Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.
The latest updates on Ric Flair’s condition following the health issues that he’s been battling continue to be positive.
WWE posted an update on Flair’s status today, with it noting that he is recovering and set to begin physical therapy shortly. That came after Wendy Barlow, Flair’s fiancee and formerly Fifi the Maid as an on-screen character in WCW, announced the news on Facebook.
She wrote: “I wanted to update everyone on Ric’s progress as So many people have been reaching out and offering their Prayers and Support. He is doing very well for a Man who has been through so much! He will begin Physical Therapy shortly and will be stronger than ever and back out enjoying all the fans sooner than you would think. I can Honestly say I have witnessed a Miracle.”
A message from Flair’s social media accounts was also sent out this morning. It said: “Sometimes you have to get knocked down lower than you have ever been, to stand up taller than you ever were. The Nature Boy will be back better than ever. Keep up the well wishes!”
Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez discussed Flair’s status on last night’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio. Meltzer said that Flair is out of bed and doing better, but he has a ways to go despite being “out of the water” and his condition improving.
Charlotte Flair will return to WWE television tonight for the first time since her father was hospitalized on August 12th. She worked the SmackDown house show tour over the weekend as well.
John Cena and Roman Reigns set up their No Mercy match with a great segment on Raw last night. They exchanged words until being interrupted by Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson, which led to Cena & Reigns teaming up for the second straight week.
Sasha Banks also looked to defend her Raw Women’s Championship for the first time against Alexa Bliss, a 15-man battle royal decided who would challenge for The Miz’s Intercontinental title next week, and Brock Lesnar even had a brief message for Braun Strowman.
After winning a number one contender’s battle royal on Raw tonight, Jeff Hardy will get a shot at The Miz’s Intercontinental Championship next week.
The number one contender’s match was made by Kurt Angle after interrupting Miz in the opening segment of tonight’s show. Miz said that Angle doesn’t respect him or the title, with Angle replying that he would give the title the showcase it deserves by having Miz defend it next week against the winner of a 15-man battle royal.
Jeff last eliminated Jason Jordan to get the title shot. Jordan had eliminated Elias, Curtis Axel, and Bo Dallas immediately before that, with them having been the final five after Bray Wyatt interfered and threw out Finn Balor. Before that, there was a brief tease of a Balor Club reunion as Balor, Karl Anderson, and Luke Gallows eliminated Big Show.
Matt Hardy was in the battle royal as well, but he was taken out by Gallows (who had already been eliminated when missing a charge on Matt) as retaliation for costing both Gallows and Anderson the match.
The CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska will host the title match next week on the Labor Day edition of Raw.
A day after being injured in a legitimate in-ring incident with Sexy Star at Triplemania, Rosemary posted a statement on Twitter last night to clarify the situation and thank people for their support.
She wrote: Let me make this perfectly clear: if you take liberties with someone’s body when they are giving it to you and trusting you to keep them safe, you are not tough. You are an asshole. And you don’t belong in this business.
Sexy Star decided to do just that this weekend at Triplemania. And while I have remained quiet on social media until I was more calm to address this situation, I have now been informed that she is telling people that it is a work. You are all now being informed that Sexy Star is a liar. She was a liar in the locker room when she was forced to apologize and instead cooked up some bullsh*t excuse that she ‘didn’t know’ and she is a liar now. You know if you are torquing on someone’s arm. You know an armbar is a real and dangerous hold.
The only reason your face is not broken right now is because a little voice inside my head as I lay on the apron kept repeating, ‘Don’t go to Mexican prison..’ (thanks, Demon)
However, turning to positives: the outreach from the wrestling community has been incredible. I’m overwhelmed with how much love I feel right now from friends, fans, and people I have yet to meet in this amazing business. We are a family and we protect our own. If you violate that, you are not welcome here.
