ROH has announced that the Survival of the Fittest tournament will return on ROH TV this June. The tournament will feature a series of qualifying matches, with the winners of those bouts advancing to a multi-man elimination match to decide the tournament winner.
The winner of Survival of the Fittest will receive a future shot at the ROH World Championship, which is currently held by Rush.
“You asked for the Survival of the Fittest tournament to come back and the ROH Board of Directors listened. The tournament returns in June on ROH TV,” ROH’s Kevin Eck wrote.
“Originating in 2004 and last held in 2018, the tournament is composed of a series of qualifying matches, with the winners meeting in a multi-man elimination match to determine the overall winner. The lone survivor will be rewarded with a future shot at the ROH World Championship. Past winners of Survival of the Fittest include Bryan Danielson, Tyler Black, Jay Lethal and Adam Cole.
“Survival of the Fittest was the overwhelming winner of a poll on the ROH The Experience Facebook page that asked which of ROH’s annual events fans would most like to see return in 2021.”
ROH will also be holding a Women’s World Championship tournament this summer. Rok-C, Angelina Love, Miranda Alize, and Trish Adora are the first four entrants that have been announced for it.
Smackdown, 205 Live and Mixed Match Challenge are from Newark, NJ with MMC bout of Bobby Roode & Natalya vs. Finn Balor & Bayley and Jimmy Uso & Naomi vs. Miz & Asuka plus 205 Live bouts with Mike Kanellis vs. Lince Dorado and Hideo Itami vs. Mustafa Ali in a falls count anywhere match.
NEW JAPAN BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS ON TUESDAY FROM TOTTORI ON NEW JAPAN WORLD
Robbie Eagles & Taiji Ishimori vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Desperado
WWE’s deal with Saudi Arabia has always been a bet that the overwhelming financial rewards would outweigh the inevitable public relations damage that it brings. With it so overtly going against the women’s evolution messaging that the company is promoting, WWE entered into the 10-year agreement with the knowledge that there would be backlash. But that was a controversy that would mostly exist inside the wrestling bubble.
A detailed look at how the problems with Saudi Arabia affect WWE’s 11/2 show is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Read about the crowd reactions, John Layfield’s television appearance, the different stages of reaction, the profit margin of the shows this year and next, and reaction of some senators.
Look at the issues with UFC and Khabib Nurmagomedov coming after UFC pulled Nurmagomedov’s teammate off the company’s next show, as well as where Nurmagomedov stands in popularity, and what is next for him.
Find out about the NXT U.K. television deal and how it went down, Kevin Owens injury update, ticket sales for Evolution, next PPV cards from WWE as well as major house show cards, and what FOX is looking for out of the wrestling product.
Also look at the WrestleMania main event, what happen at Smackdown, WWE signs 7-foot-3 basketball player, WWE cuts three wrestlers, this week’s schedule as well as a look at the most-watched shows on the WWE Network.
Find out about Eddie Alvarez signing with ONE and their financial information.
Look at the game changing team DAZN signed with Canelo Alvarez and how this changes the economics and culture of fight sports.
This issue has a huge feature on the life and times of Don Leo Jonathan, his legacy, his biggest matches, his title history around the world, his world titles, shoots, comparisons to modern wrestles, praise from other wrestlers and more.
Read full coverage of both the good and the bad of Bound for Glory, with business and other thoughts on the show, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results. Also look at surprises for the show that fell through.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer, or by using PayPal directing funds to [email protected].
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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
WWE uploaded backstage footage of Roman Reigns meeting and embracing with a number of wrestlers and personalities after making the announcement that his leukemia had returned.
Daniel Bryan tweeted about how the locker room at last night’s house show in White Plains, New York reacted to Reigns’ announcement: “I’ve never seen the air sucked out of a locker room like it was tonight. Our thoughts and prayers are with Roman and his family. #ThankYouRoman”
Braun Strowman wrote about his friendship with Reigns: “I’ve been in many wars with this man. He’s been my biggest rival on tv!!!! But behind the scenes he’s one of my closest friends!!!! He’s is one of the toughest men I’ve ever met and I have no doubt he’ll kick leukemia’s ass and and be back to battling with me soon and I can’t wait. You and your family are in my prayers. Love you Big UCE!!!!! #FUCancer”
Both New Japan and Ring of Honor have sent well wishes to Roman Reigns. Kenny Omega wrote: “Cheering for you from the opposite side of the globe. Nothing but respect for Roman.”
Zelina Vega has been added to the battle royal that’s taking place at Sunday’s Evolution PPV. The winner of the match will receive a future title shot.
Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard dressed up as Stone Cold Steve Austin and wore an Austin mask before last night’s game against the Washington Wizards.
Christopher Daniels vs. Juice Robinson has been added to ROH’s Global Wars show in Lewiston, Maine on November 7. The Young Bucks vs. Bully Ray & Silas Young is also set for Lewiston. Tetsuya Naito will face Hangman Page in Lowell, Massachusetts on November 8, and Jay Lethal vs. Chris Sabin in a proving ground match (if Sabin wins, he gets a future shot at Lethal’s ROH World title) is set for November 9 in Buffalo, New York.
Conor McGregor went into detail about his match with Khabib Nurmagomedov on Instagram and talked about what he felt went wrong. He went on to say that if there wasn’t an immediate rematch with Khabib, he’d face the next person in line.
Sijara Eubanks spoke to Luke Thomas about not being happy about losing her title shot at UFC 230.
Sean O’Malley said on Twitter that while taking time off due to the USADA violation, he will be getting surgery on Thursday on his right hip.
Al Iaquinta wasn’t impressed with the way Conor McGregor submitted at UFC 229.
Gegard Mousasi said in an interview with MMA Fighting that he is contemplating retirement after his Bellator contract expires. “If I have wins like [at Bellator 206] and I don’t take damage and I’m just winning without any damage without any injury, of course I could go another three fights,” he said. “But to be honest I’m looking to see how the next three fights will go and then to be honest, I’ll quit, yeah.”
Alexandre Pantoja will face Ulka Sasaki at UFC Buenos Aires on November 17.Ariane Lipski vs. Maryna Moroz in a flyweight bout has also been added.
