experienced significant growth in recent years thanks to the convenience of internet betting and the widespread adoption of mobile technology. Sportsbook software has enabled individuals to establish turn-key online businesses, with most sportsbook business conducted via mobile phones while on the move or during weekends.
The legal trend towards sports betting in the U.S. has also facilitated the growth of per head sportsbook operating bookies. By 2023, the global market for online gambling is estimated to exceed $92.9 billion. This growth provides numerous opportunities for those looking to become bookies, regardless of prior experience or qualifications.
Essential Skills for Success
To become a successful bookie, certain essential skills are necessary. Risk management, recordkeeping, customer service, and data protection are all vital components of a successful sports betting business. A thorough understanding of sports is also crucial, as it allows the bookie to make informed decisions when setting odds and managing risk.
Effective negotiation skills are also essential when interacting with potential betters, licensing authorities, and their personnel. Utilizing a reliable pay per head provider is paramount to ensuring the smooth operation of your sportsbook, allowing you to focus on expanding your business and attracting more players.
Steps to Launch Your Own Sportsbook
Launching your own sportsbook involves several critical steps, including choosing a sports betting platform, designing your sportsbook website, obtaining a license, integrating payments, and implementing marketing strategies. By carefully following these steps and avoiding common pitfalls, you can set yourself up for success in the sports betting industry.
A pay per head company can be an invaluable resource during this process, providing an all-inclusive service with a professional sportsbook website where they manage all lines internally and update all odds in real-time. This enables you to concentrate on expanding your business and attracting more players, without getting bogged down in the technical aspects of running a sportsbook.
Choosing a Sports Betting Platform
Selecting the right sports betting platform is crucial for the success of your sportsbook business. There are several types of sports betting platforms available, including white-label sportsbooks, turnkey operations, and off-the-shelf sportsbooks from a software provider. Each option has its pros and cons, so it’s essential to carefully consider your needs and resources before making a decision.
Factors to consider when choosing a sports betting platform include user-friendliness, the selection of sports and events to bet on, provision of odds, payment methods, risk management systems, and reviews. Taking the time to research and evaluate different platforms will ensure that you select the best option for your sportsbook business.
Designing Your Sportsbook Website
The design of your sportsbook website is another critical aspect of launching your own sportsbook. A well-crafted website should feature an extensive selection of sports and competitions in both pre-game and live betting, as well as an intuitive and user-friendly interface. Essential features to include on your website are a user menu, sports menu, team and player stats, language options, a schedule of sporting events, a banner link to payment options, and a summary of recent matches.
Engaging a qualified website designer is crucial to ensure your sportsbook website is visually appealing and functional. An unappealing and disorderly design could drive potential customers away, so it’s essential to invest in a professional website design that will attract and retain users.
Licensing and Legal Considerations
Obtaining a license is one of the most challenging aspects of becoming a bookie, but it is a necessary step to ensure the legality and legitimacy of your sportsbook business. The licensing process can involve significant fees, so it’s essential to be prepared for this expense when starting your sportsbook business.
Additionally, it’s crucial to be aware of the legal requirements and standards applicable to the advertising of betting companies, as well as the compliance issues associated with offering free bets and promotions. Ensuring that your sportsbook business adheres to all relevant laws and regulations will help protect you from potential legal issues down the line.
Payment Integration and Security
Secure payment systems are vital for sportsbook businesses, as they reduce risk and enable efficient operations. When integrating payment systems into your sportsbook, consider offering a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies, to cater to a wide range of customer preferences.
Utilizing cryptocurrencies for sportsbook payments has several advantages, such as fast processing speed, anonymity, cost-effectiveness, and a lack of dependence on a single provider. By providing secure and diverse payment options, you can attract more customers and ensure the smooth operation of your sportsbook business.
Marketing Strategies and Customer Acquisition
Effective marketing strategies are essential for acquiring new customers and expanding your bookie business. Some proven techniques include identifying and segmenting target audiences, social media marketing, affiliate marketing, content marketing, and email marketing. In-venue marketing techniques, such as placing booths in dedicated areas and offering gift cards and promotional codes, can also be effective in attracting customers.
In addition to marketing, customer acquisition relies on providing exceptional customer service and satisfaction. Offering event-specific bonuses and maintaining novelties internally can assist with customer retention and encourage new customers to place bets with your sportsbook.
Jessica McKay, the artist formerly known as Billy Kay in WWE, revealed that she is pregnant and expecting her first child.
McKay uploaded a video on her social media with a sign saying “Baby arriving December 2023” and a photo of her scan. The video was accompanied by the words, “I’m waiting for your love.”
The former member of the IIconics last wrestled in April of last year, tag teaming with her partner Cassie Lee in Impact Wrestling. The duo then announced that they are leaving professional wrestling to pursue other projects and Lee then revealed she was pregnant. She gave birth this past January.
The Australian McKay, who turns 34 later this month, spent six years in WWE before joining Impact Wrestling with Lee and renamed themselves to The IInspiration.