I also want to thank the AAA locker room. Multiple people came up to me saying how sorry and disgusted they were. Thank you Hamada and Shani, who also had to deal with bullsh*t from Star during that match. Thank you, Vampiro, for professionally trying to calm a volatile situation, though, as you know, once the excuses started pouring out of Sexy Star’s mouth in lieu of an apology, it was over.
Thank you to the amazing GFW locker room, both present that night and not. I have so much support from everyone, and talent, crew and office have all reached out to show me that.
Rosemary suffered the injury when Sexy Star applied an armbar on her at the end of the Reina de Reinas title match at Triplemania on Saturday night. Dave Meltzer wrote in yesterday’s daily update that the explanation that was given was that Sexy Star thought all three other women in the match were after her due to Lady Shani allegedly shooting on her earlier in it.
In addition to the support Rosemary has received, Sexy Star has gotten significant criticism on social media from others in the pro wrestling industry. Cody Rhodes tweeted that Sexy Star will never step foot into one of his locker rooms and Brian James (Road Dogg) called for her to be blacklisted if the incident is legitimate.
WrestleCade also announced that they’ve removed Sexy Star from their November weekend in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. They wrote that anyone who ordered tickets to her meet and greet in advance will be refunded as soon as possible.
Minoru Suzuki’s first match in the United States in over 25 years will be for the Ring of Honor World Championship.
It was announced on ROH TV this week that Cody Rhodes would be defending his title against Suzuki in the main event of the promotion’s Death Before Dishonor XV pay-per-view in Las Vegas on September 22nd.
Ian Riccaboni and Colt Cabana set up that Cody had issued an open challenge before a video package hyping Suzuki as a feared competitor was shown, with the storyline being that Cody wasn’t happy about Suzuki being revealed as his opponent.
Cody had previously tweeted that facing Suzuki was one of his dream matchups.
Dalton Castle had appeared to be next in line to challenge for Cody’s title, but there was an injury angle with Cody attacking him on the War of the Worlds UK tour.
Both Suzuki and KUSHIDA will be heading from New Japan Pro Wrestling’s tour to ROH for the Death Before Dishonor PPV weekend. Dave Meltzer noted in the most recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the only other US match that he could find for Suzuki was against Ken Shamrock on March 20th, 1992.
The result may have been what most anticipated it would be, but the Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor superfight delivered more than anyone could have reasonably expected it to.
Mayweather defeated McGregor by TKO in the 10th round, with the referee stopping the match as Mayweather was landing big shots and McGregor was about to go down. That came after McGregor put in a good showing as Mayweather felt him out early and waited to execute his gameplan.
In his post-fight interview, Mayweather reiterated that this was his final fight and praised McGregor as a champion. McGregor took issue with the stoppage, wanting the referee to make Mayweather put him down. McGregor said that he was only fatigued.
Mayweather was comfortably ahead on the judge’s scorecards at the time the fight was stopped. They had him up 89-81, 89-82, and 87-83.
McGregor had his most impressive moments in the first three rounds and landed 111 punches, which was 30 more than Manny Pacquiao did in his matchup with Mayweather.
Given their respective paydays, it was always going to be a good night for Mayweather and McGregor. But the result likely helps both as well. Mayweather got the win, advanced to 50-0, and put on a spectacle that pleased fans in a way that his superfight against Pacquiao didn’t.
For McGregor, he lasted 10 rounds against a boxing legend and was far from outclassed. He exits the bout a bigger star than he was going in, with options available for whatever he decides to do next.
McGregor said that he’d “of course” compete in the UFC again when asked about it after the fight.
We’re looking for reports on the WWE Raw house show in Jonesboro, AR, SmackDown in Baton Rouge, LA, NXT in Bartow, FL and ROH TV tapings at Center Stage in Atlanta (Cody defends the ROH title against the winner of the Honor Rumble, Marty Scurll vs. Rocky Romero, Cheeseburger vs. Will Ferrara, plus Young Bucks, War Machine, Bully Ray, Briscoes, Alex Shelley,Chris Sabin, Jay Lethal, Hangman Page, Kenny King,Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, Silas Young, Jay White, Beer City Bruiser, Josh Woods, Jonathan Gresham, Flip Gordon, Sho Tanaka, Yohei Komatsu, Vinny Marseglia, TK O’Ryan, Shane Taylor and Punishment Martinez) to [email protected].
