Tag: ONE

Daily Update: NBC Sports-USA Network, UFC 257, ONE

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

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WON NEWSLETTER: January 25, 2021 Observer Newsletter: Why a quarantine policy could affect wrestling & MMA

We’ve got a double issue of the Observer out this week with notes on how President Biden’s new policies on international travel will affect wrestlers and fighters from different countries.

Also in this issue:

The new WrestleMania plans, including how the Super Bowl plays into it, the time frame for the shows for both nights, the inside hopes for attendance and how the dynamic is different this year as to what gets announced.  We also look at the decision making in regards to Dallas and Los Angeles, update the Royal Rumble and also have notes on match plans.

Coverage of Impact Hard to Kill, with notes on the key angles, the departure of Madison Rayne, Taya Valkyrie and Ethan Page, Page’s scathing words after his departure, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

Dwayne Johnson’s new TV show about his life, new WWE signees, Dusty Rhodes men’s and women’s tournament, Kofi Kingston talks his injury, WWE television personality gets an ESPN TV show, A.J. Styles talks retirement, lawsuit update, where wrestling shows ranked with network sports, who is looking for new entrance music, what aspect of WWE’s major events are they trying to sell, why Raw will have two very tough dates for competition soon, as well as the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.

Coverage of both UFC shows over the past week and the story behind Max Holloway’s setting records.

A story on the life of Paul Varelans, an early star of UFC and MMA around the world, as well as his different forays with four different pro wrestling companies as well as his infamous angle with Taz in ECW. For the first time, Missy Hyatt talks publicly about the situation plus comments from all involved. We look at the tournament days of UFC, crazy street fights, and much more.

A story on the life of Guy Hauray, the voice of WWF in France for a generation. 

A story on famous carnival shooter and pro wrestler Dick Cardinal, who was the oldest living pro wrestler at the time of his death. 

History of the biggest draws in pro wrestling each year from 1916 to 2020, including what wrestlers were No. 1 for the most years. 

Win-loss record of every WWE talent in 2020 including who wrestled the most dates, who never lost, who never won and more.

Television ratings of the past week, segment-by-segment numbers for the past two weeks on Wednesday, who was watching in different age groups, how different segments did on Raw & Smackdown.

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.

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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

Garrett Gonzalez and I will be doing a show tonight covering news of the past week, as well as a look at the history of Memphis Wrestling with Randy Hales, who worked as the General Manager of the promotion under Jerry Jarrett. Bryan and I will be back Saturday night covering New Japan, Smackdown and UFC 257.

There was a huge media story today regarding NBCUniversal looking at major changes, the biggest one being shutting down the NBC Sports Network. The key is that the sports properties that carried the network, the NHL, NASCAR and soccer among them, will move to USA. Right now there is no specific word on what this means, and the NHL contract with NBCU expires after the current season. But NBCU is likely to move the NHL if they keep it to USA. That could affect Raw, but probably won’t. If NBCU keeps the rights, this has a good chance to mean that NXT would have to be moved from Wednesday since the NHL is a far higher profile show, reaches a higher income viewers, younger viewers and stronger ad rates than NXT. Right now there is nothing official but there are ramifications we’ll talk about tonight that are huge.  

UFC 257 had some late changes. Ottman Azaitar was fired for trying to sneak someone into his hotel room and breaking quarantine protocols and getting some sort of a box inside the hotel.  Nasrat Haqparast never weighed in due to an illness. Luckily their respective opponents agreed to fight each other. White said that Azaitar and his team cut off their wrist bands (that allowed them into the quarantined hotel) and gave them to somebody who shouldn’t have been let in.  That guy showed up with a big, went into a room, shimmied across four balconies, went into Azaitar’s room and dropped the bag off, changed his clothes and then left.  When security tried to stop him, he ran off.  

