Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including what appears to be a sale of WWE to Endeavor perhaps announced by the time most of you listen to this, a full recap of Night 2 of WrestleMania 39 with Roman Reigns beating Cody Rhodes in the main event, all the news from the show and so much more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Endeavor, the parent company of UFC, is reportedly in advanced talks to purchase WWE on a deal that could be announced as soon as Monday.
CNBC’s Alex Sherman reported the news Sunday afternoon, hours before the second night of WrestleMania 39.
As part of the agreement, WWE and UFC would merge into one publicly traded company with 51% owned by Endeavor and the other 49% by WWE shareholders, according to the outlet’s sources.
Sherman reported the deal will give WWE an enterprise value of $9.3 billion and UFC with an enterprise value of $12.1 billion.
Vince McMahon is reportedly expected to remain as Executive Chairman of WWE with Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel expected to become the new company’s chief executive.
Endeavor president Mark Shapiro will serve in the same role for the newly created company with WWE CEO Nick Khan acting as president of the wrestling side of the business with Dana White remaining president of UFC.
Emanuel commented on the company’s potential interest in WWE last month during Endeavor’s fourth quarter earnings call. At the time, he seemed to suggest they weren’t looking at purchasing the company.
“As it relates to WWE, it’s an unbelievable product,” Emanuel said. “Vince, you know, created a great business. We’ve had a longstanding relationship with them over two decades. We’re doing on location business with them, streaming business with them, his business is really valuable. But we’re not going to do anything as it relates to changing our leverage position right now.”
The CEO of Endeavor has commented on the possibility of the company purchasing WWE.
When asked about purchasing WWE during Endeavor’s fourth quarter earnings call Tuesday afternoon, CEO Ari Emanuel said they were not going to do anything that would change their leverage position.
“As it relates to WWE, it’s an unbelievable product,” Emanuel said. “Vince, you know, created a great business. We’ve had a longstanding relationship with them over two decades. We’re doing on location business with them, streaming business with them, his business is really valuable. But we’re not going to do anything as it relates to changing our leverage position right now.”
The parent company of the UFC has been reported as a potential buyer of the promotion. Vince McMahon forced himself back as Chairman of the company in January, saying that he was back in order to facilitate a sale of the company. Bloomberg reported earlier this month that McMahon was looking for $9 billion for the company.
WWE and Endeavor Audio are partnering together for a podcast network.
It was announced via the Hollywood Reporter today that WWE and Endeavor Audio have agreed to develop “a podcast network that will feature several series focused on [WWE’s] superstar wrestlers.” WWE noted that further details, including launch timing and content creative, will be revealed in the coming weeks.
“Storytelling is at WWE’s core and we are eager to add the audio genre to our portfolio,” WWE Advanced Media executive vice president Jayar Donlan said. “Partnering with Endeavor Audio, an expert in podcasting, will enable us to provide our fans with unique content and reach new audiences across the platform.”
“We’re always looking to pair dynamic content with the best formats for listeners. Through our new partnership with WWE, we’re looking forward to tapping into their iconic event portfolio and talent base to create compelling audio content for their fans,” Endeavor Audio senior vice president Moses Soyoola said.
In January, it was announced that WWE was leaving Disney Streaming Services and would be partnering with Endeavor Streaming as their streaming provider for the WWE Network. The updated design for the Network launched last month.
Nikki & Brie Bella’s “The Bellas Podcast” is already part of Endeavor Audio.
WWE previously partnered with PodcastOne for a “30 Years of WrestleMania” podcast in 2014.
This year’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view offered WWE the chance to revitalize one of their best match types.
The Money in the Bank briefcases haven’t been all that much of a factor over the past couple of years. Both men’s winners (Braun Strowman and Baron Corbin) failed on their cash-ins. The women’s winners (Alexa Bliss and Carmella) were successful, but Bliss cashed in on the same night that she won the 2018 ladder match. WWE has missed out on being able to use Money in the Bank as a star-making tool or something to kick off notable angles.
