Tag: chicago

CM Punk names remaining WWE hometown goal

Posted on by Joseph Currier

CM Punk still has one major goal that he wants to accomplish in his hometown of Chicago.

When asked if there are any other achievements he hopes to conquer in Chicago, Punk told the Mostly Sports podcast that he really wants to wrestle at Wrigley Field (the home of the Chicago Cubs). Punk said the Wrigley Field executives are interested in hosting a WWE event, but it’s hard to coordinate a date because Major League Baseball does not release its schedule far enough in advance.

“Wrigley Field. Wrestle at Wrigley Field. I’m putting that one out in the universe right now,” Punk said. “The executives at Wrigley are chomping at the bit, they want a WWE show. The problem with it — and I’ll throw Major League Baseball under the bus — is they won’t release the schedule until, you know, they want to. So we can’t get a jumpstart and look at dates and stuff like that. Yes, Wrigley hosts concerts in the summertime and stuff like that. But they won’t give us a big enough head start to figure out dates.

“That’s why I was kind of rooting for the Dodgers to win the World Series, to further solidify the [MLB] lockout in 2027. Because, yeah, I’m 100 percent selfish — if there’s no baseball in 2027, that means I’m selling out Wrigley Field. I’ve sold out every place in Chicago with a roof, so now I gotta go to these outdoor places. Wrigley to me is church. It’s got a little bit of wrestling history, there were some matches there, they used to wrestle at old Comiskey [Park] too. So I’m looking forward to that. That’s what I have to conquer in Chicago.”

A WWE event at Wrigley would likely need to happen close to summertime given that the ballpark is outdoors and the weather in Chicago can be unpredictable. The Cubs play games in the spring and summer, so the WWE show would have to happen on an off-day or when the team is out of town.

The city of Chicago is set to host a WWE PLE in February 2026 with Elimination Chamber being held at the United Center.

John Cena’s next WWE SmackDown appearance might have added significance

Posted on by Josh Nason

John Cena’s final appearance in Chicago as an active wrestler is scheduled for Friday’s WWE SmackDown and a new report out Thursday implies it will have added significance for the soon-to-be retired star.

Wrestlevotes reported that Cena’s appearance at the Allstate Arena is thought by some within WWE to be his final appearance on the blue brand. If true, it would hold significance as Cena’s first SmackDown appearance and final one would come at the same arena.

That first appearance was a famous one: a challenge of Kurt Angle on June 25, 2002. Angle won in less than six minutes, but the appearance remains one that is referred frequently to when talking about Cena’s past.

The 48-year-old has wrestled 28 times at the venue with the last coming against Elias on the Christmas night edition of Raw in 2017.

Cena has eight dates remaining on his schedule through the end of the calendar year, two of which have yet to be announced:

  • Friday, September 5: WWE SmackDown (Chicago, IL)
  • Monday, September 15: WWE Raw (Springfield, Massachusetts)
  • Saturday, September 20: WWE Wrestlepalooza (Indianapolis, Indiana)
  • Saturday, October 11: WWE Crown Jewel: Perth (Perth, Australia)
  • Saturday, November 29: WWE Survivor Series (San Diego, CA)
  • Saturday, December 13:  WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event (retirement match/final appearance)
  • TBD
  • TBD

John Cena’s final WWE Chicago appearance set

Posted on by Joseph Currier

John Cena is heading to Chicago this September for his final WWE appearance in the city.

WWE announced a slate of new Raw and SmackDown dates today, confirming a couple of stops Cena will be making on his retirement tour. Cena will appear on the September 5 episode of SmackDown at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois and the Monday, September 15 episode of Raw at Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The Rosemont date is being advertised as Cena’s final appearance in Chicago. It’s expected that Cena will be back in Massachusetts this December when his final match takes place in Boston, but details of that have not been confirmed by WWE yet.

“Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena will make his final appearance in Chicago when SmackDown returns to Allstate Arena on Friday, September 5, followed by a return to his home state of Massachusetts when Raw takes place at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield on Monday, September 15,” WWE wrote.

Whether Cena will still be Undisputed WWE Champion when these shows happen remains to be seen. He has a title defense against Cody Rhodes set for SummerSlam in August.

The full list of new Raw and SmackDown dates is available below. As of now, Cena is only advertised for the Rosemont and Springfield shows. The ticket on-sale date for each event is Friday, July 25 at 10 a.m. local time.

New WWE event dates —

  • September 5: SmackDown at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois (John Cena advertised)
  • September 8: Raw at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • September 12: Smackdown at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia
  • September 15: Raw at Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts (John Cena advertised)
  • September 29: Raw at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina
  • October 3: SmackDown at Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, Ohio
  • October 6: Raw at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas
  • October 17: SmackDown at SAP Center in San Jose, California
  • October 20: Raw at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California
  • October 24: SmackDown at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona
  • November 24: Raw at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Daily Update: Goldberg, Chicago mask mandate, Ruby Soho

Posted on by Bryan Rose

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

JOB LISTING: Web/UI Developer(s)

  • Experience with OnLamp (Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP)
  • GITHUB and Linux command line experience while be helpful as well.
  • CMS – Drupal and WordPress. vBulletin
  • Possible experience with AWS (s3 specifically), Dreamhost, UI development
  • Cloud based hosting experience a plus
  • Javascript also a huge plus

While this is a diverse request this doesn’t have to be just one person! If you fit any part of this please feel free to inquire.

This is not just for projects related to F4WOnline.

  • Send all inquiries to [email protected] with title WEB DEVELOPER.
  • If you have inquired before, please send your information again. 

Latest Free YouTube Video:

Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!

WON NEWSLETTER: August 16, 2021 Observer Newsletter: More NXT cuts, Dominic DeNucci passes away

In this week’s issue:

  • The latest set of WWE cuts and the more important political battle and changes in what WWE wants out of developmental
  • Going through all of the WWE talent cut, who can benefit where, why decisions were made
  • Life of Dominic DeNucci, the biggest drawing babyface ever in Australia and trainer of many top stars
  • Gable Steveson wins gold medal, looking at the big decision Steveson has to make, AEW star challenges Gable Steveson and Steveson’s response
  • Hall of Fame season, what top draws are not in
  • Full coverage of UFC 265
  • CMLL loses four major names, another talks his problems, and the big picture of what is leading to the decline of the world’s oldest and formerly most stable promotion
  • WWE & AEW business, how ticket sales are going, lineups for the big events, secondary market demand, what shows scalpers overbought which shows they under bought
  • Preview of this year’s TripleMania
  • A look at all the ratings of the past week and analysis
  • Name changes of wrestlers coming
  • A number of COVID positives in Japan and others having to quarantine
  • Previewing NJPW’s show in Los Angeles, Jr. tag tourney standings, frustrations with COVID impacting New Japan
  • Peggy Lathan – The Queen of Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling
  • Lots of news regarding Rampage carriage outside the U.S.
  • Update on Max Caster
  • McGregor melts down regarding Cormier’s criticism
  • Adam Cole update
  • WWE & AEW International TV numbers
  • Former controversial WWE performer running for public office and complains about WWE COVID policies
  • What WWE segments on television were the most watched after the fact
  • More detail on the ratings than any other source, how many different viewers the shows had, breakdown of who watches the shows, how they watch, DVR numbers and how long the average fan watches
  • Results of the major pro wrestling events of 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.

