Tag: Saudi Arabia

WWE Crown Jewel live results: HHH & HBK vs. Undertaker & Kane

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Amid controversy, the second show in WWE’s 10-year deal with the Saudi General Sports Authority takes place at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh today.

Shawn Michaels will make his return to the ring as he teams with Triple H against The Undertaker & Kane. A new Universal Champion will also be crowned, with Braun Strowman facing Brock Lesnar for the vacant title.

With Daniel Bryan not wrestling in Saudi Arabia, AJ Styles will instead defend his WWE Championship against Samoa Joe. John Cena also pulled out of WWE’s World Cup tournament and was replaced by Bobby Lashley. Lashley vs. Seth Rollins and Kurt Angle vs. Dolph Ziggler are set for Raw’s side of the bracket, and Jeff Hardy vs. The Miz and Rey Mysterio vs. Randy Orton are SmackDown’s first round matches.

A stipulation for the World Cup was set up this week as Shane McMahon said he would fire the SmackDown wrestler who makes it to the finals if they lose to Raw.

SmackDown Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Sheamus defend their titles against The New Day. And on the pre-show, Rusev challenges for Shinsuke Nakamura’s United States title.

Hulk Hogan will also make his return to WWE as the host of Crown Jewel. The pre-show begins on the WWE Network at 11 a.m. Eastern time, with the main card starting at noon Eastern.

**********

Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Rusev to retain the WWE United States title

The crowd was still filing in as this match was going on, but they were hot for this match. Rusev fired back with some lariats after Nakamura had control for part of the match. Nakamura cuts him off and lands a running knee. Rusev connected with a machka kick and went for the accolade but Nakamura went to the apron and connected with a knee to the head. 

Nakamura went for the kinshasa but Rusev tripped him and applied the accolade. Nakamura went for the ropes, Rusev dragged him back in the middle but in the process Nakamura managed to headbutt Rusev right in the netheregions. That allowed Nakamura to recover and pin Rusev after the kinshasa. Not much of a match, but a clever finish at least.

Hulk Hogan came out to start the show, got a pyrotechnic show and everything. Said it was awesome to be back in the WWE and to be hosting Crown Jewel. And that was it, another pyrotechnic show followed. Judging by Hogan’s promo and the graphics showing they’re in “Riyadh”, WWE is going out of their way not to mention the words “Saudi Arabia” on their broadcast.

World Cup: Rey Mysterio defeated Randy Orton

Mysterio went for a springboard early but Orton cut him off with a big dropkick. He took Mysterio to the top rope and tried to rip off his mask. Mysterio followed with a senton and a springboard crossbody. 

Mysterio went for the 619 but Orton grabbed Mysterio and planted him with the draping DDT. He motioned for the RKO but Mysterio countered with a roll up and got the win. This was short and not much of anything.

Orton planted Mysterio with an RKO after the match. He motioned like he was going to leave, but instead slid him out of the ring and planted him face first on the Arabic announcer’s table, apparently landing on a monitor.

Miz was asked about potentially facing an injured Rey Mysterio. He said with the way this tournament is lining up, he feels awesome.

World Cup: The Miz defeated Jeff Hardy

Miz was asked about potentially facing an injured Rey Mysterio. He said with the way this tournament is lining up, he feels awesome.

Miz gained control early, grinding down Hardy. Miz hit a couple of dropkicks in the corner, but Hardy responded with a clothesline and made his comeback. Hary went for a twist of fate but Miz escaped.

Hardy hit whisper in the wind, but got cut off by Miz on the apron. Miz went for the figure four but Hardy cradled him for a near fall.Hardy sends Miz out of the ring, runs on the barricade and jumps off, hitting Miz with a clothesline. Hardy goes for a swanton bomb, but Miz rolls out of the way.

Miz posts Hardy and uses the ropes, but the referee sees it. Hardy goes for a twist of fate, but Miz countered with the skull crushing finale for the win. Kind of clunky overall and the finish was anti-climatic.

World Cup: Seth Rollins defeated Bobby Lashley

Lashley dominated the match early until Rollins escaped from a vertical suplex. Rollins hit two suicide dives to the floor. Lashley cut him off and went for a superplex. Rollins went for a sunset flip, but couldn’t get it. Lashley escaped from a powerbomb attempt, but then Rollins landed the stomp out of nowhere for the win. Another nothing match.

Kurt Angle backstage said most people doubt he can win. But people also doubted him when he won the Olympic gold medal with a broken friggin’ neck. He’ll prove tonight that he’s still the best in the world.

World Cup: Dolph Ziggler defeated Kurt Angle

They start off with some mat wrestling. Angle landed a belly to belly and a couple of German suplexes. They meet on the apron where Angle tried to German Ziggler to the floor, but Ziggler laid him out and threw him into the stairs.

Angle drives Ziggler into the turnbuckle and started a comeback until Ziggler laid him out with a DDT. Angle hit the Angle Slam for a near fall. He went for the Angle lock, but Ziggler escaped and hit a famouser.