New York, NY (June 8, 2023): FITE announced that International Wrestling Syndicate has joined the FITE+ SVOD platform with both live and archived events and its weekly show Bloodstream now available as part of the subscription platform. Founded in 1998, IWS is known for many firsts – including being the first Canadian promotion to broadcast in both French and English. But it’s truly famous for its own hardcore style of wrestling – something you can still see in former IWS stars like Speedball Mike Bailey, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn of WWE and Angelo Parker & Matt Menard of AEW’s 3point0.
IWS’s importance is also seen in the incredible collaborations they’ve done with promotions like NJPW, Game Changer Wrestling, AEW and more.
“We love our Canadian viewers and now we’re so happy to bring the country’s homegrown talent powerhouse to a bigger audience on FITE+,” said Michael Weber, Co-Founder and COO of FITE. “These guys have put in the work for decades building a promotion with high production values that just never lets up.”
“People tell us all the time that the atmosphere at a live IWS event is like a giant party, it’s electric!” said Manny Eleftheriou, Founder of IWS. “We can’t wait to bring that atmosphere to the entire world!”
FITE+, the Best Value in Combat Sports, is only $7.99 monthly and $69.99 yearly. New customers can enjoy a 7-day free trial. Subscribers get a special selection of premium events from pro wrestling promotions including Major League Wrestling, Game Changer Wrestling, Insane Championship Wrestling, NJPW U.S. past events and more; as well as the ultra red-hot Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship events and other leading boxing, MMA and grappling promotions such as: Triller Fight Club, Fight2Win, SlapFight Championship, and Shamrock FC. The subscription also offers unlimited on-demand access to the entire FITE+ library with over 4000 hours from more than 100 organizations from around the world.
Speaking to TMZ in a six-minute interview, WWE Hall of Fame Sgt Slaughter reflected on the passing of his dear friend, rival, and co-worker The Iron Sheik.
“He just had so much love for wrestling. Not only the amateur style that he learned…that was his survival in Iran,” Slaughter said.
Slaughter met Sheik when he was at a Verne Gagne training camp in Minnesota along with fellow Hall of Famer Ric Flair and the two hit it off, becoming friends and eventually even worked together.
“Whether people know this or not, he loved you, he loved his fans. He just loved to perform and he loved children, he loved young children,” Slaughter continued. “But once he went through that locker room toward the ring, he was all business, he was The Iron Sheik. As I was, and as most are but he was exceptionally that way because he just loved the business that he was in.”
After working against each other in the early 80s with a famous Boot Camp match to finish off the feud, the two teamed up when Slaughter went heel in the early 90s and Sheik, as Colonel Mustafa, began managing him along with General Adnan.
Asked by TMZ if being a heel and the hate affected Sheik, Slaughter said it was never difficult for him and instead, it just fueled more fire.
“He was a character. I was a character. But we both had families and we loved our families,” Slaughter continued.
“God bless him. He’s finally gonna see his daughter that he lost. Love you Sheik. Love you forever,” he concluded.
While there’s no news if Collision will air on regular television in the United Kingdom, FITE TV will be airing the show live every week as part of their AEW Plus subscription.
AEW Plus is a $6.99 per month subscription which includes live Dynamite, Rampage, Battle of the Belts as well as the full catalog of Elevation and Elevation: Dark. The subscription also includes previous episodes of Dynamite and Rampage.
Collision so far is only airing in the United States on TNT and while the first several episodes will take place from Canada, there’s no news if anyone in Canada will actually air the broadcast yet.
If you’re in the United Kingdom, you can sign up to AEW Plus at https://www.fite.tv/join/aew-plus/. It includes a seven day free trial and you can cancel at any time.
NXT drew 615,000 viewers this week, up 8,000 viewers from the previous week. The show drew a 0.17 rating in the 18-49 demo, the same as last week, and was #5 in the top 50 cable chart for the night. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Adam Cole’s road to the AEW World championship will begin next week when he takes on MJF in an eliminator match.
The two crossed paths last night on Dynamite, with MJF dropping several zingers at Cole from his WWE time. MJF said that he thought old man Vince lost his mind back then when he let Cole go but now he thinks Vince was right not to believe that Cole was a top guy.
He then also passed a comment, referring to Cole as “Keith Lee’s manager,” something that WWE apparently thought about before Cole packed his bags and left WWE for AEW.
If Cole can beat MJF next week, he will earn a title shot at a future date. Eliminator matches usually end up with the champion winning and the match never revisited but this is the start of the MJF/Cole feud so the end result could be different this time around.
Collision’s first main event will feature the in-ring return of CM Punk and he will team up with FTR to take on Samoa Joe, Jay White, and Juice Robinson in a trios match.
The match was announced by AEW President Tony Khan last night on Dynamite, his fourth Collision-related announcement in a row since the show was confirmed.