Mascara de Bronce & Big Mami & Dinastia & Estrella Divina vs. Hernandez & Hiedra & Mini Psycho Clown & Mamba
Dark Cuervo & Dark Scoria defend AAA tag titles against DJZ & Andrew Everett, Drago & Aerostar and Monsther Clown & Murder Clown
Sexy Star vs. Lady Shani vs. Rosemary vs. Ayako Hamada for AAA Reina de Reinas title
Pagano vs. Mesias street fight
Torneo TripleMania 25 lumberjack match with La Parka, Bengala, Argenis, Australian Suicide, Faby Apache, Pimpinela Escarlata, Averno, Chessman, Super Fly, Bobby Lashley, Moose, Jeff Jarrett, Scorpio Jr., Zumbido, Decnis, Psicosis (not the original), Maniaco, Histeira, Joe Lider, Halloween, Mr. Aguila, Crazy Boy, Nino Hamburguesa, Lanzeloth, Intocable, Blue Demon Jr., Pirata Morgan, Heavy Metal, Villano IV and a surprise final participant
Johnny Mundo defends AAA Mega heavyweight, AAA cruiserweight and Latin American heavyweight titles against El Hijo del Fantasma and El Texano Jr. in a ladder match
Psycho Clown vs. Dr. Wagner Jr. mask vs. mask
MAYWEATHER VS. MCGREGOR PPV AT 9 P.M. EASTERN
Sunday has a WWE SmackDown brand house show in Monroe, LA and what is traditionally the biggest independent show of the year, Wrestling Under the Stars by Northeast Wrestling at Dutchess Stadium in Wappingers Falls, NY (Cody Rhodes vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. for the NEW title with Ricky Steamboat as referee, Robbie E & Deonna Purrazzo vs. Jerry Lawler & Brandi Rhodes, The Now vs. Vinny Marseglia & TK O’Ryan for NEW tag titles, Ryback vs. Hanson, Battle Brothers vs. Amazing Graysons vs. Adrenaline Rush, Brian Anthony vs. Brad Hollister, Keith Lee vs. Wrecking Ball Legursky, Laredo Kid vs. Flip Gordon vs. Garza Jr. plus appearances by Chris Jericho, Mick Foley and Bob Orton Jr.).
Raw will be Monday night in Memphis. Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman are scheduled for the show along with John Cena (who is now on the Raw brand). Sasha Banks vs. Alexa Bliss for the women’s title is on the show. There is also a SmackDown brand house show in Texarkana, AR.
SmackDown and 205 Live will be taped on Tuesday night in Little Rock. Brian Kendrick vs. Jack Gallagher no DQ has been announced.
As WWE’s four-day stretch in Brooklyn began to wrap up, my biggest takeaway from my time in New York City was just how special live wrestling can be. Being at an event in-person can make a great show like NXT TakeOver seem even better, a marathon like SummerSlam feel less tiresome, and the Raw crowd amusing itself with the wave and playing with beach balls somehow a bit less annoying.
With SummerSlam, the Jon Jones drug test failure, McGregor-Mayweather and a major story on Daniel Bryan, it’s one of the biggest issues of the year, a double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter out to members right now.
Our lead story looks at the Jon Jones situation from all angles, looking at the drug he is alleged to have failed the test for and its usage, the time line, last year’s failure, the potential penalties, the ramifications for Daniel Cormier and the value of the light heavyweight title, responses from several people involved, what is likely to happen with the title, what UFC was planning for Jones, UFC’s promotion of Jones, as well as how this affects Brock Lesnar, which is huge, and Lesnar’s leverage and negotiations for a new WWE contract.