A story on Ashley Massaro, the ramifications of her death, mental illness in pro wrestling and the legal fight she was in, the horrible story about Kuwait are all part of an extensive lead story in the current issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Look at her career before wrestling, life after wrestling, rundown the physical toll of pro wrestling, winning Diva Search, comments from those who knew her, her thoughts on a comeback, the concussion lawsuit and all the different questions her career as a swimsuit contest winner being rushed into pro wrestling matches because she got so popular so quickly raise.
Also look at the one debut of a promotion show in history that can compare with AEW’s Double or Nothing, look at the difference between this show and All In, the different fights the promotion has to face, and a detailed rundown of why Pac isn’t on the show, his status with the company, what the company wants out of its PPV shows, where a number of suggested surprise wrestlers are booked on that night, and why putting on the best shows is not the complete or even close to the key factor in a wrestling war.
Also look at the changes in television wrestling in the U.K. in 2020, and what this may mean when it comes to WWE and AEW in that market as far as exposure, and whether that is or isn’t a big issue.
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.
THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE
Endeavor, the parent company of UFC, filed to go public as we reported months ago was going to happen. So many of the changes that have been made was to go to more stable revenue streams rather than heavily volatile revenue streams to make the company look good long-term for investors.
Starrcast events at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas today and on FITE TV:
6 p.m. – Remembering Owen Hart hosted by Jim Ross
6:30 p.m. – Joey Ryan documentary (this will not be on FITE TV)
8:30 p.m. – Ron Funches and friends comedy show
8:30 p.m. – An Evening with Cody & The Young Bucks
Reader Daniel Thomason noted that he lives in Dallas and during Raw there was a commercial for the New Japan show in Dallas on 7/6. The commercial didn’t mention the names of any wrestlers or matches, but it was the first TV commercial airing in the market.
We may have tickets left (would be down to two or three at most) for the Observer readers section for Double or Nothing combined with the Q&A on Saturday morning with me and Bryan Alvarez.
The Dark Side of the Ring posted this Bruce Prichard stuff edited out of their Randy Savage doc at Savage.
WWE
Carmella will be replacing Dolph Ziggler at the Oz Comic Con in Melbourne since the Comic Con is the same weekend as the Saudi Arabia show and Ziggler was a last-minute add to that show.
WWE has put up a December 4, 1983 show from the Omni in Atlanta on Hidden Gems, which includes Ted DiBiase vs. Buzz Sawyer and Ric Flair vs. Tommy Rich for the NWA title.
Hoosier Pro Wrestling on 6/1 in Columbus, OH at the 4-H Fairgrounds.
WrestleCircus on 6/23 in Austin, TX which will air live and free on Twitch.
CWE on 8/16 in Cochrane, Alberta at the Cochrane Ag Society Park.
Wrestling Revolver on 5/28 in Jeffersonville, IN at the Jeffersonville Arena with Larry D vs. Sami Callihan, Rich Swann vs. Trey Miguel for the Impact X title, Jimmy Jacobs vs. Mance Warner vs. Zachary Wentz in a bunkhouse mach, Dave Crist & Mad Man Fulton vs. Trash Punk in a tornado match and more.
Sabotage Wrestling on Saturday night in Austin TX airing live on the HighSpots Wrestling Network with Shotzi Blackheart vs. Ricky Starks, Kody Lane vs. Veda Scott and more.
Scarlett Bordeaux will be working the 7/26 WrestleRock show in Melbourne, Australia.
Combate America runs 6/21 in Hidalgo, TX which will air on Univision, Univision Deportes and DAZN. Ricky Palacios (11-1) faces Cooper Gibson (9-2) in a featherweight fight plus Enrique Gonzalez (7-3) vs. Alejandro Martinez (4-3) at 150 pounds.
Joey Janela vs. Joey Ryan takes place on 6/23 for World Series Wrestling in Sydney, Australia.
Penta 0M & Rey Fenix have pulled out of the 5/31 AAW show in Austin, TX citing a family commitment that came up. In their place, AAW has added AR Fox, Ace Austin, Clayton Gainz, Paco and Kody Lane. The show is headlined by Sami Callihan vs. Darby Allin for the AAW title, Jake Something vs. Jimmy Jacobs for the Heritage title, Jessicka Havok vs. Priscilla Kelly for the women’s title, Mance Warner vs. Eddie Kingston and Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz vs. Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett, plus Ace Romero Juventud Guerrera, Thunder Rosa, Josh Alexander and more.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m. for the ROH Summer Supercard at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto on 8/9. The show will feature talent from ROH, CMLL, New Japan and the NWA.