The show will take place from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois and it will serve as the perfect backdrop for Punk’s return, his first time on AEW TV since the All Out pay-per-view in September 2022.
Meanwhile, Khan also sang Punk’s praises in a story with Sports Illustrated, saying that he’s very important to All Elite Wrestling.
“To the fans, he’s very important. He’s very important to the company, too,” Khan said. “He’s been a big draw for us and historically throughout his career, and the launch of the new show happens to line up with the schedule on his rehab of his triceps injury.”
Longtime wrestling seamstress Sandra Gray, who has been working for AEW since the company launched in 2019, is retiring.
Her retirement was celebrated before Dynamite went on the air, with Gray appearing on stage along with many AEW stars and President Tony Khan who presented her with a flower bouquet.
Gray originally worked for WCW in the mid 1990s after Rena Mero, who later became Sable, recruited her to create her husband’s gear. She then moved to WWE when WWE bought WCW. She remained with WWE until 2015 and was featured several times on the Total Divas reality show on E!
Gray is also Cody Rhodes’ seamstress and she’s the one who creates all his gear, including his beautiful robes.
AEW Dynamite tonight comes to us from the Broadmoor World Arena in Denver, CO. After last week drawing 923,000 & 0.29 in the 18-49 demo.
*****
Orange Cassidy vs Swerve Strickland (International Title)
Backstory: The final two in the DoN battle royal, Swerve then defeated Big Bill & Trent to get this shot
Might be the last time Cassidy opens the show for a while – smells like a title change. Sounds and looks like a decent crowd as the announcers further emphasized Cassidy’s busy schedule of defenses.
Strickland brought Prince Nana with him but left the rest of his gang behind as they showed his route to this match.
A disinterested Cassidy chilled in the corner as the crowd chanted for him. The announcers again emphasized his various bandages and injuries. As Cassidy went right to the pockets. Swerve avoided the various shenanigans: countering out of an armdrag, blocking the double-leg lift and avoiding a clothesline.
Then wrestled the champ down to grab a quick one count. Before working a head/face lock, keeping Cassidy grounded as he switched to working over the hand. Orange rolled his way free, into a modified abdominal stretch.
Then up into a tejeiras, before baiting and olay-ing Swerve through the ropes, only for the challenger to bait Cassidy outside by putting his hands in his pockets. Where he began to fling Orange into the barricades and smashed his Punch hand twice against the ringpost.
Back inside, he hit a running elbow in the corner, caught Cassidy on his shoulders – Cassidy tried to counter via hurracanrana to the outside, Swerve landed on his feet with Orange still atop his shoulders. Where Cassidy finally hit the hurracarana. Then a tope.
Back inside, to the top: diving cross body, Swerve slugged him, flung him to the apron, went upstairs, Cassidy met him there, both crashed down to the ringside mats.
Break.
Both blocked moves until Swerve hit a boot, Cassidy responded via superkick, Swerve looked for a suplex, Cassidy got stundog, Swerve missed a dropkick but rolled into his leaping flatliner to catch Cassidy coming off the ropes.
Things’re picking up.
Holding the champ by the hair, Strickland fired gut shots, Cassidy baited him into a backslide for two, up into a tornado ddt for another, the crowd firmly behind him. As he headed upstairs. Swerve to the apron, where he snatched Cassidy off into a DVD onto the hardest part of the ring.
Before Swerve hopped up top, readying the Stomp, Cassidy backed himself out of range, both on the apron, where Orange hit a big boot, another, a third, Strickland wobbling before being planted with a ddt off the apron to the floor. Another followed from the top for 2.9.
Frustrated, he looked for the Punch, Swerve blocked it but was hit with a hurracanrana into a pin for another very close call. Cassidy unable to maintain his grip due to his injured hand.
Nana hit the apron, only serving to distract Strickland, allowing for the Punch, Beach Break, Swerve kicked out! So close. He immediately rolled outside to safety.
The crowd chanting TiA as Orange flung himself after Swerve via tope, only to be caught into a brainbuster at ringside. Chants of AEDub now as they returned to the ring, Swerve missing his leaping heelkick, Cassidy bagging two via rollup, Swerve hitting the heelkick, to the top, Stomp ready, Stomp hit, another kickout!
Crowd frenzied.
JML Driver ready, counter, both rolled in and out of pins, until Cassidy finally managed to hold Strickland down for three by grabbing the tights (which Swerve had also tried to do).
In disbelief, Swerve looked on as his boys hit the ring to beat down Cassidy. Until the lights went out. For quite a long time. Coming back up to reveal Sting and Darby in the ring – with weapons – the crowd wild, the heels powdering.
Fantastic opener. Honestly surprised Swerve didn’t win. But that’s the beauty of this run and simple story. It’s fun to actually wonder who’ll win.
Winner: Orange Cassidy
Jay White/Ricky Starks package hyping the main event. Ricky said he had no boundaries. White said it was his era.