Have an in-depth look at the history of boxer vs. wrestler and other types of mixed matches when analyzing Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather. Find out what this means financially and otherwise to UFC, why nothing of the sort has ever happened previously, and why it probably will happen more going forward. Examine just how much revenue this fight is looking at generating. Look at how buys are tending, predictions on buys, and how a success will change combat sports forever and especially the UFC if it was knockout power champions.
Look at the issues of sanctioning, the smaller gloves, and lots of different mixed matches going through time including stories related to Frank Gotch, Jack Dempsey, Muhammad Ali, Gene LeBell, the Ali vs. Inoki match, and even Wilt Chamberlain when it comes to unique matches talked about in the past.
Full coverage of SummerSlam, including stories behind what happened in different matches, the business for the weekend, a look at the next two WWE PPV shows, the situation with title changes, Baron Corbin, Rusev as well as match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results on the show.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer, or by using PayPal directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to [email protected]. For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52. If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.)
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can choose one free classic issue, or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.
The country of Australia, apparently wrestling-starved, banged out amazing business when tickets went on sale for an October tour of World Championship Wrestling, which includes four television shoots. On 7/21, the first show that went on sale, a Nitro taping in Melbourne on 10/13, sold out the Rod Laver Arena (capacity for a Nitro taping would be probably close to 10,000) with tickets priced from $300 Australian down to $65, sold out in less than three hours (reports of a 90 minute sellout are exaggerated, but only slightly).
In what seems to be a good sign for her father’s health, Charlotte Flair confirmed that she’s back on SmackDown’s house show tour starting tonight and will be at TV on Tuesday. Dave Meltzer noted that she’d be returning tonight in yesterday’s daily update.
Responding to a post joking about how Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor should be a Punjabi Prison match, Randy Orton tweeted: “Then no one would be able to see the fight because the view would be obstructed by the two walls of ‘bamboo’ -duh”
WWE posted a video of wrestlers making their predictions for Mayweather vs. McGregor.
David Bixenspan looks at how McGregor is somehow defending the lineal Brawl for All Championship.
Killian Dain & Alexander Wolfe defended their tag titles at last night’s NXT house show in Tampa, further signifying that all members of SAnitY will be considered tag champions. Rhea Ripley (Demi Bennett), who is in the Mae Young Classic, also made her NXT debut at the show.
John Cena was matched up with Samoa Joe at last night’s Raw house show in Carbondale, Illinois.
Tommaso Ciampa tweeted that he’s had three surgeries within 12 weeks.
Drew McIntyre appeared on yesterday’s episode of Talk is Jericho.
Batista was interviewed by Rotten Tomatoes and chose Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope, The Godfather, To Kill a Mockingbird, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and La La Land as his five favorite films.
Giant Bomb asks WWE wrestlers “pro wrestler or Super Mario bad guy?” at the WWE 2K18 party.
MLB player Curtis Granderson spoke about growing up as a pro wrestling fan.
The Washington Post ran another story on Donald Trump and pro wrestling.
Pro Wrestling
Aside from Mayweather vs. McGregor, there’s a big wrestling show tonight as AAA presents Triplemania XXV. That will be main-evented by Psycho Clown vs. Dr. Wagner Jr. in a mask vs. mask match.
WCPW also wrapped up its Pro Wrestling World Cup this afternoon. KUSHIDA defeated Joseph Conners and Will Ospreay defeated Ricochet to advance to the finals, with KUSHIDA beating Ospreay to win the tournament. The show is available to watch for free on WCPW’s YouTube channel.
As was probably inevitable, ratings for Impact were down this week coming off of the almost-live Destination X special. 296,000 viewers tuned in for Eli Drake’s title win, which was down from last Thursday’s 320,000.
Michael Elgin slammed KeMonito while wrestling for CMLL last night.