Weigh-ins for the show tomorrow:

ESPN+ at 7 p.m. Eastern

  • Amir Albazi (126) vs. Shalgas Zhumagulov (126)
  • Nik Lentz (150) vs. Movsar Evloev (150)

ESPN at 8 p.m. Eastern

  • Khalil Rountree (206) vs. Marcin Prachnio (205)
  • Sara McMann (135) vs. Julianna Pena (136)
  • Brad Tavares (185.5) vs. Antonio Carlos Jr. (185)
  • Matt Frevola (155.5) vs.; Arman Tsarukyan (157) – this was agreed to be at 157 pounds

PPV at 10 p.m. Eastern

  • Makhmud Muradov (186) vs. Andrew Sanchez (186)
  • Marina Rodriguez (116) vs. Amanda Ribas (116)
  • Jessica Eye (126) vs. Joanne Calderwood (126)
  • Dan Hooker (156) vs. Michael Chandler (156)
  • Conor McGregor (155) vs. Dustin Poirier (156)

Smackdown tonight has announced Big E vs. Apollo Crews for the IC title and Bayley vs. Bianca Belair in an obstacle course. 205 Live will have tag team tournament matches, a men’s match with Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher vs. Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari and a women’s match with Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell vs. Gigi Dolin & Cora Jade.

In relation to one of the articles in the new issue of the Observer, the NFL announced today that it will put 14,500 tickets on sale for the Super Bowl at Raymond James Stadium, and will also give 7,500 tickets to vaccinated healthcare workers from hospitals in Central Florida and also the NFL teams will send vaccinated healthcare workers from their cities to the game.  

How’s this for something different? Pro Wrestling Illustrated is about to publish its first-ever all Japanese edition. It will be a digital issue with extensive Tokyo Dome coverage, a look back at a famous Tokyo Dome match, and interviews with Kazuchika Okada and Takami Ohbari (new President of New Japan Pro Wrestling).

Bill Apter put this together talking about the famous Bruno Sammartino vs. Ivan Koloff match where Koloff ended Sammartino’s WWWF title reign, one of the most famous historical matches of all-time, on the 50th anniversary of the bout.

The ONE promotion will get another TV shot in the U.S. TNT will air a show on 4/7 at 10 p.m., right after Dynamite. Adriano Moraes defends the flyweight title against Demetrious Johnson and Eddie Alvarez faces Iuri Lapicus in the two main bouts.

Hajime Ohara of Pro Wrestling NOAH tested positive for COVID-19 and is out of action.  Thus far he is asymptomatic.  

New Japan has a live show from the Ota-Ward Gym at 3 a.m. Eastern or midnight Pacific tonight:

  • Minoru Suzuki & Douki vs. Gedo & Jado
  • Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Evil & Yujiro Takahash & Dick Togo
  • Will Ospreay & Great O’Khan vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima
  • Kota Ibushi & Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomoaki Honma & Sho & Master Wato vs. Tetsuya Naito & Sanada & Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi & Bushi in an elimination match
  • Desperado & Yoshnobu Kanemaru vs. El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori for the IWGP jr. tag titles

New Japan Strong at 10 p.m. on New Japan World:

  • Logan & Sterling Riegel vs. Jordan Clearwater & Kevin Knight
  • Brody King vs. JR Kratos
  • Bateman vs. Ren Narita

WWE

AEW

  • AEW has filed for a trademark for the term “Battle of the Belts,” which was the name for some 1980s television specials from Florida that Joe Koff of ROH produced, one of which was headlined by what was a match of the year contender with Ric Flair vs. Barry Windham for the NWA title. Battle of the Belts was also where Keiji Muto as Super Black Ninja made his U.S. national TV debut years before WCW or World Class.