*****
Bryan Danielson’s music hit as Excalibur called him the greatest wrestler of all time and revealed his challenge to Kazuchika Okada. They played a package of the pair’s promos from last weekend. The gist being they both think they’re the best. Danielson vowed to ‘leave (Okada) in the desert, and there ain’t gonna be no rain’. Nice line.
Thought he might be coming out for a promo to properly hype that match for people who don’t watch New Japan. But no, he’s hitting the commentary booth again.
Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta vs Best Friends & Rocky Romero
Backstory: BCC’s opponents here are part of Okada’s CHAOS faction, who BCC are feuding with in NJPW (& Danielson challenged Okada for Forbidden Door)
I get that this theoretically continues the feud, but unless there’s some sort of angle here, it’s a pointless match to which we all know the outcome.
Excalibur explained the whole ‘CHAOS’ thing. ‘It’s interesting that these are the people Okada likes to hang out with’ noted Danielson. As Wild Thing hit to a huge pop. Continues to be a mindF.
Barely had Mox made it over the barricade when Chuck threw a chair, Rocky came off the top and Trent hauled Yuta upstairs for a superplex. Taylor hit a stuffed piledriver, two only – Castagnoli making the save.
Allowing Yuta to tag him in. The Swiss went to work booting Taylor against the ropes, Mox in, Trent and Yuta fighting outside as all six squared off in a chaotic brawl in and outside the ring. Taylor hit a plancha to someone – then the faces did a triple stupid-hug.
Before Trent planted Mox with soulfood half and half – Danielson incredulous at the lack of a cover. Yuta and Claudio combined for a Hart Attack and a stomp.
Ads.
Taylor fought off Yuta who bounced back to hit a German then a knee strike in the corner. Double tags – Trent and Mox, the face on top: backdrop, chops against the ropes, Mox hit a boot, Romero came in to hit a hurracanrana, another, Roppongi Vice hit a double knee strike to Mox, Romero off the top, Trent a shining wizard, two only.
Moxley had Trent setup for a piledriver, Beretta countered to hit Strong Zero with Chuck. Claudio in and quickly out via back body drop.
Romero in, flying cross-armbreaker to Mox, locked in dead-center, as Beretta looked for a moonsault to Claudio outside and was met with an uppercut. As we returned to the ring with Mox having countered into a Bulldog choke for the tap, Yuta firing H&A elbows to Taylor, even after the bell had already rung.
Frenzied action; outcome too predictable.
The crowd sang the heels’ theme and celebrated their victory.
This was classic AEW – assuming people already know who Okada is, why he’s important, and how big a match vs Danielson is. Essentially, if you’re not a hardcore fan, you probably don’t know and they didn’t bother to tell you. So why would you care? They needed to do much more to put that match across to their worldwide tv audience.
Winner: BCC
Hung Bucks backstage – Page congratulated the BCC on their win. Next week AEW are in Washington, where Dynamite started. Anarchy(itA) was only the beginning. Essentially, they challenged Mox, Claudio and Yuta to a six-man. Danielson accepted from the commentary booth. Noting that the first Dynamite was the Elite’s first appearance on national tv. And next week will be their last.
Glad they’re continuing this even amidst all the Forbidden Door stuff.
No mention of Kenny this week.
*****
Video package hyping Omega vs Ospreay II. Ospreay vowed to bring the IWGP US title back to Japan. Again, a ton of assuming. There was nothing here to explain any of this to anyone who doesn’t watch everything both companies do.
*****
The fans were already chanting ‘MJF’ before his music even hit.
Max heeled on the local crowd for two solid minutes – ‘Colorado, your mother swallows’ – before moving on to the lack of competition for his title. Adam Cole and his music disagreed.
Though MJF made them ‘cut it’ before the ‘BAY BAY’ crowd participation part. To boos. Max said he was excited, finally some worthy competition. He’s a ‘big fan’ of Cole. After CM Punk ‘left me when I was a kid’, he tuned into Ring of Honor (asking the crowd if they’d even heard of it). Which mostly featured ‘jabronis’. Other than Adam Cole.
Max was ‘instantly hooked’, watching everything of Cole’s he could get his hands on. Then he became ‘Shawn Michaels’ hand-picked guy’, ‘the best champ in the history of that company’, ‘and that is Undisputed’.
The crowd chanted ‘mark!’. Max agreed. He’d looked forward to the day they could meet in the ring, until Cole actually got to AEW. Making fun of him for playing video games. And for Britt being in control of him. Then making fun of his current physique.
Before referencing people online saying the company wasn’t ‘showcasing’ Cole properly. But Max disagreed, the company had tried everything to make Cole seem ‘cool’. While the only thing MJF needs to seem ‘cool’ is for the bell to ring. He’s beaten ‘every top guy’. What makes Cole think he’s different?
Then referred to Vince McMahon, by name, not believing Cole had ‘top guy potential’. Max said he was a ‘big fan’ of Vince. And at the time didn’t understand how anyone could not see ‘top guy’ in Cole. But now, ‘I think Vince was right’.
