Wrestling Observer Radio returns with Dave Meltzer and myself, Jim Valley, as our guest co-host.
We review WWE Super Showdown including what victories by The Undertaker and Goldberg say about WWE creative and mean for both the future of Wrestlemania 36 and the company itself. Plus, we preview SmackDown on Fox with the return of John Cena and Goldberg’s first appearance as Universal Champion.
Dave gives his thoughts on why ratings were down this week for both AEW and NXT. From there, we look at AEW Revolution on Saturday including match previews and if a lack of ratings growth might have an effect on PPV buys.
In addition, we discuss the continued effect of the coronavirus on the wrestling business, Nakanishi’s retirement, Ring of Honor and New Japan working together again, an early look at the Wrestling Observer Year End Award voting, Will Ospreay, Portland Wrestling legend Rip Oliver in hospice, and much more.
Timestamps:
Start: Nakanishi
5:23: Coronavirus cancels NJPW shows
9:54: Goldberg is the Universal champion
13:00: Update on WWE Network PPV possibilities
18:25: Super Showdown
37:34: The main event and the message it sends
1:03:26: AEW ratings
1:09:10: NJPW teaming up with ROH for War of the Worlds again
1:12:26: Observer Year End Awards discussion
1:15:22: Rip Oliver
With WrestleMania 36 approaching, WWE has a new Universal Champion.
Goldberg won the Universal title by defeating “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt in the main event of Super ShowDown in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia today. He pinned Wyatt after giving him a Jackhammer.
Goldberg hit four spears on Wyatt during the match and fought out of the Mandible Claw twice. Wyatt got up as Goldberg was celebrating after, but the lights then went out and Wyatt was gone when they came back.
Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio overnight that Goldberg vs. Roman Reigns is planned for WrestleMania 36. Goldberg’s challenger for WrestleMania will be decided by an Elimination Chamber match at WWE’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 8.
Meltzer noted that John Cena is planned to be Wyatt’s new WrestleMania opponent. Cena will appear on tomorrow’s episode of SmackDown in Boston, Massachusetts.
After Goldberg’s title win, it was teased on commentary that he’ll also be appearing on SmackDown tomorrow.
Wyatt had been Universal Champion since defeating Seth Rollins at Crown Jewel in October 2019.
This is the second time Goldberg has held the Universal title. He was Universal Champion for less than a month in 2017, winning the title from Kevin Owens at Fastlane and losing it to Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 33.
John Morrison has won his first title since returning to WWE.
At Super ShowDown in Saudi Arabia today, The Miz & Morrison defeated The New Day (Kofi KIngston & Big E) to win the SmackDown Tag Team titles. After Morrison hit Kingston with a steel chair behind the referee’s back, the finish of the match was Miz pinning Kingston with a roll-up while holding onto his tights.
This is the first time Miz & Morrison have been Tag Team Champions since 2009.
WWE officially announced in December that Morrison had signed a multi-year deal to return to the company. He returned to WWE television at the beginning of January and teamed back up with Miz in his feud against The New Day.
Kingston & Big E had been SmackDown Tag Team Champions since winning the titles from The Revival in November 2019.
WWE will follow up on Miz & Morrison’s title win as tomorrow’s SmackDown takes place at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. John Cena will also return to WWE TV on the episode.
The Undertaker not only made an appearance at Super ShowDown today, he was briefly in action at the show.
The Tuwaiq Trophy gauntlet match at today’s event in Saudi Arabia had come down to AJ Styles and Rey Mysterio, but Mysterio’s music hit and he didn’t come out. There was then an angle where it was revealed that Mysterio had been attacked by Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson backstage.
Styles wanted to be declared the winner of the gauntlet match, and it was announced that Styles would win if his opponent didn’t come out by the end of the referee’s 10 count. The count began, but it was shown that Gallows and Anderson had now been laid out backstage. The camera showed the Undertaker’s jacket and boots as he walked by but didn’t fully reveal who it was.
Undertaker then made his entrance and entered the ring. Styles complained to the referee about Undertaker being in the match. Styles then turned around and tried to attack Undertaker, but Undertaker gave him a chokeslam. Before even taking his entrance gear off, Undertaker pinned Styles to win the gauntlet match.
After it was reported that Undertaker had traveled to Saudi Arabia for Super ShowDown, WWE confirmed that Undertaker was in the country and teased that he would be playing a part in today’s show.
