Daily Update: Raw, Being the Elite, Conor McGregor

Posted on January 14, 2020 by Dave Meltzer

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

We’re doing for NXT Takeover Blackpool and Impact Hard to Kill, so you can send a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

We’re looking for reports on these shows:
*Non-Raw stuff from Lexington, KY- any dark matches or Main Event results
*NXT Friday night in Pittsburgh
*Dark matches from Smackdown Friday night in Evansville
*NXT Sunday in Buffalo
You can send reports on these shows to [email protected]

Raw is a loaded show on Monday from Lexington, KY with Big Show & Kevin Owens & Samoa Joe vs. Seth Rollins & AOP in a fist fight, Bobby Lashley vs. Rusev and Aleister Black vs. Buddy Murphy and Brock Lesnar is on the show. There will also be a Becky Lynch/Asuka contract signing and Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman appear,.

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: WWE’s top 10 matches of 2019 Joseph Currier ranks his 10 favorite WWE matches of the year.

Looking back at the year WWE has had, you get a better sense of how much talent is in the company.

Main roster television and storylines have their problems, but narrowing the list of my favorite WWE matches of the year down to 10 was still incredibly difficult. The company produces so much product and has so many great wrestlers spread across Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and NXT UK. NXT was the standout in what was a transformative year as it moved to airing live on the USA Network, but all four brands were still represented on my list.

Here are my picks for WWE’s 10 best matches of 2019:

Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

WON NEWSLETTER: January 13, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Death of Pampero Firpo, Wrestle Kingdom 14 review

With coverage of WrestleKingdom, pro wrestling in Japan and the death of Pampero Firpo, we’ve got another double issue of the Observer this week.

Our lead story looks at the legacy of Pampero Firpo, one of the top stars of the 60s and 70s. We look at his character, the Randy Savage connection, the start of his career in Argentina, how he got started in the U.S. and was a star in week one, his forgotten world title win, the story behind his getting the Pampero Firpo name and the legendary boxing match it came from, his first run with Vince McMahon Sr. in 1960, his second run in 1972, the angle that turned him babyface in Detroit, and his life after wrestling working at the post office.

The issue also covers:

The wrestling scene in Japan, wrestling around the city, the wrestling stores, the advertising, the business from the Tokyo Dome, doing two WrestleMania in two days, why it worked for New Japan and why such a great first show ended up as a handicap. We look at what got over the biggest, probably why main roster PPVs struggle the day after blow away NXT shows, as well as tickets sold outside of Japan for he two shows and growth of the overseas audience.

New Japan’s expansion into the U.S., original booking plans for 2019, how Jericho and Tanahashi were able to do an angle involving the AEW belt, the political issues between AEW and NJPW, New Japan’s 2020 schedule, and the future of the junior heavyweights.

A pension fund suing WWE and why, with the story behind it as well as the launch of the XFL and its new rules, we’ve got DVR numbers for AEW & NXT, a wrestler who may be leaving WWE and contract status, crazy stuff some in WWE have been brainwashed on, lots of new lineups in WWE, Punk vs. Miz, Lesnar gets honored by University of Minnesota, new WWE signing, WWE awards, Ryback’s latest issues with WWE, Canadian ratings for all the top U.S. shows, WWE and Russian television plus a rundown of the holiday season house shows.

Complete rundowns of both Dome shows, with match-by-match coverage, poll results and star ratings.

Upcoming major New Japan events.

WWE’s traditional biggest house show of the year, the holiday event in Madison Square Garden.

Compiled lists of the wrestlers with the most great matches from the past year, the past decade and over the course of a career.

Regarding the Wednesday numbers, we’ve got full details, demos that each side won, how every segment did and what match ended up as the difference maker.

Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.

In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.

Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.

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 [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Raw, the daily outrage, plus taking questions that you can send to the show via e-mail to [email protected]

The first fight main event with Kevin Owens & Samoa Joe & Big Show vs. AOP & Seth Rollins means no DQ, no pins, no submissions, no count outs and basically the match continues until the referee rules that all three members of the opposite team can no longer continue. So it’s the 70s non-WWE Texas death match rules.

Conor McGregor did a lengthy interview with Ariel Helwani to promote Saturday’s fight with Donald Cerrone. McGregor claimed he would earn $80 million for the fight based on his new contract. Please do not believe that.