After standing and taking all of that, Cole finally took the mic. To wonder if that was the best Max could do. He’s going to ignore the Britt part since she could beat up Max anyway. But why’s he so obsessed with other peoples’ relationships? Maybe because his fiancée left him?
Then called him a ‘world class douchebag’. Before flipping the ‘body’ comment into ‘my body of work’ – ‘you can’t touch me’. He then dared Max to join him in taking a piss test to see ‘who’s natural and who’s not’.
‘We are nothing alike’. The people in the back respect Cole. There isn’t a single one who respects MJF. He does the ‘bare minimum’ to collect his paycheck and his title. Reiterating that ‘no-one respects you!’ Sparking a ‘no respect’ chant from a very good crowd.
‘That’s an awful lot of tough talk coming from Keith Lee’s manager’, responded MJF. (Is it okay to hate the insider stuff and still laugh?)
Cole said that was classic – if Max was really tough, he’d be challenging Cole by now, but instead he’s trying to change the subject. ‘If you remember anything from our conversation, remember this – you won’t fight me, cause I’m better than you, and they (pointing to the crowd) know it’.
Max snapped, vowing to wrestle Cole any day of the week. Cole gave him a patronizing ‘attaboy’ after manipulating the champ, then did his ‘BAY BAY’ thing the crowd were deprived of on the way in.
I loathe all this insider stuff. Cole was pretty good but this didn’t make me remotely interested in seeing this match. Maybe they can fight in Vince McMahon’s office next with a huge banner in the back saying ‘WWE #1’?
*****
They showed footage of Matt Hardy and etc. winning Ethan Page’s contract. Then went to them backstage. Unfortunately, Brother Zay was there too.
Jeff told Page he was really good. Matt made Ethan apologize for nearly breaking Zay’s neck. Zay kinda accepted. Matt said he could make Page a better man. Zay ‘moaned’.
And I thought it was a shame the heels didn’t manage to injure him for longer.
Jack Perry & Hook vs La Faccion Ingobernables (Tornado Tag)
Backstory: Perry saved Hook from an attack by LFI last week
AEW seem to have dropped the JungleHook name.
The heels attacked while the faces were making their entrance. Perry flung Dralistico into a Hook hip-toss. Hook then stalked Jose round ringside and somehow couldn’t see Preston Vance round the corner, even though he was visible on camera. He walloped Hook with a lariat.
In-ring, Dralistico choked Perry with a chain. In the crowd, Hook wailed away on Vance with crossfaces.
Break.
Dralistico hit a stomp off the buckle as Hook hip-tossed Vance back over the barricade to ringside. Then clocked him with a chain-assisted punch. Vance was pouring blood afterward. (Might’ve been hard way. Still overdone.)
Perry hit him with a tope suicida, Dralistico followed via diving cross body. The heels looked to chokeslam Hook through a table at ringside, Hook nearly Big E’d Dralistico with a throw (I say it to make a point, no-one should be suplexing anyone outside like that).
Inside, Vance choked Hook with the chain then dragged him to the apron, Perry hit him in the head with a chair, Hook T-Bone’d him off the apron through the table. And somehow it wasn’t the finish. Both covered in blood.
Perry went after Dralistico, Jose interfered, Perry backed Jose into Redrum then drop toe hold-ed and Snare Trapped his way to victory over Dralistico.
This was gross. Perry’s stuck back in the mid card. More importantly, a nothing middle-of-the-show match was filled with stupidly dangerous bumps and pints of blood.
A lot of people are now pretty convinced Perry will use Hook for a heel turn. If that does happen, it shouldn’t be until All Out at the absolute minimum.
Winner: Jack Perry & Hook
Tony Khan’s latest announcement. The main event at the inaugural Collision will be:
Jay White, Juice Robinson & Samoa Joe vs FTR & CM Punk
Ouch! The response was even worse this week: from middling to boos. Punk’s supposedly asked to work with both White and Joe and we know his relationship with FTR. Should be a belter of a match. And a nice spot for White to be in assuming he remains there. Also makes one think he’s probably winning later?
Anyway, stay tuned for next week’s announcement of Collision’s lighting and ring crews.
Konosuke Takeshita vs Damon Ace
Backstory: None
Takeshita came out to no music. He and Callis got some boos but nothing close to last week. Excalibur did at least name Takeshita’s opponent as he went right to ground and pound then threw knees in the corner.
The import smashed Ace with a forearm to the back of the head then a running knee strike to bag the quick win.
Boos got a little stronger as Callis hit the ring. And stronger still as he began to speak. Takeshita again cut an aggressive promo in Japanese – ‘Kenny Omega’ the only thing in English.
Callis said he was here to tell us about Omega. Everything he and the Elite have is because of Callis. Omega beat Ospreay because of Callis. He won’t stop till he takes Omega out of the company.