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • The dark match following last night’s Raw had Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods defeating The Miz and John Morrison.
  • In an interview with DAZN, Goldberg talked about his feud with Riddle, saying that at the very least, he appreciates his passion for the business. “Yeah. The cocky kid (Riddle) spouting off his mouth in the beginning, and I didn’t appreciate it very much by any stretch of the imagination. But the guy has put in a lot of frickin hard work and a lot of hard work, and he’s dedicated his life to this business. Whether I like him as a human being or not, I have to understand and appreciate his passion for the business and his work ethic. Because he works hard and that I appreciate as an athlete and as a human. Is he a prick sometimes? Absolutely. But that’s him. That’s his character, and so am I.”
  • In an interview with TMZ Sports, Seth Rollins said he would train Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson if given the opportunity. “I mean, we’d love to have him,” he said. “He seems like an incredible athlete, and decent dude. And, you know, we’ve had some luck with Olympic gold medalists before, so why not? I do have a wrestling school, Black and Brave Wrestling Academy, so if he wants to move to Davenport, Iowa for three months, we’ll get him ready.”
  • Seth Rollins spoke to Richard Deitsch about this weekend’s SummerSlam event.
  • Taylor Rust, aka Tyler Rust in WWE, talked to WrestlingInc about the rumored power struggles between NXT and forces on the main roster. “I know there’s a lot of rumors now as far as Vince wanting to overhaul the NXT product and everything,” he said. “Sometimes, rumors, maybe they’re right. We’ll see how it is going forward from there, but from my experience there, there wasn’t really many eggshells as far as upper management not being happy. Everything they saw whenever they came to the Performance Center and they saw us training, they absolutely loved it. I remember hearing exact words were always like, ‘This is amazing. This is everything that we want to invest in,’ how much they were proud of all the hard work we were doing there at the Performance Center, and they see the way we train, the way that we work. They see how hard we really, really work on this product, and it was always such positive feedback from everybody upstairs, honestly.”
  • A trailer has been released for WWE 24: WrestleMania 37, which will stream on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Stephanie McMahon was on Sports Business Radio to discuss SummerSlam and growing up in the McMahon household.
  • WWE will introduce an Instagram Live Shopping experience starting at 1:30 pm ET on August 19. Fans will be able to purchase SummerSlam and other WWE Shop products in real time.
  • Matches added to WWE’s YouTube channel today include Cesaro vs. Sheamus from the 2016 SummerSlam kickoff and The Miz vs. John Cena vs. John Morrison from Extreme Rules 2011.
  • Paige turns 29 today.

Other Wrestling

  • Here is the Road to Dynamite for this week, focusing on Chris Jericho vs. MJF, Britt Baker, The Young Bucks, and Sting.
  • Chicago is reinstating a mask mandate for indoor public spaces starting Friday for anyone over the age of 2. This will apply for AEW’s Rampage event this Friday and All Out week.
  • Showbuzz Daily, a source of cable and broadcast ratings which announced their closure in June, has resurfaced and is back providing ratings.
  • Ruby Soho released her first vignette following her WWE release.
  • Heels’ premiere on Starz Sunday drew 128,000 viewers, with 23,000 viewers in the 18-49 demographic.
  • Esquire Middle East spoke to Stephen Amell, who said he told CM Punk to return to an AEW ring. “I hope he comes back in the ring because I can tell you from experience that that boy can still go. He can still really go,” he said. I tried not to be a full fanboy with him. Alexander [Ludwig] had us all over for dinner towards the end of the season, and I finally said to him, ‘come on, man, you gotta come back. You have got to go back for one big match, either at Wrestlemania or AEW.”
  • Billy Corgan told Sports Illustrated that the NWA has acquired Mildred Burke’s version of the NWA Women’s title. The title will be on display at NWA EmPower when current champion Kamille defends the title against AEW’s Leyla Hirsch.
  • The NWA has a Road To EmPower video, with a sit-down interview with Billy Corgan and Mickie James.
  • The latest episode of Sammy Guevara’s vlog, which focuses on Fuego del Sol being signed by AEW.
  • Dave Prazak on Twitter: “Back in the hospital. Fingers crossed.”
  • Pittsburgh Magazine has a profile on AEW’s recent shows in the city and also has an interview with Britt Baker.
  • The Times has a profile on Dominic DeNucci, who passed away last Thursday. 
  • Sarah Rowe (Logan) is the guest on this week’s Oral Sessions with Renee Paquette.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: WWE SummerSlam 2014

CONTACT INFORMATION

Left My Wallet: Mike Sempervive and Sidney Bakabella

Posted on by Antonio Garza

‘I Left My Wallet’ is back with our very own Mike Sempervive and an unexpected run-in by manager extraordinaire Sidney Bakabella.