The Miami Herald has an article on Deonna Purrazzo’s beginnings in wrestling and the journey she has taken since.
The Ottawa Citizen posted an update on Devon “Hannibal” Nicholson receiving a $25,000 arbitration award from the city.
UFC/MMA
After years of speculation, the fight finally being announced a few months ago, a global media tour, and some huge hype during fight week, Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor finally step into the ring for their boxing match tonight. The PPV portion of the broadcast starts at 9 p.m. ET, though Ariel Helwani tweeted that Mayweather and McGregor won’t walk to the ring before 11:15 p.m. ET and it could be later if the undercard goes long.
Mayweather’s disclosed purse for tonight is $100 million and McGregor’s is $30 million. Both will make much more than that.
Showtime uploaded the opening for tonight’s broadcast. The Rock also did a voiceover that will be on the show.
The UFC posted the final episode of Embedded leading up to the fight.
Mayweather’s TMT billboard in Las Vegas was vandalized with the Irish flag and “49-1.”
T-Mobile Arena’s general manager isn’t worried about Mayweather vs. McGregor not being sold out.
Dana White responded to Oscar De La Hoya after De La Hoya took a shot at the Mayweather-McGregor fight.
ESPN announced a four-year deal with Top Rank Boxing that includes a minimum of 16 cards a year to air on ESPN stations, a minimum of two cards to air on ESPN’s upcoming streaming service, other programming, and the Top Rank Boxing library.
From Paul Fontaine on last night’s Bellator show: “Bellator 182 aired last night on Spike TV with their first show in over a month. AJ McKee Jr. (9-0) won what was essentially an enhancement match to tie Ben Askren’s record with 9 straight wins to start his Bellator career in the opener over Blair Tugman (10-7). Bruna Ellen (4-1) won a split decision over Veta Arteaga (3-2) in a women’s flyweight bout. Arteaga dominated the standup, but Ellen scored some key takedowns to take the razor thin decision. In the co-main, Fernando Gonzalez (27-14) got his seventh win in eight Bellator fights, submitting Brennan Ward (14-6) in the third round of a fight he was probably losing. Former welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov (20-2) got a first round TKO over Chidi Njokuani (17-5) in the main event in what was the first Bellator loss for Njokuani. It would make sense to match up Gonzalez and Koreshkov after this, with the winner getting a shot at division champ Douglas Lima. Bellator returns with a big show from San Jose on September 23rd featuring Benson Henderson vs Patricky Pitbull and the Bellator debut of Roy Nelson.”
After over 500 days as NXT Women’s Champion, Asuka has vacated the title and could soon be on the WWE main roster.
An in-ring segment where she relinquished the championship closed tonight’s NXT TV tapings at Full Sail University, with it being noted that William Regal has (in storyline) begun negotiations for her to move up to Raw or SmackDown. The locker room emptied as she departed NXT and Triple H came out to give her a bouquet of flowers and take the title.
Asuka capped off her run as NXT Women’s Champion by defeating Ember Moon at TakeOver: Brooklyn III last Saturday night. It was reported by WWE that she had suffered a broken collarbone in that match and would be out of action for several weeks.
No indication was given at the tapings on how NXT will crown their next Women’s Champion or if the Mae Young Classic will have any bearing on that.
Due to an ankle injury that he suffered earlier this month, TK Cooper won’t be able to compete in this year’s Battle of Los Angeles.
PWG officially announced the news last night, with Joey Janela being confirmed as Cooper’s replacement in the tournament. Janela will be taking on Sammy Guevara in place of Cooper on night two.
Cooper and Travis Banks (as the South Pacific Power Trip) were scheduled to face The Young Bucks in non-tournament action on night one, but that match is now off and The Young Bucks won’t be appearing on the first night. They’ll still be teaming with Kenny Omega against Penta El Zero M, Rey Fenix & Flamita on night two.