There is a lot of storyline stuff in this BTE which includes Jimmy Valiant mentoring Adam Page (who he helped train), teases of Brandon Cutler (the best friend of The Young Bucks) and Michael Nakazawa (best friend of Kenny Omega) joining the Dark Order and Nick Jackson spoofing himself and Matt Jackson spoofing whoever he’s spoofing about people giving booking ideas.

Dave Bautista was announced as a new cast member of the Apple TV+ series “See.”

WWE

This will be the last week Raw has major competition that will nail ratings until we get into the NBA playoffs. Even though the College football championship game (LSU vs. Clemson) often does double what a good Monday night game does, Raw usually doesn’t do too badly because people are in the swing of the build to the Royal Rumble. The number should be down from last week in theory, but rather than throw in the towel, they went with an attempt at a loaded show to combat it.
Corbin, KY mayor Suzie Razmus actually did rename the city King Corbin, KY for one day–yesterday–since WWE ran a show headlined by King Corbin in the city. They had a video of it at the show.

UFC

Punahele Soriano vs. pro wrestler Eric Spicely has been added to a UFC on ESPN show on 3/28 in Columbus, OH.

MISCELLANEOUS

Demetrious Johnson will challenge Adriano Moraes for the ONE flyweight world title on 4/11 in China.
Great Sasuke will be appearing for Pro Wrestling Revolution on 4/18 in San Francisco. He will also be doing a meet and greet.
Combate Americas announced its 1/25 show in Puerto Rico is off. The local promoter, Dr. Luis Martinez of LM Entertainment, said the island has suffered the past few weeks due to earthquakes and they feel postponing the event until things get back to normal is the best option. The first show of the year is now 2/21 out of Mexicali Mexico with Rafa Garcia (11-0) vs. Humberto Bandenay (18-7, 1 no contest) for their lightweight title.
A correction from a few days ago on people available to book through Bill Behrens. The tag team that worked over the weekend for ROH, Master & Machine, are Griff Garrison & Marcus Kross and you can book them as well as Jeff Cobb or Alex Riley at [email protected]
Could Matt White who ordered a back issue please contact us at [email protected].
I Believe in Wrestling on Friday night at Team Vision Dojo in Orlando.
Hoosier Pro Wrestling on 2/1 in Columbus, IN at the 4-H Fairgrounds.
Former UFC fighter Mitch Clark will make a pro wrestling debut for the CWE promotion later this month in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Shannon Moore and D-Lo Brown will also be working on some upcoming CWE dates.
ECWA on Saturday night in New Castle, DE at the United Asbury Methodist Church.
According to Court Bauer, Teddy Hart said over the weekend that his release by MLW was a work and he would be returning soon. Bauer said zero percent chance, and the claim of his release being a work is actually a work. He also noted that L.A. Park and L.A. Park Jr. as well as El Hijo de L.A. Park would be back in February. El Hijo de L.A. Park missed the Dallas show due to a last minute visa renewal delay.
Pro Wrestling Eve on 2/1 in Bethnal Green, London with a tag title match when The Medusa Complex defends against Gisele Shaw & Sammii Jayne.
The Los Angeles Times covered the death of La Parka.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: TNA Genesis 2013

CONTACT INFORMATION

Poll opinions: [email protected]
Feedback: [email protected]
Show results and news tips: [email protected]
Wrestling Observer Radio questions: [email protected]
Support the Empire~! with F4W shirts. Grab yours today!

JNPO: 2019 MMA year in review, pt. 2

Posted on December 24, 2019 by Josh Nason

Editor’s Note: This is a free show. Just click below to listen.

Our four-part journey through the 2019 MMA year continues with Paul Fontaine and I sifting through April, May, and June.

On the docket for part 2:

On a pay-per-view headliend by two interim title fights, both delivered like “real” title fights as Israel Adesanya-Kelvin Gastelum and Max Holloway-Dustin Poirier provided a literal UFC 1-2 punch
Rory MacDonald won a fight and then questioned if being a religious man meant he didn’t have the will to hurt people anymore…then fought less than two months later
Henry Cejudo and Patricio Pitbull both became two-division champions in hard-hitting fashion
The increasingly rapid decline of B.J. Penn
A controversy over whether spiking someone’s head into the mat is legal
Sage Northcutt got his face crushed in his ONE debut
Big fights were made, guys got hurt, cards existed, and Dana White had his share of head-scratching decisions

If you missed episode one, here you go.

Click the big red button to listen.