Mike and I start off talking about the current state of Washington sports, his disdain for the Stanley Cup winning Capitals and love of the Rangers, Alexander Ovechkin’s partying, memories of AM radio baseball and WFAN, the Wizards, the Nationals and more.

During our chat, pro wrestling manager Sidney Bakabella called in and had a few choice words for a few people here at the EMPIRE~!. He also talked about Chicago sports, Jim McMahon, WrestleMania II participaint William “Refrigerator” Perry, Michael Jordan, and more.

It’s a very different chat with Mike and Sidney and must be heard to be believed. It’s another fun show with two of your favorite Wrestling Observer Live personalities, so enjoy!

Also, be sure to check out the archives for my talks with Dave Meltzer, Flip Gordon, Simon Diamond, Kevin Kelly, and more.

Right click save

WWE Chicago, IL, live results: Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton II

Posted on by F4W Staff

Submitted by George Atsaves from the Allstate Arena

– Sasha Banks, Bayley & Alicia Fox defeated Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte, Dana Brooke & Nia Jax

Banks, Bayley and Charlotte were super over. Crowd loved Bayley and Banks, and they loved to hate Charlotte. Banks won with the backstabber into the Bank Statement on Brooke.

– Braun Strowman defeated Sin Cara

Strowman won in a quick squash.

– Golden Truth & Darren Young w/ Bob Backlund defeated Titus O’Neil, Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas

Truth picked up the win for his team after pinning Axel.

– Mark Henry defeated Epico

Shining Stars came out to sell timeshares and put over Puerto Rico, but Henry was having none of that. He squashed Epico in a few minutes and won with the World’s Strongest Slam.

– Cesaro defeated Sheamus

Cesaro won with the sharpshooter. He broke out a pretty fluid 619 for a huge pop earlier in the match. Match was good, on par with their Raw matches.

– Chris Jericho defeated Neville

Before the match started, Jericho came out to cut a promo. He had his scarf and the list of things he hates. Neville then came out to start the match. Jericho countered a springboard move into a Codebreaker to get the win.

– Brock Lesnar defeated Randy Orton

Lesnar came out with Heyman to a massive pop. Heyman cut a promo saying that the match would have no disqualifications, countouts, or stoppages. Orton’s music hit but he came through the crowd and hit a flash RKO for a close near fall. Orton used a chair to Lesnar’s back which left some welts. Orton lost when he got hit with an F5 after teasing a punt. After the match, Lesnar hit three German suplexes on Orton before leaving.

– Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day defeated Enzo Amore & Big Cass and Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows in a triple threat tag match to retain their titles

Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods worked the match. New Day won after pinning Anderson with a combo backbreaker by Kingston into a foot stomp by Woods.

– Roman Reigns defeated United States Champion Rusev by DQ

Reigns won by DQ in a good match, but Rusev retained after using the ring bell as a weapon. Lana got sent backstage early in the match. After the DQ, Reigns speared Rusev and posed in the ring.

– There was an announcement that WWE would be back at the Allstate Arena on December 26th for Raw and December 27th for SmackDown.

– WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn and Seth Rollins in a triple threat match to retain his title

Owens pinned Zayn with the pop-up powerbomb. Great match with lots of back and forth. Owens superkicked Rollins and yelled “I’m the king of Crossfit!” and started doing jumping jacks. Crowd loved all three guys. After the match, Zayn cut the “thanks for coming out tonight!” promo and posed for selfies/autographs at ringside.