Takeshita’s facials and demeanor etc. are excellent. They scream ‘heel’. For a guy who can’t communicate verbally, those things are very important.
Winner: Konosuke Takeshita
Alex Marvez was outside Christian Cage’s locker room. There were grunts from inside. Christian said Arn Anderson cost him the title. Since he did that, he’s taking something from Arn. Luchasaurus exited, revealing a bloody and beaten Brock Anderson.
Kris Statlander vs Anna Jay (TBS)
Backstory: Zip, Zilch, Zero
Matt Menard followed Anna to the ring. So no need to wonder why his nipples are hard this week 😉.
Statlander got a nice pop from the crowd.
Right to a lockup, headlock, takedown, Jay slipped out to grab a headscissors. The pair wrestled in and out of the headlock/headscissors for a couple minutes. As Taz confusingly heeled on Matt Menard.
Anna looked for a headlock of her own, Statlander countered into a belly to back, kipping up to bask in the cheers of the crowd and flex. A genuine smile on her face. Until Jay bailed outside, playing hide and seek until Menard distracted the champ, though Statlander was ready, catching a kick and tripping Jay down to the apron.
And following her inside to launch a roundhouse and a shoulder tackle for barely two. Statlander missed a charge in the corner, allowing Jay to strike with a very nice roundhouse of her own as the ads arrived.
Back on top, Statlander didn’t miss this time with a charge in the corner, a running knee lift then an explosive powerslam for two. As Taya Valkyrie again looked furious watching backstage.
The champ went topside, Menard hit the apron, Jay clocked Statlander and hooked her onto her back for a face-first slam and two of her own. Right to the Queenslayer, Statlander backed Jay to the corner to free herself, hit a discus lariat, Menard hit the apron AGAIN.
Allowing Jay to roll her through into the Queenslayer on the mat. Statlander powered to her feet, snapmared herself free, backbreaker/lariat combo, tombstone, win.
This was pretty entertaining. Certainly better than I expected: Statlander was over, her moves were crisp and explosive.
Would’ve been even better if it ended just a couple minutes earlier when the crowd were at their hottest (and of course without the excessive interference). Would’ve made it seem more of a statement win.
Backstage, Taya continued to look furious.
Winner: Kris Statlander
Toni Storm & Ruby Soho backstage to address the Rampage four-way. They’ll ‘be watching’ since the winner will face the ‘greatest women’s champion who ever lived’. Soho again fawned over Storm.
Jay White vs Ricky Starks (Juice Robinson & FTR banned)
Backstory: The culmination of Starks’ feud with Bullet Club Gold after he and White wrestled to a non-finish last time
Either way this finishes will be interesting: Starks has gone flat since defeating Jericho; White’s run so far has been underwhelming. Both need the win.
I’m thinking Samoa Joe actually helps White win now after that Collision match was announced.
Starks hit the ramp to attack White while he was making his entrance, fists firing, stomps and gut shots. Into the ring, he immediately flung White back out, introducing him to the barricade then flinging a chop before kissing the hand of a lady at ringside (love the way Starks genuinely interacts with the fans).
After being sent back in, White rolled out the other side only to be met there and hit with more of the same. White tried a shot from the apron as they briefly made it to the ring. Starks blocked it and sent him back out. This is 100% Starks thus far.
With Starks setting up the ring steps, White tried to flee, Starks caught him atop the ramp, continuing the beating, looking to fling White off the stage; White raked the eyes before making a beeline for the ring. But being dragged back out, where he finally got some offense in, dropping Starks face-first against the apron.
Only to be suplexed onto the ringside mats.
Ads. It’s certainly not been bad but Starks has totally dominated so far. Making it seem even more likely the new boy’s winning.
Ricky down as we returned, he stumbled up to eat chops in the corner, White very deliberately sizing him up. Allowing Starks to fire rights but be cut-off looking for a tornado ddt and dumped nads-first atop the buckle.
Hauling Ricky off via superplex, White bagged two with the first pin attempt of the match. Then signalled Bladerunner. Starks blocked it, White missed a charge in the corner, Starks blasted him with a lariat, tornado ddt, high stack, close two.
Getting the same result via uranage, Starks tried to hook Roshambeaux, White dead-weighted him to plant him with a high-angle uranage for two. Great-looking move.
To their feet, chops and slaps in the middle, White kicked the knee then got his knee up to block a Spear, Bladerunner attempt countered, White slipped behind, Starks freed himself to hit the ropes then a Spear. Roshambeaux ready, he hit it but White’s feet clipped the ref (groan).
The Gunns came out to hit Starks with their finish. White dragged a groggy Starks up into the Bladerunner to ensure the win.
Guess the Gunns are Bullet Club Gold. Though they fled through the crowd. As Juice Robinson hit the ring to hump the mat and hold White’s arm aloft.
After last week’s excellent show, this was a fitting end to this one. Bad-WWE style booking seeing one guy dominate and the other win on a fluke since they didn’t really want either to lose.