OTHER NOTES

  • All Japan has a Sunday Korakuen Hall show on its streaming service headlined by Suwama vs. Shotaro Ashino for the Triple Crown and Koji Iwamoto vs. Fuminori Abe for the jr. title.
  • An interview with former All Japan star Joel Deaton.
  • Kevin Eck’s weekly ROH news report.
  • Brian Johnson won the poll on the ROH Facebook page to get a shot at Dragon Lee’s TV title.  The match will be taped and air as a Facebook exclusive. A Pure title match with Jonathan
  • Gresham defending against Joe Keys will air on the 1/30 television show.
  • A story on Ethan Page vs. Karate Man (thanks to Joe Puccio)
  • Mark Pickering has an interview with Japanese MMA legend Shinya Aoki, who also does pro wrestling for DDT and fought in ONE earlier today.
  • IWA from Saturday night in St Johns Park, New South Wales, Australia:  Tree Hugger Luchi b Brad Alexander, Kingsley b  Charli Evans, Dazza & Jimmy Townsend b Will Kiedis & Sam Osborne-DQ, Head Hunter Rig b Jude London, Chris Abbott b Matty Wahlberg to keep the IWA title (thanks to Kirk Beattie)
  • Guto Inocente, a former UFC fighter, will debut with KSW facing Michal Andryszak on the 1/30 show in Lodz, Poland.  
  • Paige VanZant will host a new radio show called Knuckle Up Radio with Paige VanZant every Wednesday at 5 p.m. through 2/10 in Sirius XM Fight Nation.
  • PCW from Melbourne, Australia will be running a ilve show on FITE.tv on 1/30.
  • Glory will have a one-night heavyweight tournament with Rico Verhoeven, Hesdy Gerges, Levi Rigters and Tarik Khbabez on 1/30. Originally Verhoeven was to defend his title against Jamal Ben Saddick but Ben Saddick suffered a back injury. There will be three title fights on the show.
  • Less than 100 tickets remain for the NFC Fight Night show on 1/30 at District in Atlanta headlined by Corey Jackson vs. Brandon Webb.  They also announced a 2/20 Jiu Jitsu show at Elite Edge Fitness in Atlanta.
  • EPW from earlier today in Perth, Western Australia:  Kaz Jordan won Battle Royal,Taskforce NC The Children in a tag title match, Taskforce b Stella Nyx & Tyler Jacobs to keep tag title, Casey Johns b Edith Night, David Storm b Kaz Jordan to keep Coastal title, Kiel Steria b Zenith, Michael Morleone & Julian Ward b Damien Slater & Marcius Pitt-DQ. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
  • Wayne Mattei, the former leader of the Bullet  Kliq in Australia, will be playing the role of Sgt. Slaughter in the NBC TV series “Young Rock.”    
  • Richard Holliday vs. Savio Vega in a Caribbean strap match for the Caribbean title will be on Wednesday’s MLW TV show.
  • Mayu Iwatani, Momo Watanabe and Saya Iida of Stardom made a surprise appearance at the Seadlinnng show in Tokyo earlier today. They did angles to set up Iwatani vs. Yoshiko and Watanabe vs. Nanae Takahashi on 3/3 at Budokan Hall as well as Watanabe & Iida vs. Takahashi & Arisa Nakajima on the 2/10 Seadlinng show.  
  • SoCal Uncensored announced its 2020 awards in this unusual year:
    Wrestler of the Year – Danny Limelight
    Women’s Wrestler of the Year – Heather Monroe
    Tag Team of the Year – Tito Escondido & Che Cabrera
    Most Outstanding Wrestler – Danny Limelight
    Rookie of the Year – Ray Romero Jr.
    Promotion of the Year – United Wrestling Network
    Match of the Year – KENTA vs. Brody King
  • CWE has announced its Manitoba and Alberta dates are canceled and moved to March.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: WWF Royal Rumble 1994

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

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

DAILY UPDATE

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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.

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 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

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Daily Update: Ronda/Becky clash, Kofi Kingston, Vitor Belfort

Posted on by F4W Staff

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News

Latest Audio

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Main roster arrivals and WWE departures

Last week was a period of arrivals and departures for WWE.

Without much advance warning, Ricochet, Aleister Black, Johnny Gargano, and Tommaso Ciampa all debuted on Raw last Monday. After news of them being backstage was reported online, WWE tweeted out pictures of them to hype that they were at the show. Triple H then opened Raw and confirmed that they would be debuting later in the night. Ricochet made a save for Finn Balor and teamed with him to defeat Bobby Lashley & Lio Rush, Black defeated Elias, and Gargano & Ciampa got a win against Raw Tag Team Champions The Revival in a non-title match.