Angle rolled through Ziggler and applied the Angle lock. Ziggler tried to escape, eventually doing do. He then posted Angle and planted him with the zig zag for the win. This was pretty decent. 

The Bar defeated The New Day to retain the SmackDown tag team titles

The New Day came out on what I guess would be a magic carpet, throwing out pancakes.

Things started off with some good back and forth until Cesaro managed to cut off Kofi Kingston. They worked on him forever until Kofi escaped and tagged in Big E, who made a big comeback. Big E planted Sheamus with a uranage and went for the spear to the floor but Sheamus cut him off. Big E tagged in Kofi, who hit a double foot stomp as Big E planted Sheamus with a powerbomb for a near fall.

Kofi took out Cesaro on the outside as Big Show on the apron. Big E avoided the brogue kick but was shoved into the referee. Big Show punched Big E, allowing Sheamus to connect with the brogue kick for the win. A total paint by numbers match.

The Miz was interviewed. Tonight isn’t about happy endings, it’s about beating Rey Mysterio and proving he’s the best in the world. His voice seemed off and mentioned that he injured his throat during the first match. Rey Mysterio said he’s been underestimated by bigger and better.

World Cup semi finals: The Miz defeated Rey Mysterio

Rey controlled early, sliding himself to the floor with a splash. Mysterio started to sell his ribs after the splash. Mysterio went to leap on Miz’s shoulders but Miz instead fell, causing Mysterio to land face first on the mat.

Miz started to work him over, but Mysterio fought back, only to be laid out. In a callback from earlier, Miz slid Rey out of the ring, landing on his ribs. 

Mysterio started to mount a comeback, landing a crossbody. Miz is sent into the second turnbuckle as Mysterio goes for the 619. Miz grabs him, smashes his head on the nearby top turnbuckle and lands the skull crushing finale…but Mysterio kicks out.

Miz pelts him with kicks, but Mysterio fights back, hitting the 619. Mysterio takes his time getting to the top rope, and when he goes for the frog splash Miz gets the knees up and cradles him for the win. This was okay overall, nothing special but the finish was pretty good.

World Cup semi finals: Dolph Ziggler defeated Seth Rollins

Dolph got the heat on Rollins after Rollins got distracted by McIntyre on the outside, working on his neck. Rollins came back and they exchanged a number of near falls before Rollins hit the ripchord knee for another near fall.

Rollins hit a suicide dive on the outside, taking out both Ziggler and McIntyre. Back in the ring, Ziggler hit the famouser. Rollins met Ziggler on the top rope and hit the superplex. Rollins tried for the Falcon Arrow, but Ziggler countered with the zig zag.

Rollins goes to the top rope, but McIntyre grabbed his leg. Ziggler connects with a superkick and picks up the win. So it’s heel Dolph vs. heel Miz in the finals. Match was pretty good.

Saxton interviewed Ziggler, saying it wasn’t fair how he got the win and it was an upset. Ziggler dismissed that and said the next time you see him, he’ll be holding his trophy because he’s the best in the world.

AJ Styles defeated Samoa Joe to retain the WWE title

Styles was in control early, taking him to the outside and posting him. Joe lifted him up, however, and drove him head first into the barricade, getting the heat. Joe blasted AJ with a suicide dive, sending ribs first into the announcer’s table.

AJ connects with a kick and hits the reverse DDT. He looks for the phenomenal forearm, but Joe escapes and hits a big powerslam and lariat. Styles goes for an O’Connor roll but Joe catches him in the coquina clutch. Styles grabs him and goes for the calf crusher but Joe quickly gets to the ropes. AJ connects with a pele kick then scores the phenomenal forearm for the win. This was good while it lasted, but they’ve had better matches.

Brock Lesnar defeated Braun Strowman to win the WWE Universal title

Baron Corbin, who came out with the Universal title, hit Strowman in the back with the title before the match started. Lesnar then destroyed Braun Strowman, hitting him with four F5’s, one to the floor. Strowman mounted a brief comeback, but Lesnar laid him out with a fifth for the win. No, it makes no sense to bury someone like this, nor does it make sense for Lesnar to win the title. But this is what they do. 

McIntyre was sent to the back before the World Cup finals started. They fought before the bell rang, with Miz sending Ziggler into the steps. Miz favored his knee heavily. They sold like this was about to be called a forfeit in favor of Ziggler because Miz couldn’t continue. Shane McMahon said no, he would take his place. So after hyping this tournament for weeks, Shane just inserts himself in, everyone seems fine with it and the match starts. Even the announcers couldn’t sell this as making a lick of sense. 

Shane McMahon defeated Dolph Ziggler to win the World Cup

Well, duh.

So Ziggler cut Shane and hit the zig zag. Shane fired back with a DDT and slingshotted Ziggler into the turnbuckle. Shane hit the coast to coast. And yes, in case you were wondering who the best in the world is, it is Shane McMahon, who wrestles maybe twice a year and just beat Dolph Ziggler clean in minutes. Raw announcers sold this like it was a heel move. Whatever. These last two matches couldn’t be more destructive towards people that need a boost the most.