PWG tweeted that they hope to reschedule The Young Bucks vs. South Pacific Power Trip for a show when Cooper’s injury has healed.
Cooper dislocated his ankle at PROGRESS Wrestling’s show in New York on August 12th when doing a twisting dive off the top to the floor. Banks then continued against Tyler Bate & Trent Seven on his own after Cooper was forced out of the match.
Janela is a wrestler who has generated a lot of buzz this year, including for the “Joey Janela’s Spring Break” show he put on with Game Changer Wrestling over WrestleMania weekend in Orlando.
The 2017 Battle of Los Angeles will take place on September 1-3 in Reseda, California. Here’s the list of matches for the first two nights:
Night one —
Donovan Dijak & Keith Lee vs. Matt Riddle & Jeff Cobb (non-tournament match)
Flamita vs. Ricochet
Jonah Rock vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Matt Sydal vs. Penta El Zero M
Flash Morgan Webster vs. Marty Scurll
Rey Fenix vs. Rey Horus
Brian Cage vs. Dezmond Xavier
Night two —
Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks vs. Penta El Zero M, Rey Fenix & Flamita (non-tournament match)
Ricochet & Matt Sydal vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Marty Scurll (non-tournament match)
On the second stop of their weekend in the United States, British promotion PROGRESS Wrestling presented an intimate show in the Boston area on Sunday night. Things didn’t go quite as planned up to that point. It started when PROGRESS and WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne couldn’t wrestle on either show after being busted open in an indie match on Friday. Then, TK Cooper suffered an ankle injury in New York and the excessive heat in the crowded venue marred what otherwise appeared to be a fun show.
An update on Ric Flair and extensive G-1 Climax coverage are the lead stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Full coverage of G-1, including polls on the last three nights, G-1 MVP, G-1 best match and a chart showing star ratings for everyone in the tournament and who had the best top-end matches, who was the most consistent and more, in this issue.
Look at the finances of G-1, what are New Japan’s major programs and biggest shows for the next two months, full coverage of all three nights at Sumo Hall, a measure of the change in interest levels over the past year, a look at the return of Katsuyori Shibata, and U.S. G-1 television plans for the summer and fall.
Preview WWE’s SummerSlam weekend, injury updates, lineup changes, ticket sales and plans for next year.
There is an update on the Daniel Bryan situation and why his coming back to wrestle next year is so unique, more on the WWE Network in China, how streaming services have done in China, Ronda Rousey and WWE, Adam Cole and WWE, the Mae Young Classic, Mike Bennett talks drug addiction issues, Bayley talks about her injury, Sami Zayn raising money, Dwayne Johnson update, Scott Dawson update, Shayna Baszler talks Rousey in wrestling, UK ratings, the story of Jericho’s one-night comeback, how Dolph Ziggler’s fortunes faded, WWE market value and the most watched shows on the WWE Network.
Check out all the WWE and NXT arena events from the past week with highlights from each show and business notes.
Examine the situation with Alberto El Patron and GFW and why it is what it is, as well as notes on the upcoming GFW tapings, Alberto’s response, new talent coming, the situation with Lucha Underground and what happens if Lucha Underground is no more.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer, or by using PayPal directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to [email protected]. For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52. If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.)
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can choose one free classic issue, or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.
The country of Australia, apparently wrestling-starved, banged out amazing business when tickets went on sale for an October tour of World Championship Wrestling, which includes four television shoots. On 7/21, the first show that went on sale, a Nitro taping in Melbourne on 10/13, sold out the Rod Laver Arena (capacity for a Nitro taping would be probably close to 10,000) with tickets priced from $300 Australian down to $65, sold out in less than three hours (reports of a 90 minute sellout are exaggerated, but only slightly).