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Daily Update: Tony Schiavone, El Hijo del Vikingo, ONE Century

Posted on August 26, 2019 by Dave Meltzer

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Sasha Banks returns to WWE Joseph Currier looks at the return of Sasha Banks and what it means for the women’s division. Plus, Bryan Rose’s Japan notes, and Vinny’s TV reviews.

The return of Banks gives Lynch the opponent she’s needed since WrestleMania. After winning the biggest women’s match in company history, Lynch was put in an impossible position by WWE. She had to maintain her momentum without having any credible opponents to face. Lacey Evans was a poor choice for her first challenger.

One of WWE’s most important goals should have been elevating Lynch and the women’s division further. It was always known that Rousey wouldn’t be with WWE forever. It’s great that Rousey was able to have main event-level matches with the company. It’s great that the Rousey/Lynch/Charlotte Flair rivalry was so deserving of its top spot going into WrestleMania.

But a year of progress doesn’t mean that much if you don’t continue to build upon it. Instead of Lynch facing someone who was near her level, her opponent was a wrestler who wasn’t even in a star in NXT.

WON NEWSLETTER: August 26, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Birth of the Wednesday Night WarDetails on NXT and AEW competing on Wednesday nights, plus tons of news.

The birth of the Wednesday Night War is the top story in the new edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

We discuss how the NXT to USA deal came about, when NXT wrestlers were told, how this impacts the WWE/Fox relationship, and what this means for the NXT brand, going forward.

We have details on the finances of the NXT to USA deal, and we break down the head-to-head aspect of NXT vs. AEW. We also have comments from a major television executive who gives his perspective on the deal, as well as the potential for audience burnout.

A story on the latest AEW TV taping sellouts is also featured in the new issue. We also have notes on the secondary ticket market demand for all of the AEW shows.

An obituary for Eddie Marlin is also in the new issue, with a ton of details on his life.

Also in this issue, Ryan Frederick covers this past weekend’s UFC show, and we have detailed TV ratings and business notes on the show.

We also wrap up our G1 coverage with a detailed breakdown of each individual’s star ratings for the tournament.

We have full coverage of all the WWE television shows from the past week.

As always, we have in-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows,the key demos for the WWE shows and what can be learned from them.

We also have the results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio. There are a ton of subjects to go to tonight between WWE, AEW, New Japan and UFC as well as Raw coverage.

On the AEW front regarding the Tony Schiavone release by AEW earlier today Schiavone won’t be working Saturday’s PPV due to University of Georgia football. The broadcast team will be Jim Ross, Excalibur and Alex “Goldenboy” Mendez. Alex Marvez will be doing backstage work as part of the announcing team. The new episode of Being the Elite featured Schiavone announcing he’s with AEW, the announcement of the Charlotte show, and strong interviews by Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho. The Omega interview was 100 percent Jon Moxley and not at all on Pac. It’s very clear they are doing Omega vs. Moxley very soon.

El Hijo del Vikingo will be out six weeks with a torn MCL. That means he’s out of the MSG show on 9/15 which still has no lineup announced. He was wrestling Saturday night in Ciudad Guzman and caught Carta Brava Jr. on a simple crossbody. We had written yesterday that his feet were out of position but those at AAA have said his feet were fine but that it was a beer soaked ring that was the culprit. He will be in a walking boot for three weeks and then need three more weeks of rehab. Dave the Clown was also injured on that same show due to the slippery ring.

Jim Valley and I are doing a show in Chicago Saturday morning. It’s a readers Q&A show and we’ve got a few seats opened up.

TNT will be airing ONE Century, which is the 100th card from ONE, live at 11 p.m. Eastern on 10/12. There are two shows from Tokyo that day, each with 11 fights. The first show will be the one airing live on TNT. No broadcast info on the second show has been released.

WWE

WWE is doing a unique angle to start Raw. The show is scheduled to start with Banks doing a promo explaining her actions since her leaving at WrestleMania. The idea is to blur the lines between the real reasons she left and use those to create a worked storyline. The idea is for her to explain turning heel. Some have felt that WWE releasing this to The Wrap with the idea written of a heel promo and script plans and it being linked on the WWE site is harmful to business. I think it’s far better to judge the interview tonight and see how it’s handled. Reality based storylines have long been part of the business since the dawn of time. But who knows how this well turn out.
The company filed a trademark for the term “Fight Like a Girl,” to be used for a new digital series they are doing with Quilbi that Stephanie McMahon will host. WWE female performers will be on the show to mentor young women struggling with various personal issues and use their own life experiences to help.
A New York Post article on how Donald Trump uses WWE tactics. (thanks to Barry Warner)
A story on WWE wrestlers from Wales, Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster who challenge for the UK tag titles this coming Saturday. (thanks to Mike Kumzuk)
Aleister Black and Zelina Vega were invited to the unveiling of the wax figure for singer Aaliyah at Madam Tussaund’s in Las Vegas this past week.