Shane celebrated with the trophy as a huge pyrotechnic show followed. A McMahon winning this tournament, which was to crown the best in the world, feels like an allegory for something.

Triple H and Shawn Michaels defeated The Undertaker and Kane

Triple H and Kane start things off. Shawn was tagged in and looked fine. He hit a neckbreaker but Kane came up. After teasing a superkick, Undertaker was tagged in. All four got in the ring as HBK was put in the tree of woe position. Kane threw Triple H into Shawn as both DX members tumbled to the floor.

Back in the ring, Undertaker hit old school on Shawn. He avoided a boot in the corner and tagged in Triple H. Kane was tagged in and they exchanged chops. Shawn came in and took down Kane, then did the kip up. Double suplex spot by DX. Shawn connected with the elbow.

Shawn motions for the sweet chin music but Kane grabs him and lands the chokeslam instead. Undertaker comes back in and gets the heat, looking for his own chokeslam. He takes out Triple H, which allows Shawn to strike with the sweet chin music. Undertaker gets back to his feet and clears out the Arabic announcer’s table. 

Triple H grabs Shawn from his doom as he takes out Kane and Undertaker by throwing them into the steps and guardrail, respectively. Well, I think he threw himself and Undertaker into the barricade, but whatever. Kane grabs Hunter by the throat, however, and sends him through the announce table. Undertaker takes out Shawn with a legdrop on the apron.

Undertaker taunts Triple H as he takes Shawn and puts him back in the ring. They work him over some more. Undertaker went for a tombstone on the floor, but Shawn escaped and threw him into the post. Kane’s mask came off at some point as Shawn went to the top rope and hit a moonsault.

Triple H is tagged in as he makes a comeback. He may have hurt his arm at some point during this match. Undertaker reversed a pedigree with the back body drop. Triple H reversed a tombstone and hit a pedigree. Hunter dispatched Kane as Undertaker locked in the hell’s gate. Kane grabbed Shawn but he escaped and hit a superkick, landing on Undertaker and breaking that submission.

Brothers of Destruction go for stereo tombstones but both DX members escape. Shawn superkicks Undertaker, then superkicks Kane, who walks into a pedigree. Triple H pins Kane for the win. This was better than last month’s match. Shawn looked great but honestly this was still a very plodding, long match.

Pyrotechnics display to close out the show. To quote Jim Ross after that Jackie Gayda match, mercifully, Crown Jewel is over.

Daily Update: WWE in Saudi Arabia, Starrcade, Conor McGregor

Posted on by Bryan Rose

DAILY UPDATE

The Latest News

The Latest Audio

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Recapping WWE Evolution

An incredible amount of devotion from all involved resulted in WWE’s first all-women’s pay-per-view being a special night and a strong contender for the company’s best show of the year. Evolution wasn’t just an event that was worthy of its place in history — it elevated it. The wrestlers who competed in the ring, everyone involved with putting the PPV together, and the fans in attendance all worked in unison to make Evolution a show that exceeded all reasonable expectations.

WON NEWSLETTER: November 5, 2018 Observer Newsletter: Highs and lows with WWE Evolution and Crown Jewel

A look behind-the-scenes at the decisions regarding Crown Jewel as the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  

We look at the decision making process, how the last week went down, why the show almost didn’t happen, negative media reaction, why WWE can survive negativity more now than in the past, what happened with John Cena, Daniel Bryan and Hulk Hogan, different plans thrown out for Bryan vs. A.J. Styles and why they didn’t happen, decisions changed regarding promotion of Hogan’s return, Renee Young going, Glenn Jacobs situation, and how many ideas changed.  We also look at plans for Survivor Series and TLC shows.

We’ve also got full coverage of WWE Evolution  with notes on the business, notes on mainstream interest, match-by-match coverage with star ratings and  a well as poll results from the show.

Also go in-depth on WWE business. We look at where the declines took place that led to the stock falling, and what is and isn’t significant about them.  We look at the network numbers and compare the post-WrestleMania drop with last year.  We also look at projections by the company for the fourth quarter drop in network subscribers.  We also go in depth on the fallacy of how people view wrestling, as well as how Raw and Smackdown have held up compared to other USA Network programming as well as cable in general.

Examine the look at the house show business, including Vince McMahon’s comments on the decline, as well a breakdown on the merchandise business, NXT ticket sales and full 2018 attendance numbers for the main brands and for NXT.

A look at WrestleMania tickets, WWE content production, a Roman Reigns story, more on Reigns’ diagnosis, the WWE/Evolve relationship, changes to Evolve through usage of WWE talent, plans for the next Takeover show, injury updates. the plight of Sean O’Haire in WWE, Matt Hardy TV show, house show changes after angle changes, WWE performer dating NBA star, thoughts on the semifinals of the Mae Young Classic, as well as there most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.

 Details on all the WWE and NXT weekend live events, with results, highlights and business notes.

We look at Kevin Kay and his role in saving UFC and the rise of UFC, as well as in the pro wrestling genre.  We look at the history of Spike TV with pro wrestling, UFC, and Bellator.