WrestleTalk will be having a YouTube show featuring action from many of the U.K.’s top promotions including Wrestle Gate.
Pro Wrestling Phoenix had its 14th anniversary show last night in Omaha: Branden Juarez b Tim Boston, Santos Barbosa b Con Artiest, Pat Powers b Nick King, Uncle Ricky b Preston Maxwell, Brett Bishop b Moonshine Russell, Lars Metzger & Johnny Ruckus b Paul & Joey Daniels-DQ, Seto Kobara b Jack Darling, Jaysin Strife b Tony Cortez, Duke Cornell won three-way elimination match over Michael Elgin and Willy Sweet. Next show is 6/19 in Omaha at the Waiting Room Lounge.
Paul Verlander is selling his Observer and wrestling magazine collection.
Ed in San Antonio presents PODER~! at the FSW arena on Friday 5/24 – Showtime is at noon – Main event: Bryan Alvarez vs. Logan Stunt
Empire dinner on Friday 5/24 at 8:30 p.m. at Texas de Brazil – Price is $82 – All you can eat meat and salad, sodas, tea, and coffee, plus dessert included
Empire suite party on Friday 5/24 for those who were not able to get the Q&A package – Price is $25
NEW JAPAN WORLD PRO WRESTLING ON AXS TV TONIGHT AT 8 P.M. EASTERN
Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Ryusuke Taguchi
BELLATOR FROM TEMECULA, CALIFORNIA AT 9 P.M. EASTERN ON PARAMOUNT AND DAZN
Joe Schilling (186) vs. Keith Berry (186)
Andrey Koreshkov (170.6) vs. Mike Jasper (171)
Daniel Strauss (155.6) vs. Shane Kruchten (155.8)
Saad Awad (156) vs. Brandon Girtz (155.6)
CMLL FROM ARENA MEXICO AT 10:30 P.M. TONIGHT (LINK)
Pegasso & Stigma vs. Akuma & Disturbio
Kawato San & Tigre & Virus vs. Black Panther & Blue Panther Jr. & Drone
Esfinge & Triton & Flyer vs. Templario & Felino & Rey Bucanero
Dragon Lee & Mistico & Titan vs. Cuatrero & Sanson & Negro Casas
Cavernario vs. Forastero for Mexican light heavyweight title
Caristico & Valiente & Volador Jr. vs. Tetsuya Naito & Rush & El Terrible
IMPACT AGAINST ALL ODDS AT 10 P.M. EASTERN TONIGHT ON PURSUIT
Glen Gilbertti vs. Scarlett Bordeaux
Brian Cage vs. Killer Kross
Taya Valkyrie vs. Jordynne Grace for the Knockouts title
COMBATE AMERICAS TONIGHT AT 10 P.M. EASTERN ON DAZN AND 1 A.M. ON UNIVISION DEPORTES FROM CASINO DEL SOL IN TUCSON, AZ
Eduardo Alvarado (136) vs. Andy Perez (135.8)
Jose Alday (134.4) vs. Gustavo Lopez (134.9) for the vacant bantamweight title
Saturday has as dual branded WWE show in Wheeling, WV and NXT in St. Augustine, FL. We’re looking for reports to [email protected].
UFC ON SATURDAY FROM THE WELLS FARGO CENTER IN PHILADELPHIA
ESPN+ at 3:30 p.m.
Alex Perez (135.25) vs. Mark De La Rosa (135.5)
Maryna Moroz (125.25) vs. Sabina Mazo (125.5)
Ray Borg (137.75) vs. Casey Kenney (135.5)
ESPN at 5 p.m.