UFC

C.B. Dollaway was given a two year suspension after failing two different tests. Dollaway failed for Anastrozole, a drug used after steroid cycles by athletes, as well as two different Growth Hormone releasing peptides in a test on 12/19. He also failed for Clomiphene, another post cycle drug that both Jon Jones and Brock Lesnar have failed for in the past, in a 2/9 test.

MISCELLANEOUS

Delirious will be replacing an injured Mark Briscoe on the CMLL tour with ROH talent which starts tomorrow and the big show is Friday with the World Grand Prix tournament. No live streaming Friday night of the show.
A lot of people have talked about this show we did yesterday with Jerry Jarrett, talking Eddie Marlin’s death, the NWA power structure in the 70s, the decline of the NWA, his business dealings with the Von Erichs and more. This was a fascinating show, plus Garrett Gonzalez and I ran down the economics of the WWE’s three different TV deals and why companies would do deficit spending to have wrestling for the first time, and why they’ve done it with football for a long time.
Timothy Thatcher vs. Douglas James has been added to the 9/7 MLW taping in Dallas. Both have submission backgrounds.
United Wrestling Coalition on 9/7 in Wrightstown, NJ at Kelly’s Banquet Hall. The event will be a fund raiser to help raise money for an infant son of Daisy Murder, a wrestler with the promotion. She was born with multiple congenital heart defects and faces many surgeries.
Best of the West on 8/31 in Fresno, CA has a student showcase with students from a number of different school around the state including Best of the West, MPW, CWFH , VF3, Gold Rush, UEW and EBPW. The show will be at 5766 E,. Fountain Way in Fresno at 5 p.m. wit tickets $10.
Rocky Mountain Pro on 8/29 in Golden, CO at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds at 7 P.M. with a GWN, Twitch, and Fite TV taping.
Al-Jazeera article on Nor Phoenix Diana (Malaysian wrestler who performs in a hijab),has a quote from Ali in it. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
Slam Wrestling has a story on the Jack Pfefer archives tracing wrestling history.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Harley Race wins NWA title from Dusty Rhodes

CONTACT INFORMATION

Poll opinions: [email protected]
Feedback: [email protected]
Show results and news tips: [email protected]
Wrestling Observer Radio questions: [email protected]
Support the Empire~! with F4W shirts. Grab yours today!

JNPO: Inside the launch of The Athletic’s MMA vertical

Posted on June 8, 2019 by Josh Nason

(Note: This is a free edition of the show. Just click below to listen or right click to save the mp3. You can also find this show in our free show RSS feed.)

Every since Whizzered broke the news that The Athletic was adding an MMA vertical, I was intrigued. Who would they hire? What type of approach would they take? What would it feel like?

Less than a week into it, we already have an idea, but I wanted to know a lot more.

On this edition of Josh Nason’s Punch-Out, I talk to two of the inaugural staff — managing editor Dann Stupp and staff writer Shaun Al-Shatti — in two separate conversation to get a baseline of what brought them to this project and what readers can expect in the weeks ahead.

Among the topics covered:

– What did Dann learn in previous roles that he hopes to bring to The Athletic?
– What attracted him to this opportunity?
– Does he expect a friendly competition between the staff writers considering their previous roles at other media companies?
– Why did Shaun leave MMA Fighting for this opportunity and what scares him about it?
– How do they overcome challenges in getting MMA fans to pay for another form of content?

Get all that and more in this hour-long edition of JNPO. Just click below to listen:

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Nate Diaz vs. Anthony Pettis set for UFC 241

Posted on May 12, 2019 by Bryan Rose

Nate Diaz is set to fight for the first time in nearly three years.

Dana White made the announcement on Twitter that Diaz will face Anthony Pettis at UFC 241. The fight will be at 170 pounds.

This will be Diaz’s first MMA fight since August 20, 2016 when he lost to Conor McGregor by majority decision at UFC 202. Pettis last fought back in March, defeating Stephen Thompson by KO.