A run down UFC’s show this past week and the delve into the business aspects of that show, coverage of AAA’s Heroes Inmoratles show, with match-by-match coverage and who is to watch going forward. We also have full coverage of all the WWE television shows from the past week.

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.

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]. 

Rates in the United States are $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to [email protected]. For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52. If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.)

If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can choose one free classic issue or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.

THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • The Saudi Arabia General Sports Authority on Twitter has short interviews with Dolph Ziggler, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley talking about Crown Jewel and meeting WWE fans in Saudi Arabia.
  • PWInsider noted that Lio Rush made the trip to Saudi Arabia with the WWE roster (with Bobby Lashley wrestling in the World Cup tournament) and that a contingent of WWE wrestlers are having dinner with representatives from Saudi Arabia tonight.
  • WWEShop has quietly put up Hulk Hogan merchandise.
  • This week’s Hidden Gems on the WWE Network feature two D-Generation X matches. One is a match pitting Triple H & Shawn Michaels against The Undertaker and Stone Cold Steve Austin from November 15, 1997 and another Triple H & Shawn Michaels tag match, this time against Legacy in a steel cage from September 4, 2009.
  • Total Divas last night drew 385,000 viewers on the E! Network, down from last week’s 390,000 viewers. It ranked #40 for the night.
  • WWE’s YouTube page uploaded a video with Kassius Ohno “welcoming” Matt Riddle and Keith Lee to NXT.
  • WWE posted a slideshow featuring behind the scenes photos from Evolution.
  • Ronda Rousey placed first in this year’s Pro Wrestling Illustrated Women’s 100 list. The rest of the top ten (in order) are Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Io Shirai, Asuka, Shayna Baszler, Carmella, Nia Jax, Mayu Iwatani (Stardom) and Kairi Sane.
  • Nia Jax spoke to Al Jazeera about breaking stereotypes and embracing her body as she started to train in the WWE.
  • Seth Rollins defending the Intercontinental Championship against Dean Ambrose in a street fight is now listed on the card for WWE’s Starrcade house show in Cincinnati, Ohio on November 24. Braun Strowman vs. Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre in a handicap match is also now currently advertised.
  • Luis Martinez (Punishment Martinez) tweeted that he’ll be making his NXT debut at tomorrow’s house show in Fort Pierce, Florida.
  • ATHLEAN-X posted a video on their YouTube page featuring Finn Balor and Curt Hawkins doing an ab workout.

Pro Wrestling

UFC/MMA

  • Conor McGregor has settled a lawsuit between him and a security guard that was injured during the UFC 202 press conference brawl. The security guard was allegedly hit in the back by one of Conor McGregor’s Monster Energy drinks during the brawl between McGregor and Nate Diaz.
  • MMAFighting obtained police body cam footage of Stephan Bonnar being arrested for a DUI. He was arrested back on 10/28 and is scheduled to appear in court on 11/26.
  • Daniel Cormier talked to FloCombat about what match he would like to take after the Derrick Lewis fight this Saturday. While he realizes that the Brock Lesnar fight is the bigger of the two fights, he wants Jones. “It’s crazy that people say me and Lesnar would be a mega fight when the reality is the mega fight is Jones and I,” he said. “We’re the two greatest fighters of all time and we fight each other. It’s so easy to say, ‘This guy’s one of the greatest and this guy’s one of the greatest,’ but they never fight each other. Jones and I may be the two best fighters in the history of the sport. That should be the mega fight. Unfortunately, it will not net me the money that I would make fighting Brock Lesnar.”
  • Dana White told TMZ Sports that Khabib Nurmagomedov’s next fight will likely be against Tony Ferguson, saying that Ferguson never lost the title. He also said it was 70% likely that they and Floyd Mayweather would sign together for a future fight in the UFC.
  • White will also be filming his Lookin’ For A Fight show at a Island Fights event on 12/21.
  • The third and fourth episodes of UFC 230 Embedded are now up.
  • Sijara Eubanks talked to MMAJunkie about her goal of becoming the UFC flyweight champion.
  • Ariel Helwani reports that a fight between Petr Yan and Douglas Silva de Andrade is scheduled for UFC 232.
  • Ariana Lipski’s fight against Maryna Moroz has been cancelled after Moroz was removed from the card and no replacement could be found.
  • David Zawada will replace Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in a match against Li Jingliang at UFC Beijing on 11/24.

Daily Professional Wrestling History: WWE Taboo Tuesday 2005

CONTACT INFORMATION

Renee Young to be part of WWE Crown Jewel announce team

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Renee Young will reportedly be heading to WWE Crown Jewel on Friday.

Pro Wrestling Sheet reported this afternoon that Renee Young will be allowed to go to Saudi Arabia this Friday for WWE’s Crown Jewel event. Dave Meltzer has also confirmed Young will be heading to the event. Pro Wrestling Sheet’s report says that this process started back in September when Young joined the Raw commentary team on a permanent basis. WWE has yet to announce the broadcast team for the event.