WON NEWSLETTER: March 4, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Roman Reigns returns to WWE after leukemia remission

Roman Reigns (Leati Joseph Anoa’i, 33), returned to WWE after four months off, which included both a battle with leukemia as well as a role in the movie “Hobbs and Shaw” on the 2/25 show in Atlanta.

Georges St-Pierre announced his retirement on 2/21, seeming very happy to go out on his own terms but admitting that he was retiring now because UFC wasn’t interested in making a fight between him and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

New Japan this past week announced their first-ever 32-man New Japan Cup tournament, as well as announced its 47th anniversary show and sold out two joint Honor Rising shows with ROH.

Jeff Jarrett and his now-dormant Global Force Entertainment Company have filed a new $4.8 million lawsuit against Impact Wrestling and Anthem Entertainment in U.S. District Court in Tennessee on 2/21.

This week’s update on WrestleMania is that HHH vs. Batista is obviously a done deal.

The UFC debuted in the Czech Republic on 2/23 with a fight night event in Prague held on ESPN+ headlined by Jan Blachowicz and Thiago Santos in a light heavyweight bout.

Honky Tonk Man (Roy Wayne Ferris, 66) was announced on 2/26 as being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on 4/6 at the Barclays Center. Ferris had been asked in the past and turned it down because he didn’t like some of the restrictions in the contract claiming it would cost him independent money because he’d have to cancel dates.

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

by Bryan Rose and Dave Meltzer

WWE

  • Ronda Rousey and Becky Lynch spent most of the afternoon going after one another on Twitter. After calling out Rousey for using fake prison mugshot photos, Lynch took shots at her acting ability. Rousey replied with vulgar remarks about her armbar, which led to Lynch mocking Rousey’s husband Travis Browne. Rousey’s latest tweet doesn’t seem to indicate she’s taking things in stride.
  • Kofi Kingston wrote on Twitter: I need to take a couple of days to process what has actually happened. Shock, sadness, emptiness, frustration, anger, confusion are but a few feelings on a roller coaster of emotions. My entire career, has been a series of ups and downs, starts and stops. I really shouldn’t be surprised, but this one hurt. We came so close. And I was ‘we’ because this journey has been bigger than just me. It’s Woods’ journey, it’s E’s Journey, it’s every one of you who has followed and supported my career for the past 11 years. To have it all stripped away so suddenly is painful, to put it mildly. I appreciate you all more than you know and I thank you all for  your love and support. Mark my words: We will be back. The journey does not end here.”
  • There was a story making rounds because Dean Ambrose was advertised on dates past April, with the idea that he may have now agreed to a new deal.  According to WWE, the advertising was dated and he will no longer be promoted for those events.
  • WWE.com has a oral history article about the Nation of Domination featuring D-Lo Brown, Mark Henry, Ron Simmons and The Godfather.
  • WWE has video of wrestlers reacting “to the brutality of the Elimination Chamber”.
  • Keith Lee’s WWE theme song is now on YouTube.
  • Sgt. Slaughter was on Busted Open Radio.