There were attempts last year to make a match between Diaz and Dustin Poirier in a lightweight bout for UFC 230. However, Poirier pulled out of the event due to an injury and the fight ended up being cancelled.

Diaz and Pettis will co-main UFC 241, as Daniel Cormier will be in the main event defending the UFC Heavyweight championship against the person he beat for it, Stipe Miocic. A match between Yoel Romero and Paulo Costa has also been signed.

UFC 241 takes place on August 17 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

May 6, 2019 Observer Newsletter: WWE earnings report, Brock Lesnar, more

Posted on May 2, 2019 by Dave Meltzer

Before the 4/25 WWE earnings report, analysts who, for average, pegged the stock value at $105 or greater per share, noted that the company would likely lose money in the first quarter and it was nothing to worry about given the new TV contracts and huge profits coming in October.

So what happened?

First, the company greatly missed on analysts predictions, falling $15 million to $17 million short on revenue, and losing about $8.4 million during the quarter as opposed to the $700,000 to $800,000 loss number that was projected.

The stock, which earlier in the week topped the magic $100 per share mark, closed on 5/1 at $82.63 per share. It had a big decline after the telling results of the quarter, which continued for a few days. It started coming back but then fell another $1.22 per share on 5/1 after the announcement of the Saudi Arabia show. It left the company with a market value of $6.449 billion.

Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

Tito Ortiz coming out of retirement for Combate Americas

Posted on April 27, 2019 by Josh Nason

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz is coming out of retirement…again.

The 44-year-old signed a deal with Combate Americas, the promotion co-founded by UFC co-founder Campbell McLaren, while he was cageside at the company’s Friday night event.

Ortiz was last seen in action for the much-maligned November triology fight against Chuck Liddell for Golden Boy Promotions, a bout he won via first round knockout.

After a long career in the UFC, he came out of retirement after a two-year absence for Bellator and ran up a 3-1 record over three years. He retired again after a first round submission win over Chael Sonnen in January 2017 before returning for the Liddell fight.

McLaren didn’t announce when Ortiz’s debut fight would be or against who. The promotion currently has a deal with DAZN, home of Bellator MMA and many boxing events.

Combate Americas has made some headlines with recent signings that include former WWE star and former fighter Alberto el Patron last October and former Lucha Underground champion Sexy Star in February.

JNPO: Jon Jones-Anthony Smith and the potential of UFC 235

Posted on February 27, 2019 by Josh Nason

It’s been more than two years since former MMA Junkie editor and current ESPN.com writer Dann Stupp was on my podcast and with such a big fight card this weekend, there was no better time to bring him back to Josh Nason’s Punch-Out.

In our 45-minute chat found below, we hit on several topics:

A high-level preview of Saturday’s UFC 235 which is an on-paper contender for fight card of the year
Why the unheralded Anthony Smith getting a shot at light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is so important
Is the matchmaking right for Ben Askren vs. Robbie Lawler?
Why did I feel nothing inside when the UFC announced an interim lightweight title fight between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier?
The sad turn of events for the family of Matt Hughes
Why a bad knockout loss Saturday could end the career of Diego Sanchez

Hear that and more on a new JNPO immediately. Can you do no less?

Also, check out Dann’s recent ESPN feature on Alonzo Menifield.

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Daily Update: Roman Reigns, Atsushi Onita, WWE videos

Posted on February 26, 2019 by F4W Staff

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News

Latest Audio

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: WWE takes first steps toward WrestleMania 35 triple threat

It appears that WWE has officially taken the first steps towards Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair all being involved in the main event of WrestleMania 35.

An angle where Vince McMahon suspended Lynch for 60 days and announced that Charlotte would be taking her place at WrestleMania closed last Monday’s episode of Raw. Charlotte aligned with Vince and fully turned heel, with Vince calling her someone with charisma, someone with charm, and someone who knows their lane and stays in it.

WON NEWSLETTER: February 25, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Elimination Chamber review

The show didn’t sell out, even in one of WWE’s best markets. The show had more good than bad, with the highlight being the main event, the men’s Chamber match where Daniel Bryan retained and the crowd got so strong behind Kofi Kingston in the Mustafa Ali slot that Vince McMahon changed plans for Fast Lane to put Bryan vs. Kingston on top.

The show was the brainchild of Motoko Baba, to run a big Baba celebration show in 2019, 20 years after his early 1999 death. With her passing away last year, it was her nieces and nephews who put the show together.