Women were not allowed to compete or be part of the broadcast team at the Greatest Royal Rumble back in April. There was controversy after the event where the Saudi General Sports Authority, which oversaw the event, apologized for having a commercial featuring a number of female WWE talent wearing their ring gear, which they considered ‘”indecent”.

WWE Crown Jewel will air this Friday on the WWE Network. It will air live at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh with the main card starting at noon ET.

Report: Daniel Bryan not traveling to Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Another report states that Daniel Bryan won’t be traveling to Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel.

PWInsider reported today that Bryan won’t be performing at Friday’s show in Riyadh. Barstool Sports’ Robbie Fox first reported that Bryan and John Cena were “refusing” to work Crown Jewel, and WWE confirmed last night that Bobby Lashley is replacing Cena in the World Cup tournament.

According to PWInsider, WWE was making production plans at one point for AJ Styles vs. Bryan to take place at the Performance Center and air on the Crown Jewel broadcast — but the idea was dropped in the middle of plans being made yesterday. They wrote that all signs point to Styles going to Saudi Arabia, though no final decision as to how WWE would handle the situation had been made as of last night.

Tonight’s SmackDown at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia is the go-home show for Crown Jewel. A segment where Styles will confront Bryan ahead of their advertised WWE Championship match at Crown Jewel is scheduled for tonights’ episode..

HBO’s ‘Last Week Tonight’ follows up on WWE-Saudi Arabia

Posted on by Joseph Currier

For the second straight week, HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” with John Oliver covered WWE’s relationship with Saudi Arabia.

While talking about Crown Jewel being held in Saudi Arabia this Friday, Oliver mentioned reports that John Cena won’t be wrestling on the show and played a clip of The Undertaker’s promo from SmackDown 1000. The crowd went from chanting for Undertaker to booing when he said “Crown Jewel.”

“I think the WWE itself just turned heel,” Oliver said. “Do you know how clearly deeply bad something has to be to get wrestling fans to boo a wrestling event at a wrestling event?”

Oliver said WWE was pushing ahead with Crown Jewel despite the serious concerns of some of their wrestlers and own fan base. A parody video of what Oliver said WWE’s marketing should be then aired, advertising that no women’s wrestlers would be there, that Cena would be on the show if he’s willing to take a major PR hit, and ended with “If you care about human rights, WWE’s got two words for you — suck it.”

Ronda Rousey defends WWE holding Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia

Posted on by Joseph Currier

In an interview with TMZ Sports, Ronda Rousey defended WWE’s decision to move forward with Crown Jewel taking place in Saudi Arabia.

In her defense of the decision, Rousey spoke about the positive impacts she thinks the event could have. She discussed being an Olympian and how she believes sports can bring people from different cultures together. She wasn’t asked about and didn’t mention the promotion WWE did for Saudi Arabia on the Greatest Royal Rumble broadcast or the specifics of WWE’s 10-year deal with the Saudi General Sports Authority.

“I’m a two-time Olympian, so I’m an idealist when it comes to sport. And one of my favorite memories from the 2004 Olympics was — I was in the gym and I was on the treadmill and I was cutting weight and I was running and right next to me was a boxer from Iraq and he was running next to me. And it was the beginning of the Iraq war, and nowhere else in the world would some man from Iraq and a little girl from Venice Beach be respecting each other and sharing space,” Rousey said.

“I think that sports is where we really find that common ground with each other, and I think that pulling out of the Crown Jewel would be the wrong move — because I think that this is an opportunity to be able to share our cultures and define what we have in common. And in times, especially when — times of adversity between two countries, that’s the absolute wrong time to be able to pull away. I think that’s the time for us to be able to find what we have in common and be able to understand each other more.”

Later in the interview, Rousey expressed optimism that, despite her and the rest of the women’s division not being able to wrestle at Crown Jewel, women will be able to wrestle in Saudi Arabia in the future.

“I think if we have WWE become big in Saudi Arabia, and WWE is the company that is having all-women’s pay-per-views — I mean, if you have the WWE Network, you can see Evolution and you can see Crown Jewel, you know. So if you’re going to buy the all-men’s pay-per-view, you’re going to have access to the all-women’s pay-per-view. And so it’s just exposing people to all the different things that our culture has to offer,” Rousey said.

“And I think that those are just the baby steps of how you get people to start demanding those kinds of things. They’ll be like — yeah, the women can’t compete in Saudi Arabia right now. But if the Crown Jewel is a huge success and WWE really takes off in Saudi Arabia, they are going to be demanding to see the women soon.”

While noting that they faced a “very difficult decision” after Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered at Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Turkey, WWE officially confirmed yesterday morning that Crown Jewel would go on as scheduled in Riyadh on November 2.

WWE hasn’t given an update on whether or not John Cena and Daniel Bryan will work Crown Jewel. Dave Meltzer wrote in yesterday’s Daily Update that Cena is still off the show as of now.

Rousey’s full interview with TMZ Sports is available to watch below:

October 29, 2018 Observer Newsletter: Roman Reigns diagnosed with leukemia

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Roman Reigns (Leati Joseph Anoa’i, 33), the man the WWE has been grooming for the past six years to be the face of the company, announced at the start of Raw on 10/22 that he is suffering from leukemia.