No idea what this was supposed to achieve. Because Starks was so dominant, it didn’t even hit the heights it could’ve in-ring.
And the only good stuff tonight was the in-ring. And that’s why they can’t sell tickets.
Two title matches and another announcement from Tony Khan will headline Dynamite from Colorado Springs tonight live on TBS.
The main event will feature Orange Cassidy defend his AEW International title against Swerve Strickland while TBS champion Kris Statlander defends her title against Anna JAS in the second title match of the night.
Plus, Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta battle Trent Beretta, Rocky Romero, and Chuck Taylor in a six-man tag match, Jay White takes on Ricky Starks, and Jack Perry and Hook team up to wrestle Preston Vance and Dralistico in a Texas Tornado match.
AEW President Tony Khan will be in attendance to announce the first main event of Collision and we’ll also hear from AEW champion MJF.
The wrestling world is mourning the death of The Iron Sheik, the charismatic former WWF champion who passed away at the age of 81 today.
“WWE is saddened to learn that Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, known the world over as WWE Hall of Famer The Iron Sheik, passed away on Wednesday, June 7, at age 81,” said a WWE statement. “WWE extends its condolences to The Iron Sheik’s family, friends and fans.”
The company also profiled The Iron Sheik with a story on their WWE.COM website.
All Elite Wrestling also tweeted a statement following the news of his passing.
“AEW joins the wrestling world in mourning the passing of the Iron Sheik. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fans,” AEW said.
The news of The Iron Sheik’s death was also covered quickly by mainstream media, including ESPN, The New York Post, Daily Mail, Bleacher Report, NBC News, Variety, TMZ, The Hollywood Reporter, CBS News, People, Deadline, Sports Illustrated, The Washington Post, and many others.
Several wrestling stars from past and present used social media to tweet their thoughts on the man who liked to break everyone’s back and make them humble!
Triple H: “The legend. An all-time great performer and WWE Hall of Famer who brought his character to life and transcended our business. My condolences to The Iron Sheik’s family, friends and fans.”
Jake “The Snake” Roberts: “RIP to my old friend The Iron Sheik. A true icon and someone who left a mark on wrestling that can never be erased. Another great one gone.”
MLW: “MLW is saddened to hear of the passing of the Iron Sheik, Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri. RIP, legend.”
Ric Flair: “My dear friend Khosrow Vaziri!!! We started wrestling together in 1972. Seems like so long ago! We crossed paths so many times over the years & you were always so entertaining. The greatest line you ever said to me in 1972: “If I had your hair, I would be with Elizabeth Taylor!” Rest in peace my friend. Be as entertaining to God as you were to all of us!”
Miro: “Iron Sheik had a huge influence in my career. Back in FCW (WWE DEVELOPMENTAL SYSTEM) DAYS I had no idea about speaking on the microphone. then i went and studied his ability and that’s where things started to turn. Legit wrestler, pro wrestler and amazing entertainer. RIP”
Renee Paquette: “RIP Sheiky Baby”
Natalya: “NOTHING BUT LOVE AND RESPECT to the Iron Sheik. The wrestling world has lost an icon and a very special person.”
Cauliflower Alley Club: “The legendary and iconic pro wrestling bad guy the Iron Sheik has passed away at the age of 81. We send our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and fans of the world over and thank him for the many incredible memories he lives behind. R.I.P. Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri.”
Pat McAfee: “RIP to the legend The Iron Sheik”
John “Bradshaw” Layfield: “Love Mr Sheik! So many good times. He thought my name was Brad Shaw, two names. He met my dad and said “ah, Mr Shaw, your boy Brad is such a fine young man”. Love you Mr Sheik. RIP you legend.”
Dark Side of the Ring: “RIP to @The_IronSheik. An integral part of the ‘80s wrestling boom, he played the part of the “foreign heel” to perfection and became an unlikely pop culture icon in his post-wrestling life. Our condolences to his family and friends.”
It was announced today that WWE Hall of Famer The Iron Sheik has passed away at the age of 81.
The news came from his official social media accounts which wrote that although it is “with great sadness that they share the news, they also take solace in knowing that he departed this world peacefully, leaving behind a legacy that will endure for generations to come.”
Sheik, real name Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, was married and leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Caryl, children Tanya, Nikki, Marissa, and son-in-law Eddie.
No cause of death was announced.
While portraying a heel for most of his career, The Iron Sheik was a beloved member of the wrestling community and gained more following after he launched his Twitter account with his team. The hilarious tweets, often vulgar, were always written in caps.
Born in Iran, he was an assistant Olympic coach for Team USA in the 70s after he moved to the United States and was a National AAU champion gold medalist in 1971.
He started his wrestling career in 1972, working for the AWA and then briefly for the WWF in the late 70s. He joined the Jim Crocket Promotions where he got the name The Iron Sheik in 1980 and wrestled for Mid-South Wrestling, Championship Wrestling from Florida, and Georgia Championship Wrestling before returning to the WWF in 1983.