All but one count of Mark Hunt’s lawsuit against the UFC, Dana White and Brock Lesnar on the grounds they conspired against him to allow a juiced up Lesnar to fight him at UFC 200 was thrown out of court.

The 2020 Royal Rumble will take place on 1/26 at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Most likely that would also mean Takeover on 1/25 at the Toyota Center, Raw on 1/27 and Smackdown on 1/28.

FOX this weekend started advertising 10/4 as the debut of the new Friday Night Smackdown show.

“Fighting with My Family,” the Dwayne Johnson Seven Bucks Entertainment movie about Growing Up as Paige, which has its big national release on 2/22, has gotten great word-of-mouth so far.

Chris Jericho noted that while he and Gedo are on the same page, that New Japan management hasn’t talked with him about a new deal.

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell,CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

by Bryan Rose and Dave Meltzer

WWE

Raw tonight will be at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Roman Reigns will give an update on his battle against leukemia, while Ric Flair will have a 70th birthday celebration. Reigns will kick off the show.
A new Roman Reigns shirt has also been seen in the merch stands prior to Raw. The shirt says “We Fight. We Overcome. We Believe.”
According to PWInsider, Bruce Prichard is backstage tonight, his first night back with WWE creative. Also backstage are Sting, Shawn Michaels, Becky Lynch and Charlotte.
WWE’s YouTube page has a collection of Ric Flair promos ahead of his birthday celebration tonight.
WWE Day Of has a look at the women’s tag team ahead of their Elimination Chamber match.
SummerSlam travel packages will be available starting on March 5 at noon.
A by the numbers video in celebration of the fifth anniversary of the WWE Network.
Another video has Pat McAfee taking a look at the Lafayette crowd last week on Raw.
WrestleMania 34 in its entirety has been uploaded to YouTube in celebration of the WWE Network’s fifth anniversary.
Dwayne Johnson in a comic strip.