He noted that this was the second time he had contracted the disease, saying the first was 11 years ago, after his football career was over. That time line doesn’t fit perfectly since he played the 2008 season with the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League, prior to his July, 2010 signing with WWE.

The news seemed to come out of nowhere. Few knew that he had ever battled the disease, as either he, or Vince McMahon, if he even knew, decided not to allow that out. There were friends of his who had played college football with him at Georgia Tech who knew, but the number wasn’t large. 

Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

WWE confirms Crown Jewel still being held in Saudi Arabia

Posted on by Joseph Currier

While issuing their third quarter financial report this morning, WWE released a statement announcing that they plan to move forward with Crown Jewel taking place in Saudi Arabia as scheduled.

The company’s statement: “WWE has operated in the Middle East for nearly 20 years and has developed a sizable and dedicated fan base. Considering the heinous crime committed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, the Company faced a very difficult decision as it relates to its event scheduled for November 2 in Riyadh. Similar to other U.S.-based companies who plan to continue operations in Saudi Arabia, the Company has decided to uphold its contractual obligations to the General Sports Authority and stage the event. Full year 2018 guidance is predicated on the staging of the Riyadh event as scheduled.”

WWE has avoided mentioning Saudi Arabia on television over the past two weeks. Crown Jewel is set to take place at King Saud University Stadium, with Triple H & Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker & Kane, the eight-man World Cup tournament, Braun Strowman vs. Brock Lesnar for the vacant Universal Championship, AJ Styles defending the WWE Championship against Daniel Bryan, and The New Day getting their Tag Team title rematch against Cesaro & Sheamus announced.

UPDATE: On today’s earnings call, WWE didn’t elaborate further on their decision. Vince McMahon said they weren’t going to talk about it a lot and called it a “very sensitive subject.” He deferred to the statement that WWE issued.

Hulk Hogan ‘looking forward to going to Saudi Arabia with the WWE’

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Hulk Hogan said in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel this week that he is “looking forward” to working with WWE in the future.

“There are a lot of plans in the works,” Hogan said. “I’m looking forward to going to Saudi Arabia with the WWE, looking forward to WrestleMania — but yeah, we’re moving forward at a rapid pace. It’s exciting to have this opportunity again after all these years where I was there and gone.”

Hogan resurfaced in WWE back in July, holding a backstage meeting with the locker room at Extreme Rules where he talked about his situation. WWE announced at the time that he had been reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame after being removed and fired from the company in 2015 after using racist language in leaked audio.  WWE noted then that Hogan wasn’t under contract, and he has not been brought in for any appearances on television.

Daily Update: Saudi Arabia, Super Jr. Tag League, Nate Diaz

Posted on by Bryan Rose

DAILY UPDATE

The Latest News

The Latest Audio

We’re looking for reports on tonight’s Raw show in Bangor, ME and NXT show in St. Augustine, FL to [email protected].

NEW JAPAN BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS TOURNAMENT FROM HIROSHIMA ON NEW JAPAN WORLD (Up on tape delay today)

  • Tiger Mask & Jushin Liger vs. Bushi & Shingo Takagi
  • ACH & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Desperado

NEW JAPAN WORLD PRO WRESTLING ON AXS TV TONIGHT AT 8 P.M. EASTERN TIME

  • Hirooki Goto vs. Taichi for Never Open weight title
  • Tetsuya Naito vs. Minoru Suzuki

MLW FUSION ON BEIN SPORTS TONIGHT AT 8 P.M. EASTERN

Barrington Hughes & Kotto Brazil vs. Samu & Lance Anoa’i

  • El Hijo de L.A. Park vs. Sammy Guevara
  • Shane Strickland vs. Tom Lawlor

CMLL FROM ARENA MEXICO AT 9:30 P.M. EASTERN TONIGHT ON THE MARCO CLARA FACEBOOK PAGE

  • Pegasso & Stigma vs. Cancerbero & Coyote
  • Diamante Azul & Mistico & Valiente vs. Dark Magic & Felino & Negro Casas
  • Copa Halcon Suriano Cibernetico match: Angel de Oro, Black Panther, Blue Panther Jr., Niebla Roja, Stuka Jr., Dragon Rojo Jr., Espanto Jr., Luciferno, Misterioso Jr. and Templario
  • Blue Panther & Black Warrior & Euforia & Panterita del Ring vs. Cuatrero & Forastero & Mascara Ano 2000 & Sanson
  • Caristico & David Finlay & Penta 0M vs. Rush & Cavernario & El Terrible

PWG TONIGHT FROM THE GLOBE THEATER IN LOS ANGELES

  • Flamita vs. Rey Hours vs. Puma King
  • Brody King vs. Timothy Thatcher
  • Trevor Lee vs. Darby Allin
  • Rey Fenix vs. Bandido
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Hechicero
  • Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz vs. LAX for PWG tag titles
  • Walter vs. Jeff Cobb for PWG title

We’re looking for reports on Saturday’s WWE Super show in Hartford, CT (all the Smackdown crew, plus Daniel Bryan, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Ronda Rousey, Braun Strowman, Roman Reigns and Alexa Bliss) and the Raw show in Portland, ME (headlined by Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler), as well as the NXT show in Venice, FL to [email protected].