Along with recap and fallout from TakeOver: Brooklyn, tonight’s episode of NXT includes matches that were taped before the special at the Barclays Center on Saturday night. Those matches are Pete Dunne & Wolfgang vs. Tyler Bate & Trent Seven (which was Dunne’s first match back since being busted open in a match and missing PROGRESS’ weekend in the US earlier this month), Peyton Royce vs. Sarah Logan, and Lars Sullivan attacking No Way Jose.
Singer Bruno Mars, who was given the nickname Bruno as a kid because his father thought he looked like Bruno Sammartino, met Sammartino at a concert in Pittsburgh last night.
The next 37 wrestlers who will be playable characters in WWE 2K18 were made official today as 2K Sports continued their roster reveal.
WWE posted the full Mae Young Classic bracketology special for free on YouTube. Triple H also discussed the tournament in an interview with NBC Sports.
WWE has a short video profile on female referee Jessika Carr (formerly Kennadi Brink on the indies).
Latin Times interviewed Marti Belle about representing the Dominican Republic in the Mae Young Classic.
Roman Reigns responded to a Sports Illustrated video of fans explaining why they don’t like him: “The simple question here is to the Kids. Would you rather grow up and be like me, OR the guys from this video!??”
Triple H took his usual post-call up picture with Bobby Roode after Roode’s debut on SmackDown last night.
Matt Hardy tweeted about the legal situation with Anthem: “FUN FACT-Benjamin, Maxel & Scribe weren’t paid & DID NOT sign releases from TNA/GFW to allow their images to be aired on ANY media, esp TV.”
WWE wrestlers discussed their favorite rock/metal bands. MetalInjection also interviewed WWE music composers CFO$ about how they got their job and their process of creating entrance music.
Pro Wrestling
Twitch announced a partnership with AAA that will feature the platform streaming Triplemania XXV in both English and Spanish for free on Saturday at 8 p.m. Eastern time. There will be a “best of” Triplemania marathon leading up to the event.
Tonight’s episode of Lucha Underground is a loaded show with Johnny Mundo defending his title against Rey Mysterio, Pentagon vs. Prince Puma in the Cueto Cup finals, and Sexy Star vs. Veneno in a mask match.
From our Chris Aiken: “Ultimo Guerrero and Mistico had a match in Arena Mexico last night that told a good story. Juice Robinson, Michael Elgin, Matt Taven, and Marco Corleone appeared on CMLL’s Informa talk show as well.”
Rey Mysterio vs. Will Ospreay headlined today’s Pro Wrestling World Cup show for WCPW. You can watch the full show for free on their YouTube channel.
StateCollege.com has a feature on Hacksaw Jim Duggan and the connection that he still has with fans.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal ran a story on ODB and the food truck that she operates.
UFC/MMA
Jon Jones’ camp released a statement after news of Jones’ drug test failure broke: “We are all at a complete loss for words right now. Jon, his trainers, his nutritionists and his entire camp have worked tirelessly and meticulously the past 12 months to avoid this exact situation. We are having the samples tested again to determine the validity or source of contamination. Jon is crushed by this news and we are doing whatever we can as a team, to support him.”
Daniel Cormier also reacted to the news of Jones’ failure: “It’s hard to find words to describe how I’m feeling right now. I’m disappointed to hear the news. It’s very emotional. We as athletes are entitled to due process, and I will refrain from saying much more until I know exactly what happened. In my mind, on July 29th, I competed and I lost. I thought Jon Jones was the better man that day. I don’t know what to think anymore. I can’t believe we are going through all of this again. We will see what happens next. Thank you to all my fans who have supported me during this dark time. I love you all very much.”
Dana White revealed that Jones vs. Stipe Miocic was being planned and could have happened at UFC 218 if it wasn’t for Jones being back out of action. White also wondered if Jones will ever fight again.
Mark Hunt blasted Jones in a post on Instagram, saying that Cormier should get all of Jones’ purse from UFC 214.
The UFC released the third episode of Embedded for Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor. It ends with McGregor’s confrontation with Paulie Malignaggi from yesterday.