Pro Wrestling

Atsushi Onita underwent surgery for three hours on 2/21 to replace both knees. He will still be coming to the US on 4/5, but only for pictures and autographs. He’s been announced for Joey Janela’s Spring Break events WrestleMania weekend.
PWInsider is reporting that Tammy Sytch was arrested for a DWI on 2/23. She is currently incarcarated at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility in Freehold, New Jersey.
The latest episode of NWA Ten Pounds of Gold has Nick Aldis talking with Dory Funk Jr. about the history of the title.
Tae Honma, the ace of the J@st women’s promotion in Japan is looking to do independent shows around 4/14 and 4/15. The promotion is flying her to the U.S. J@st is a break off from Reina that runs at Shinkiba first ring. Honma is coming for a tour of Mexico that starts on 4/17 with CMLL so they are looking for U.S. dates prior to the tour. Officials of the promotion would attend the shows with her and would scout U.S.,. women’s talent on those shows. They would also have Japanese media cover the shows so the promotion will get coverage in Japan, They are also looking at sending her to the U.S.,. and Mexico around June or July. For more info, contact [email protected]
USA Championship Wrestling is doing an Eddie Gilbert Tribute show on 3/9 in Jackson, TN at the Oman Arena headlined by Jerry Lawler & Doug Gilbert vs. Tommy Rich & Matt Riviera in a fall count anywhere in Madison County match, plus Jimmy Valiant and Tom Prichard will wrestle on the show and Phil Hickerson will make an appearance. The show is being taped for Pivotshare.
AAW from Saturday night in Chicago before a sellout 575 fans: Ace Perry b Sheldon Jean, Savannah Stone b Judy Threat, Gringo Loco won four-way over Jake Landers, Logan James and Aaron Orion. The first three bouts were preshow matches for their You Tube channel. Main card for Art of War: Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel b Ace Romero & Paco & Rich Swann, Sammy Guevara b Darby Allin (Guevara before the match vowed to win with a side headlock takedown, and got the pin after a low blow and a side headlock takedown), Mance Warner b Jimmy Jacobs, DJZ b Australian Suicide in a heritage title match, David Starr & Eddie Kingston & Jake Something & Curt Stallion b Mat Fitchett & Sami Callihan & Jessicka Havok, MJF b Kimber Lee, Jacob Fatu b Stephen Wolf (Fatu’s debut), Kylie Rae b Su Yung to keep women’s title, LAX won three-way elimination match over Penta 0M & Rey Fenix and champions AR Fox & Myron Reed to win the tag titles in 13:54. Fox & Reed were eliminated first. This was where the Young Bucks interfered and took out the Lucha Bros that allowed LAX to win and take the title. Next show is 3/16 in Chicago at the Logan Square Arena with Psicosis and Juventud Guerrera.
ICW from Sunday in Glasgow, Scotland before 1,000 fans: Kings of Catch b Rampage Brown & Ashton Smith to keep the tag titles, Kay Lee Ray NC Toni Storm in a women’s title match, Joe Coffey b Ilja Dragunov to keep the Zero G title, Lionheart b Angelico to keep the ICW title, Lightning won Square Go (a rumble match where the winner earns a title shot on a day they choose for up to one year throwing out Joe Hendry. Jeff Jarrett was in the Rumble. (thanks to Jordan Clark)
Progress from Sunday in London before a sellout 700 fans: Mark Haskins b Trivet & Chuck Mambo-DQ in a handicap match, Millie McKenzie b Bea Priestley, Nina Samuels b Jinny (both earn shots in a four-way later for the women’s title), Jordan Devlin b Travis Banks-DQ, Will Ospreay & Paul Robinson b Aussie Open to keep the tag titles, Trent Seven b Timothy Thatcher to keep the Atlas title, Walter b Chris Ridgeway to retain the Progress title. Seven challenged Walter to a title vs. title match in May. Next Electric Ballroom show is 3/31 with Ospreay & Robinson vs. Aussie Open in a TLC Match for the titles plus LAX vs. Jonathan Gresham & Chris Brookes. (thanks to Paul Sosnowski)
Northeast Wrestling from Saturday night in Bethany CT: Keith Youngblood & Zane Bernardo & RJ Rude b Cam Zagami & Tommy Grayson & PJ Grayson, Chuck O’Neil (the MMA fighter) b Hammer Tunia, Brian Anthony b Chris Battle, Wrecking Ball Legursky b Brian Milonas, Anthony Battle & Daniel Evans b Mike Gamble & Dexter Loux, JT Dunn b Josh Briggs, Jake Manning b Christian Casanova, Brad Hollister b Bandido to keep the heavyweight title (thanks Nick Mahmood)
Femme Fatales from Friday night in Ottawa before 350 fans: Alexia Nicole & Willow Nightingale b Veda Scott & KC Spinelli, Samantha Heights b Neveah, Jessicka Havok b Penelope Ford, Mary Lee Rose b Angie Skye, Nicole Savoy b Nicole Matthews, Kris Statlander won three-way over Mercedes Martinez and Allysin Kay. Next shows are 5/4 in Quebec City and 8/10 in Toronto, the day before SummerSlam.
Pro Wrestling Phoenix on Thursday in Omaha at the Waiting Room Lounge.

UFC/MMA

The first episode of UFC 235 Embedded is up, looking at Jon Jones, Kamaru Usman and Anthony Smith.
Dillon Danis has been suspended seven months and fined $7,500 for his participation in the UFC 229 brawl. It’s retroactive to October 6, 2018.
Liz Carmouche is looking for a Valentina Shevchenko title fight after winning her fight at UFC Prague this past weekend.
A media lunch was held earlier this afternoon featuring Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren.
ESPN also has a look at Woodley and Askren’s friendship dating back to their time at the University of Missouri.
Paul Felder has been discharged from the hospital after suffering a collapsed lung during a fight two weeks ago. He’ll fly home Wednesday He talked to Luke Thomas about his injury struggles.
Luke Rockhold called out Thiago Santos on Twitter after his main event win in Prague.
So this really happened on a Road FC show, a moonsault off the cage and a flying dropkick

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Roman Reigns wins WWE Elimination Chamber

Ed in San Antonio presents the WRESTLEMANIAWeekend Events (more to be added):

Sunday, April 6th, at 12:00 pm: Lunch (all you can eat) at Churrascaria Plataforma ($90 per person), located at 316 W. 49th street in Manhattan. Purchase tickets here~!
Luxury Bus to MetLife Stadium for Wrestlemania: We will depart from the Hilton Midtown (site of Wrestlecon) located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Departure time is 4:00 pm and will return from MetLife approximately 30 mins after the event. Times are subject to change, and cost $67.00 per person for the round trip. Purchase tickets here~!

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Daily Update: Georges St-Pierre, Amanda Nunes, WWE notes

Posted on February 22, 2019 by F4W Staff

DAILY UPDATE