Pro Wrestling

  • Luke Perry, best known for his role on Beverly Hills 90210 and the father of AEW star Jungle Boy is currently hospitalized after suffering from what is being reported as a massive stroke. The latest word is that he is currently sedated, but not in a coma.
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi’s IWGP title loss to Jay White will be featured on tomorrow night’s New Japan show on AXS TV.  Next Friday’s show will have the Kazuchika Okada vs Bad Luck Fale and Taiji Ishimori vs. Ryusuke Taguchi jr. title match.
  • WWN is doing a recruitment camp from 4/12 to 4/14 in Port Richey, FL. Those instructing at the camp will be WWE personnel Terry Taylor, Norman Smiley, Serena Deeb, wrestler Oney Lorcan, referee Drake Wuertz and WWN head of creative Gabe Sapolsky. Those who stand out will get invited to a WWE Performance Center tryout and/or regular bookings for Evolve and other WWN events. Participants will get tryout matches and be allowed to use their footage, professional photos, and be taught wrestling, ring entrances, promos, usage of social media and working with the announcers. For more info go to www.WWNLive.com or write to [email protected].
  • ROH has uploaded a Jay White vs. Will Ospreay match from War of the Worlds back in 2017. They will face each other at New Japan’s anniversary show on 3/6.
  • ROH tickets for 6/1 in Kent, WA at the ShoWare Center and 6/2 in Portland, OR at the Viking Pavilion go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m.
  • Jacob Fatu and Josef Samael will appear at MLW Intimidation Games this Saturday.
  • The term “Deadman Talking” that Starrcast applied for a trademark on was not for a podcast, but it was a name they would use for proposed speaking tour events. There is no deal in play for an Undertaker podcast.
  • CWE will be doing a 38 city tour across Canada including a show on 4/23 in Killarney, MB headlined by Psicosis, Vinny Marseglia, TK O’Ryan, Cheeseburger and Jimmy Jacobs.
  • Eve Pro Wrestling on 3/8 and 3/9 in Bethnal Green, London at the Resistance Gallery with Commando Bolshoi from Japan, Dr. Britt Baker, Jamie Hayter, Nina Samuels, and Mercedes Martinez.
  • The German Wrestling Federation has a live streaming show on Saturday night at 1 p.m. Eastern time with the GWF Light Heavyweight World Cup with first round matches of El Phantasmo vs. Jonny Storm, Justin Wylde vs. A-Kid, Lucky Kid vs XCem Kalan and Matt Cross vs. Angelico. The winners meet in a four-way championship match. The show can be viewed free on YouTube and Twitch.
  • Saturday’s Wrestle Rampage show in Adelaide, Australia was canceled due to a heat wave. Well, as reasons go, that’s a new one. Adam Brooks, scheduled as a headliner, is now working AAW in Perth that night.
  • Some matches coming up in Australia are Joey Ryan vs. Jordynne Grace on 3/8 in Melbourne, Brian Cage vs Scorpio Sky on 3/9 in Melbourne, Brody King vs. Jack Bonza vs, Matt Diamond vs. Abyss on 3/11 in Sydney. This will be Abyss’ last independent date in Australia.
  • Penta 0M & Rey Fenix vs. Sam Adonis & DJZ headlines tonight at the Rex Theater in Pittsburgh for WrestleRex, plus Sinn Bodhi vs. Beastman.
  • NFC MMA on 3/8 at Center Stage in Atlanta.
  • MCW on 3/9 in Hollywood, MD at the Volunteer Fire Department has appearances by Kevin Nash, Koko B. Ware and Madison Rayne.
  • Real Shoot Wrestling on Saturday night in Mannington, WV at the Mannington Gym.
  • Tennessee veteran Tony Givens is having what is billed as his retirement match on 3/30 in Kingsport, TN, teaming with Chase Owens against Chris Richards & Josh Cody in Kingsport TN at the Civic Auditorium for Innovate Wrestling.

UFC/MMA

  • According to Ariel Helwani, Vitor Belfort is on his way to Las Vegas and it is expected that he will announce that his officially a part of ONE Championship. He has been recently seen with CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
  • Jon Jones says he would rather face Brock Lesnar than Daniel Cormier, as “people have already seen me make ‘DC’ cry twice already.”
  • A fight between Greg Hardy and Dmitry Smoliakov is being worked on for UFC on ESPN 3 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
  • Poliana Botelho will fight Lauren Mueller at UFC 236.
  • Justin Burlinson has signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator.
  • Conor McGregor will be in Chicago on 3/15 for a pre-St. Patrick’s Day kickoff event.
  • UFC has announced a multi-year marketing sponsorship with Oscar Mayer and Devour frozen foods. Both will become corporate sponsors of UFC and will launch UFC-themed products at retail locations around the country.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen win NWA Tag Team Titles

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~!

CONTACT INFORMATION

Report: ONE Championship, Turner Sports to sign three-year deal

Posted on by Josh Nason

This story was updated at 3 PM Eastern.

The most active and financially lucrative year in combat sports TV content history continued Tuesday with the news that ONE Championship, formerly ONE Fighting Championship, is coming to U.S. based Turner Sports, according to ESPN”s Ariel Helwani.