After he returned to the WWF, he challenged Bob Backlund for the title and won the title on December 26, 1983 in Madison Square Garden after Backlund’s manager Arnold Skaaland threw in the towel to end the match.
His reign as champion was short, and less than a month later, Sheik found himself wrestling Hulk Hogan at Madison Square Garden and on January 21, 1984, Hulkamania was born after Hogan pinned Sheik for the title. Sheik transitioned to tag team wrestling after that and began partnering with Nikolai Volkoff.
He left in 1987 after he and Jim Duggan were arrested when they were pulled over, with Duggan found under the influence of marijuana and Sheik on cocaine. He did return a year later but left a few months after he returned in February 1988.
Sheik also had a two-year stint with WCW before making his third return to the WWF in 1991, teaming up with Sgt Slaughter as Colonel Mustafa.
He made sporadic appearances for WWE in the years after that and last appeared on an episode of Raw in 2010.
He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 and is a former World Heavyweight and Tag Team champion.
With no NBA head-to-head but still going against the NHL Stanley Cup finals, Raw drew 1,828,000 viewers this week, up 217,000 viewers from the prior week. This was the most-watched show since April 3.
In the first hour, Raw drew 1,827,000 viewers, then increased to 1,898,000 viewers in the second, and dropped to 1,759,000 viewers in the third and final hour.
Raw was #1, #2, and #4 in the top 50 cable chart for the night among the 18-49 demo, with 0.58, 0.56, and 0.53 for an average of 0.56, up 0.04 from last week. Taking in the average number, Raw was #1 on all of cable and network television on Monday. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Haley and Hanna Cavinder appeared on WWE television for the first time last night on NXT after they teased an appearance earlier in the day on social media.
The former basketball stars and popular social media personalities were signed to a WWE NIL deal last year and just started training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.
The Cavinder twins ended their Miami Hurricanes stint after one year, surprising those in the industry as they had one more year of eligibility.
“Hanna and I have decided to not take our fifth year and start a new chapter in our lives. The U will always be home and we are forever proud to be Hurricanes,” Haley said at the time.
The 22-year-olds from South Bend, Indiana, have 4.5 million followers on TikTok and uploaded a video from inside the NXT ring yesterday. Hanna then tweeted photos from there writing, “You may see your new fav tag team in the ring tonight.”
Chase U’s Thea Hail won a women’s battle royal last night on NXT to become the #1 contender for the NXT Women’s title, currently held by Tiffany Stratton.
Hail vanished at some point during the match, leaving Fallon Henley, Kiana James, Cora Jade, and surprise entrant Dana Brooke as the final four. James got eliminated by Henley, and Brooke then threw out Henley, leaving the final two with Brooke and Cora Jade.
But Hail reemerged, and having not been thrown over the top, she quickly rejoined the battle royal. With both Brooke and Jade fighting, it was Hail who sent both over the top rope, winning the battle royal.
Chase U students then came out to celebrate with Thea and was then lifted up by Hanna and Haley Cavinder, the newest twins signed by WWE.
Former two-time NXT champion Bron Breakker challenged World Heavyweight champion Seth Rollins to a title match in the show-closing angle on NXT last night.
As Breakker was leaving the arena, he was questioned why he attacked Ilja Dragunov and Breakker said that he can’t let Dragunov spill lies about how Ilja is the most intense guy in WWE, because Bron Breakker is. He said that he will hold everyone accountable from now on, starting from the top and all the way down to the bottom.
And speaking of the top, Breakker turned his sights to Rollins. He said Rollins was the first NXT champion and he’s the most dominant NXT champion. Rollins knows how they do things down in NXT so he should come over.
“Why don’t you come here and put the WWE World Heavyweight championship on the line against me?” asked Breakker.
There have been talks lately to have main roster members pop down to NXT every now and then to keep things fresh.
Episode one of season four of Dark Side of the Ring, featuring the subjects of Chris Candido and Tammy “Sunny” Sytch, drew 147,000 viewers and a 0.05 rating in the 18-49 demo. That was down from the season three finale which drew 154,000 viewers but same demo. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Rampage on Friday drew 357,000 viewers, down 79,000 viewers from the previous week. The show did a 0.12 rating in the 18-49 demo, up 0.01 from last week and was #12 on the top 50 cable chart for the night. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
First came the announcement of the show, then came the announcement of the first location, then the announcement of CM Punk’s return, and now comes yet another announcement on Collision.
Collision announcements keep getting milked by AEW President Tony Khan on Dynamite as Khan will appear once again – his fourth week in a row – to make the announcement of what match will main event the premiere episode of Collision on Saturday, June 17.
At this point, AEW has not revealed if they will be going with the rumored roster split, but those advertised heavily for Collision have not appeared on Dynamite lately.
The June 17 episode of Collision will take place from the United Center in Chicago with the real main event being the return of CM Punk, his first appearance on AEW television since All Out in September 2022.