Owen Roddy, who is McGregor’s striking coach, said that people would believe McGregor has a chance to win if they saw him in the gym.
McGregor was featured in a commercial for Beats by Dre ahead of the Mayweather fight.
It appears that the severity of Big Cass’ knee injury is as bad as was initially feared.
WWE posted an update on Cass last night, with it saying that he will have to undergo surgery. Dr. Chris Robinson noted that it looks like Cass suffered a torn ACL and possibly a medial meniscus tear. Robinson said that they would have to wait for a radiologist to evaluate Cass’ MRI before making any final determinations.
If Cass did tear his ACL, the injury would keep him out of action for several months. Robinson said that the typical recovery time from the injury is nine months.
Cass hurt his left knee on Monday’s episode of Raw when going for a big boot in a match against Enzo Amore. Amore held the ropes down to send him to the floor, but Cass ended up landing awkwardly. Cass tried to finish the match, though it was stopped after he went for the Empire Elbow and his leg buckled when trying to hit the move.
SmackDown moved on from SummerSlam as WWE completed its four-day stay at the Barclays Center last night.
A debut and a return were the most noteworthy things on the show, with Bobby Roode arriving on the SmackDown roster after losing his NXT Championship and Shelton Benjamin coming back to team with Chad Gable. Roode took on Aiden English in his first main roster match.
Issues between Kevin Owens and Shane McMahon also continued as Owens got another shot at the US title, Shinsuke Nakamura took on The Singh Brothers, and Carmella warned Natalya that she’s on borrowed time as Women’s Champion.
When Bobby Roode lost his NXT Championship last Saturday, the only question was how soon it would take for him to arrive on the main roster.
It turns out that we didn’t have to wait very long. Roode made his debut on SmackDown tonight by defeating Aiden English, with Roode hitting his Glorious DDT to finish the match.
Roode cut a promo after and thanked Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon for breaking the bank to sign the hottest free agent available. He said that SmackDown was great, but now it will be “absolutely glorious” with his addition.
Drew McIntyre won the NXT title from Roode in the main event of TakeOver: Brooklyn III last Saturday before being attacked by Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, and Bobby Fish.
The next round of NXT television tapings will take place on Thursday night. Roderick Strong is owed a match against Roode, which could take place there. The tapings should also give some indication on if any other call-ups are imminent.
WWE returned to the Barclays Center for the third straight night as the arena hosted Raw on Monday.
Fallout from SummerSlam was the theme for much of the show, with Braun Strowman still not being finished with Universal Champion Brock Lesnar. Strowman laid out Lesnar in the opening segment before it was announced that they would main event No Mercy next month.
John Cena also arrived on Raw and was confronted by Roman Reigns, which led to them being interrupted by The Miz and Samoa Joe. Cena & Reigns faced off with Miz & Joe in a tag team match in the main event, though the crowd was more distracted by playing with beach balls for most of it.
Elsewhere on the episode, new tag champs Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose took on The Hardys, Sasha Banks made her first appearance as a four-time Raw Women’s Champion, and Big Cass suffered an injury during a match against Enzo Amore.
As expected, WWE has officially confirmed that Lio Rush has signed with the company.
The news was announced in an article on their website this afternoon, with it calling Rush a “22-year-old prodigy.” It was also stated that he reported to the Performance Center today.
That Rush would be going to WWE has been known for a while. He last wrestled for Ring of Honor in April, then spent more time on the indies until heading to WWE. He finished up with CZW, EVOLVE, and MCW Pro Wrestling earlier this month.
Rush started with MCW in Maryland in 2014, with NXT’s Velveteen Dream (Patrick Clark) as his tag team partner.
Now that WWE has confirmed Rush’s signing and Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, and Bobby Fish have appeared on TV, Donovan Dijak should be the next former-ROH wrestler that WWE announces has officially signed with them.
Dave Meltzer reported last month that Dijak was bound for WWE once he finished his commitments on the indies.