NEW JAPAN BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS FROM EHIME ON SATURDAY ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Chris Sabin & Kushida vs. Soberano Jr. & Volador Jr.
  • Sho & Yoh vs. Robbie Eagles & Taiji Ishimori

PFL MIDDLEWEIGHT AND WELTERWEIGHT PLAYOFFS SATURDAY ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK AT 9 P.M. EASTERN TIME

  • Middleweight bouts: Abusupiayn Magomedov vs. Gasan Umalatov, Bruno Santos vs. Sadibou Sy, John Howard vs. Shamil Gamzatov, Louis Taylor vs Rex Harris
  • Welterweight bouts: Ray Cooper III vs. Jake Shields, Rick Story vs. Handesson Ferreria, Magomed Magomedkerimov vs. Pavel Kusch, Abubakar Nurmagomedov vs. Bojan Velickovic

Sunday has a Super show in Boston with the entire Smackdown crew including Daniel Bryan, Randy Orton and Rey Mysterio, plus Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman, Ronda Rousey and Alexa Bliss.

Raw is Monday from Providence, RI. There is also a Smackdown house show Monday night in White Plains, NY.

NEW JAPAN BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS ON MONDAY FROM SHIMANE ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Volador Jr. & Soberano Jr. vs. Taiji Ishimori & Robbie Eagles
  • Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Sho & Yoh

Tuesday has Smackdown, 205 Live and Mixed Match Challenge 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
  • ACH & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Chris Sabin & Kushida

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Backlash to WWE Saudi Arabia relationship picks up

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. 

WON NEWSLETTER: October 22, 2018 Observer Newsletter: WWE Crown Jewel controversy, plus tons of news

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]. 

Rates in the United States are $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to [email protected]. For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52. If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.)

If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can choose one free classic issue or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

Pro Wrestling

  • Today’s Super Junior Tag League matches in Hiroshima had Tiger Mask & Jushin Thunder Liger (2-1) defeat Shingo Takagi & BUSHI (2-1) and ACH & Ryusuke Taguchi (1-2) defeat El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru (1-2).
  • Here is the poster for the Pro Wrestling All Stars Battle on February 19. It will feature a retirement ceremony for Abdullah the Butcher, who hasn’t wrestled since 2010. Stan Hansen will also be in attendance as a special guest.
  • ROH has begun announcing matches for next month’s Global Wars tour. Jay Lethal, KUSHIDA, Chris Sabin & Jonathan Gresham vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, SANADA & BUSHI) is set for Lewiston, Maine on November 7, The Young Bucks vs. KUSHIDA & Sabin vs. Lethal & Gresham vs. The Kingdom (Vinny Marseglia & TK O’Ryan) will be taking place in Lowell, Massachusetts on November 8, KUSHIDA vs. Gresham vs. Flip Gordon vs. BUSHI is set for Buffalo, New York on November 9, and Lethal will defend his ROH World Championship against Kenny King in Toronto on November 11.
  • Dalton Castle and CMLL’s Stuka Jr. and Guerrero Maya Jr. have been announced for ROH’s Survival of the Fittest tournament in Columbus, Ohio on November 4.
  • Pro Wrestling EVE has uploaded their entire WrestleQueendom show from May 5, featuring a match between Meiko Satomura and Kay Lee Ray.
  • PAC cuts a promo for the Dragon Gate Network.
  • David Starr vs. Tomohiro Ishii has been added to the 11/9 Rev Pro Uprising event in York Hall. The match was made after Starr issued a challenge to Ishii.
  • The Rock’s Jungle Cruise movie has been pushed back to July 24, 2020.
  • Anthony Carelli (Santino Marella) and his way welcomed the birth of their son Marko Jason Carelli.

UFC/MMA

  • Dana White on if he would want to rebook a Nate Diaz/Dustin Poirier bout: “I’m not interested in making a Diaz fight until Diaz is just absolutely dying to fight. When he’s ready to fight he’ll let us know.”
  • Speaking of Poirier, he mentioned on his Twitter account that he will not need surgery and will recover in three weeks.
  • Nate Diaz on Poirier: “This guy mysteriously pulls out [with] no injury and it’s crickets from from the whole roster? I’m going back out on tour till the game mans up .. Shoutout to @GamebredFighter hes down respect.”
  • White also mentioned in an interview with ESPN that if Georges St-Pierre wants to challenge Khabib Nurmagomedov, he’d have to go through a ranked contender first.
  • MSG Networks announced this morning that a three-part series called “Weidman’s World” will air on their network. It will feature his training prior to his 11/3 UFC 230 bout, which was originally supposed to be against Luke Rockhold.
  • Jorge Masvidal had some words for Leon Edwards, who he will face on the 12/29 UFC show.
  • Elizeu Capoeira will face Li Jingliang at UFC Beijing on 11/24.