Kevin Holland (185) vs. Gerald Meerschaert (185.5)
Kevin Aguilar (145) vs. Enrique Barzola (145)
Ross Pearson (155.25) vs. Desmond Green (155)
Jessica Aguilar (115.25) vs. Marina Rodriguez (114.75)
Sodiq Yusuff (145.5) vs. Sheymon Moraes (145)
Paul Craig (205) vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu (205.5)
Michelle Waterson (115.5) vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (114.75)
Michael Johnson (146) vs. Josh Emmett (145.75)
David Branch (185.5) vs. Jack Hermansson (185)
Edson Barboza (155.5) vs. Justin Gaethje (155.5)
*Borg was fined 30 percent of his purse for missing weight.
Sunday has a dual branded WWE show in Hershey, PA.
ONE FROM TOKYO SUMO HALL AT 5:30 A.M. SUNDAY EASTERN ON B/R LIVE
Eddie Alvarez vs. Timofey Nastyukhin in lightweight tournament
Demetrious Johnson vs. Yuya Wakamatsu in flyweight tournament
Kevin Belingon vs. Bibiano Fernandes for bantamweight title
Aung La N Sang vs. Ken Hasegawa for middleweight title
Jing Na Xiong vs. Angela Lee for strawweight title
Edouard Folayang vs. Shinya Aoki for lightweight title
ROH SUNDAY AT 6 P.M. EASTERN AT THE UMBC EVENT CENTER IN BALTIMORE
Sumie Sakai & Jenny Rose vs. Kris Stadtlander & Tasha Steelz vs. Gabby Ortiz & Karissa Rivera
Cheeseburger & Eli Isom & Ryan Nova vs. LSG & Shaheem Ali & Colin Delaney
Kenny King vs. P.J. Black
Mark Haskins vs. Silas Young
Rush vs. Tracy Williams
Marty Scurll vs. Shane Taylor
Juice Robinson & Bandido vs. TK O’Ryan & Vinny Marseglia vs. Jay Lethal & Jeff Cobb
PCO & Brody King vs. Mark & Jay Briscoe for ROH tag titles
The final Raw before WrestleMania will be in Washington, DC with an all-hands on deck show including Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns and Ronda Rousey all advertised. There is also a Smackdown house show in Roanoke, VA.
The Smackdown and 205 Live tapings are Tuesday in Baltimore.
While interest has inevitably decreased over the years, the 2019 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony feels like less of an essential part of WrestleMania weekend than ever.
There are a few major reasons why the Hall of Fame ceremony has lost some of its luster. As WrestleMania week has become a destination for promotions from the United States and abroad, fans have to make difficult decisions on how they’re going to spend their time and money.
The Conor McGregor situation is the lead story in the current issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Look at the investigation into him, his retirement, the timing, and why the retirement and Dana White’s reactions are both a public bluffing game.
Read the update on the WrestleMania card, both matches announced and those not yet announced, the Charlotte Flair title win and what it changes about the show, the multiple changes in the top part of the show, the women in the main event, the interest level in the different shows that week and more.
Also look at the New Japan Cup, with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results, on the entire last week of the tournament and the final show.
Look at Vince McMahon’s stock sale, how much he sold, how much he got and why, as well as the XFL launch and problems with the AAF. Look at the AAF’s new goal.
Look at the retirement of the Bella Twins and their careers, the value of Total Divas and their future plans.
Examine the lawsuit settlement with the wrestlers who have sued Lucha Underground, and the interesting note of the person who backed out of the suit.
Also look at Cain Velasquez’s crossing over into pro wrestling and his deal with AAA, including what they attempted to do with him, the storyline building him up and the wrestlers it looks like he’ll appear with.
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.
FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
Garrett Gonzalez and I will be doing a show tonight talking about all the news of the day. Bryan and I will be doing a show live together tomorrow night.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Endeavor, the parent company of the UFC, is getting ready to go public. We reported that a few weeks ago in the Observer. They are looking at doing so by the end of this year. Endeavor was valued at $6.3 billion in 2017 but it may be significantly higher because UFC itself is probably valued at $6 billion or more given it’s profitability will be similar to that of the post-FOX WWE. They noted that Endeavor had paid back $400 million in funding by Saudi Arabia to get them out of the company in the wake of the Khashoggi murder.
Regarding John Cena, there is a deal on the table that Cena is expected to agree to for a match at WrestleMania. It is not with Kurt Angle.