Asian-based ONE is the MMA organization that recently “traded” for former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson and signed both former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez and UFC welterweight prospect Sage Northcutt. 

Since we originally posted this story, clarifications have been made and there’s some clarity still needed as to the finer details.

The deal is for three years and begins on January 19th, 2019, with 24 shows per year to air live on B/R Live, Turner’s paid digital platform which made headlines this year for offering NBA fans the chance to buy single games or even part of a single game. It’s not known if they will do a season pass, pay per fight basis, or just pay per show.

Helwani wrote that taped events will air on TNT with “shoulder” programming and a reality show also in the plans. However, it’s unclear how many shows that will be, whether they just be ‘best of’ shows, or airtimes.

Financial details weren’t disclosed as the organization has yet to publicly comment as of this writing. It’s expected something will be formally announced in the next few days.

Turner Sports was interested in acquring the UFC broadcast rights earlier this year, but the company’s merger talks with AT&T prevented that from going further. 

So far in 2019, the industry has seen the UFC sign a five year, $1.5 billion deal with ESPN, WWE sign deals with NBCUniversal and Fox totaling $2.35 billion, and DAZN sign both Bellator and boxer Canelo Alvarez to big money deals. 

UFC, ONE agree to Demetrious Johnson-Ben Askren trade

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The UFC and ONE Fighting Championship’s history-making trade has officially been agreed to.

ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported today that the UFC has agreed to release Demetrious Johnson from his contract to allow him to sign with ONE Championship. ONE has also agreed to release Ben Askren in order for him to sign with the UFC.

Helwani noted that both fighters are expected to sign deals with their new promotions in the near future.

Johnson and Askren have both acknowledged the news on their Twitter accounts.

ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong wrote: “Please join me in welcoming the #1 pound-for-pound king, @MightyMouse, to ONE Championship! His extraordinary achievements speak for themselves, but I am most impressed by his character, his values, and his life story. #GOAT Thank you to @MightyMouse, @Benaskren, @ONEChampionship, @UFC, and @malkikawa for making the 1st trade in mixed martial arts history possible. #gratitude”

Johnson is 27-3 with one draw in his career, while Askren is 18-0 with one no contest and is a former welterweight champion for ONE and Bellator. After breaking the UFC record for most consecutive title defenses, Johnson lost the flyweight championship to Henry Cejudo at UFC 227 in August. 

Helwani reported that “a plan was hatched” for Johnson to leave the UFC after his loss to Cejudo, but the UFC needed incentive to release him. Johnson’s management team pitched the idea of the trade, and all of the involved parties ended up agreeing to it. Johnson’s coach Matt Hume is also ONE’s vice president of operations.

Report: UFC, ONE discussing Demetrious Johnson-Ben Askren trade

Posted on by Josh Nason

While free agency has grown in importance in mixed martial arts, the concept of a trade between organizations has never fully made sense because of competition and logistics. 

But in the current ‘anything is possible’ era of sports entertainment, a report Wednesday has the UFC and Asia’s ONE Fighting Championship discussing a historic trade that would send former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson to ONE for former Bellator champion and currently retired Ben Askren.

Citing multiple sources, ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported the news that was first discussed on MMA Junkie Radio. He said that a deal is on the table, but that nothing has been finalized. It’s unknown as of this time who proposed what and when.

Johnson (pictured) recently saw his historic run as champion ended at the hands of Henry Cejudo, and has been at odds with UFC president Dana White over the last two years on how he’s promoted and his relationship with the organization. He’s been in the UFC since 2011 following the WEC merger.

His head coach Matt Hume is VP of Operations for ONE, so, if a deal was done, that conflict of interest would need to be resolved.

Askren has also been at odds with White over the years, but has never competed in the UFC. After the undefeated welterweight split with Bellator near the end of the Bjorn Rebney era, he went to ONE in May 2014 and went unbeaten in six fights, retiring in November 2017. On social media, the possibility of Askren in UFC increased this year but he still is under contract with ONE.

ONE recently made waves with the signing of former UFC and Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez and while the promotion doesn’t have a firm presence in the U.S., moves like these would perhaps indicate something bigger on the horizon.