Daily Professional Wrestling History: WWE No Mercy 2003

CONTACT INFORMATION

October 22, 2018 Observer Newsletter: WWE Crown Jewel controversy, plus tons of news

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

With the apparent link to the death of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey while at the Saudi Arabian consulate, the WWE has become under fire for doing the 11/2 Crown Jewel show in Riyadh.

While there was talk about backup plans and monitoring the situation, at press time the show is a go, and tickets were to be put on sale on 10/19 for the show at King Saud University Stadium. The move from King Fahd International Stadium to the smaller King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh for the Crown Jewel show had nothing to do with popularity or ticket sales (which hadn’t even started) but because the larger stadium was up for renovation.

It appears that WWE is taking the approach that they have a deal worth $450 million or so, over ten years, that they would breach by not doing the show, and that, as is almost always the case with Vince McMahon, what is going on in the real world doesn’t matter since McMahon only knows one world, which is the one he usually almost fully controls.

Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

Figure Four Weekly: Backlash to WWE Saudi Arabia relationship picks up

Posted on by F4W Staff

For the PDF click here.

For the Epub click here.

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. WWE could point to incremental changes that are being made and claim that they’re helping push things forward by having a presence there and being part of modernizing Saudi Arabia with the Vision 2030 project.

April’s Greatest Royal Rumble and the months leading up to WWE announcing their return to the country weren’t without controversy, but the apparent murder of a Saudi journalist has now thrust WWE’s relationship with Saudi Arabia into the mainstream.

Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

VIDEO: ‘Last Week Tonight’ covers WWE-Saudi Arabia relationship

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Ahead of Crown Jewel, WWE’s deal with Saudi Arabia continues to receive more mainstream attention.

An 18-minute segment on the suspected murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi aired on HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” with John Oliver on Sunday night. Oliver covered the United States’ relationship with Saudi Arabia and the relationship U.S. businesses have had with Saudi Arabia during the reign of Mohammad bin Salman.

Brief clips from April’s Greatest Royal Rumble were played, with Oliver saying that audiences from around the world were treated to “wall-to-wall propaganda.” Oliver later brought up WWE returning to Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel on November 2. He did John Cena’s “You can’t see me” taunt and said “which I guess in this context means you don’t see these human rights abuses right here.”

Dave Meltzer noted on last night’s Wrestling Observer Radio that he was told that Crown Jewel will go on as scheduled unless the State Department or Donald Trump tells the company they can’t go.

The full “Last Week Tonight” segment on Saudi Arabia is available to watch below (WWE is mentioned at 6:55 and 17:00):

UPDATE: WWE Crown Jewel still scheduled

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Update —

WWE has noted that Crown Jewel should be listed on their schedule.

**********

Original — 

The Crown Jewel event on November 2 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has been removed from the WWE website’s calendar of events.

At this point WWE has not made a statement related to the show, but it was known dating back a few days that backup ideas were being talked about in the event such a decision was forced.

The event page for Crown Jewel is still up on WWE.com, though references to Saudi Arabia have been removed.

There are a number of huge ramifications of the show not taking place, if that is even the case, as perhaps it was just removed until a final decision is made. They were likely to have tomorrow as a soft deadline as they would either be promoting the show hard on television Monday or having to go with whatever new plan was in place. The Daily Beast had mentioned an idea of doing a third show in Manchester, England on November 4, since they are already taping shows on November 5 and November 6, and the arena doesn’t have a date on the Sunday. It would give the United Kingdom its first worldwide-airing pay-per-view since 1992.

But there are many key questions, both regarding the show and future of the deal with Saudi Arabia.

Will Cooling and I had a detailed discussion on Friday’s Wrestling Observer Radio regarding issues that the company is facing from a business, public relations, and matches announced standpoint.

Kane still planning on wrestling at WWE Crown Jewel

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A spokesman for Glenn Jacobs (WWE’s Kane and the mayor of Knox County, Tennessee) has noted that Jacobs still plans to wrestle at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia.

In an article that was published earlier this afternoon, Jacobs’ spokesman Rob Link told the Knoxville News Sentinel that Jacobs’ plans to wrestle at the event have not changed. “Mayor Jacobs won’t speculate on Mr. [Jamal] Khashoggi’s disappearance,” Link said. “However, he and his family are in the mayor’s thoughts and prayers.”

WWE issued a statement on Thursday noting that they are “currently monitoring the situation” following Khashoggi’s disappearance and suspected murder. Khashoggi, a columnist for the Washington Post who has been a frequent critic of the Saudi government, disappeared after entering Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on October 2.

The Turkish government reportedly has audio and video evidence showing that a Saudi security team killed Khashoggi inside the consulate.

Saudi officials have denied the allegations that are being made against them and have said that Khashoggi left the consulate shortly after he arrived.

Kane & The Undertaker are scheduled to face Triple H & Shawn Michaels at Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 2. The Independent Journal Review ran an article today that quoted senators urging WWE to rethink the event, and Dave Meltzer reported that “there have been backup plans that are being talked about internally if the show doesn’t take place.”