For the WWE this weekend, they are doing three house shows with talent from both brands. The list of those on tour is Drew McIntyre, Asuka, Finn Balor,Bobby Lashley, Rusev, Shinsuke Nakamura, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Baron Corbin, Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins (first house shows in a long time), Braun Strowman, Samoa Joe, Kofi Kingston, Dean Ambrose,, Mandy Rose and A.J. Styles. For the Monday night Smackdown show in Roanoke, it’s the full-time crew which doesn’t include Miz, Rey Mysterio, or Daniel Bryan. Randy Orton is working Monday. Daniel Bryan will be on Smackdown on Tuesday.
Gegard Mousasi vs. Rafael Lovato Jr. for the Bellator middleweight title was announced for a 6/22 show at SSE Wembley in London. Paul Daley and Jack Gallagher are also scheduled for that show.
WWE
Luke Harper wrote a long message about how he hasn’t been brought to television since 10/2 (when he had wrist surgery) and noted that six years ago he wrestled multiple matches at Axxess and was part of Undertaker’s WrestleMania ring entrance. Five years ago he watched John Cena wrestle Bray Wyatt. Four years ago he was in an IC title match. Three years ago he wrestled Brock Lesnar on a network special. Last year he won the tag team titles with his wife and sons watching. And Thursday he wrestles Dominik Dijakovic at Axxess. He said this will not be some throw away match at Axxess as he needs to prove at 39 he can still go.
Regarding the WWE schedule, and we’ll have a big article on it in the next issue with a lot of updates, WWE does have Raw scheduled on 7/1 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, five days before the New Japan G-1 show in the same building.
USA Network will be airing one hour of the WWE Hall of Fame at 11 p.m. on 4/8, right after Raw. (thanks to Arya Witner)
WWE and Atresmedia in Spain announced a deal to air a two-hour edited version of Raw on Saturdays at 1 p.m. and two hours of Smackdown on Sundays at 1 p.m.
James Wilder Jr., a running back who was part of Florida State’s national championship team years ago, has a WWE tryout upcoming. Wilder Jr. is currently a running back with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.
Seth Rollins talked to Newsweek about WrestleMania. (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)
UFC
Francisco Trinaldo vs. Diego Ferreira has been added to the 5/11 show in Rio de Janeiro.
MISCELLANEOUS
All Japan’s Champion Carnival tournament starts on Thursday.
Combate Americas ha a show on 4/26 from the Galen Center in Los Angeles that will air live on Univision, Univision Deportes and DAZN with Melissa Martinez (5-0) vs. Caroline Gallardo (3-2). Former UFC fighter Angela Magana faces Kyra Batara.
Ladies Night Out on 4/27 in Texas City,TX at the World Gym Arena headlined by Penelope Ford. The show will air live on TitleMatch.com.
Stardom announced Hazuki defending the High Speed title against Dust for their show in Queens, NY on 4/5 at 4 p.m. which airs on FITE as an iPPV.
Pro Wrestlnig Eve has two shows in April, on 4/13 and 4/26 at the Resistance Gallery in London. The 4/26 show will be the Kris Wolf retirement show.
Matt Sydal returns to action on 4/21 in Lehavot Haviva, Israel for the Passover Bash at the Berale Club. He faces Rabbi Swissa for the IPWA title. He also will be doing a seminar at 2 p.m. that day. For those interested you can write to Gery Roif as [email protected].
Smash Wrestling on Sunday in London, ONT at the London Music Hall.
The Netflix film “The Dirt,” about Motley Crue, which was mentioned in the last Observer because Tarryn Terrell has a cameo, also should be noted that Tommy Lee is wearing a Hulkamania T-shirt since the movie is set during the 80s. (thanks to Joe Puccio)
Evolve on 4/13 in Ybor City, FL at the Orpheum:
Austin Theory vs. Raul Mendoza for the Evolve title
Angelo Dawkins vs. Eddie Kingston
Shane Thorne vs. Curt Stallion
Adrian Jaoude vs. Anthony Henry
Lacey Lane and Eric Bugenhagen from WWE are also on the show.
Ed in San Antonio presents the WRESTLEMANIAWeekend Event:
Saturday, 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~!