Bobby Lashley, Andrade, Erick Rowan, and R-Truth were the other participants in the Tuwaiq Trophy gauntlet match.
Styles vs. Aleister Black is set for Monday’s post-Super ShowDown episode of Raw.
WWE returns to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this morning for this year’s Super ShowDown event.
Both world championships will be on the line. Goldberg challenges “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt for the Universal Championship, while Ricochet challenges Brock Lesnar for the WWE title.
For the first time in Saudi Arabia, one of WWE’s women’s titles will be defended as SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley faces Naomi. This follows the events from Crown Jewel 2019 where Natalya and Lacey Evans had the first-ever women’s match in the country.
In the show’s two other championship matches, Seth Rollins & Murphy will defend their Raw Tag Team titles against The Street Profits and The New Day will defend the SmackDown Tag Team titles against The Miz & John Morrison.
Plus, Roman Reigns and Baron Corbin’s rivalry continues inside of a steel cage, AJ Styles, Andrade, Bobby Lashley, Erick Rowan, R-Truth & Rey Mysterio face off in the Tuwaiq Trophy gauntlet match, Mansoor returns to Saudi Arabia for a match against Dolph Ziggler, Angel Garza takes on Humberto Carrillo, and The Viking Raiders face Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson.
Viking Raiders vs. Gallows & Anderson will be part of this morning’s pre-show. It begins at 11 a.m. Eastern time, with the main card starting an hour later.
**********
Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson defeated The War Raiders
Raiders started off hot, throwing around Anderson. Ivar stuck his beard in Anderson’s face. Anderson used a distraction to tag in Gallows, who took control of the match. Anderson is soo tagged back in as they get the heat on Erik.
Ivar eventually got the hot tag and ran wild on both, taking out Gallows with a clothesline. Ivar went for a bronco buster but Anderson escaped. Tag to Erik who drove Ivar into the corner, taking out Gallows. However, Gallows came back after a sitout chokeslam on Erik. Ivar tags in and takes out both men with a springboard.
Ivar took out Anderson on the apron as Ivar went for a moonsault, but Anderson dodged just in time. Anderson and Gallows connected with the Magic Killer and that was it. About as basic of a match as you can get, though the War Raiders still looked good.
The Undertaker won the Gauntlet Match for the prestigious Tuwaiq Trophy
R-Truth defeated Bobby Lashley
Truth tried to mount Lashley with punches in the corner, but Lashley threw him off and sent him to the floor. Lashley hit a vertical powerslam then put Truth in a sleeper. Truth countered with one of his own then followed with a shoulderblock. Lashley cut him off and went for the dominator but Truth hit a blue thunder bomb, channeling his childhood hero John Cena, and hit the five knuckle shuffle.
Truth went for the AA but Lashley escaped and hit a flatliner. Lashley went to charge Truth in the corner, but Truth ducked, sending Lashley into the post. Truth then cradled Lashley for the surprise win.
Lashlely wasn’t happy about that and destroyed Truth on the outside, sending him into the ring post. Lashley then took Truth into the ring and speared him. Truth ended up bleeding, may have cut his cheek.
R-Truth defeated Andrade
Andrade immediately attacked Truth, stomping all over him. Andrade went for a cover, but Truth kicked out. Andrade went for the hammerlock DDT but Truth kept fighting out of it. Andrade went for the running knee in the corner, but hit the top turnbuckle instead, falling to the floor.
Truth started a comeback, hitting a corkscrew crossbody. The two then collided at the same time with a headbutt, with R-Truth falling on top of Andrade for another surprise win.
R-Truth defeated Erik Rowan by disqualification
Truth sends Rowan to the floor and connected with a plancha. Rowan countered and sent Truth into the steps, knocking over whatever’s in the bag. Rowan was unhappy and repeatedly threw Truth’s head into the steps. Truth then threw the stairs at Truth, causing the disqualification.
AJ Styles defeated R-Truth
Of course, Rowan wasn’t happy about that. He threw Truth back in the ring and hit a claw slam before leaving.
AJ was very happy about Truth’s condition. He stomped on Truth and repeatedly mocked him, dancing in the ring. Styles locked in the calf crusher and that was it.
Rey Mysterio was due to come out, but AJ Styles was smiling. Mysterio was then shown backstage being laid out by the OC.
AJ took a mic and said it looks like little Rey isn’t going to get up from that one. He asked the referee to ring the bell. The referee wouldn’t do it. He then told the announcer to ring the bell. He wouldn’t. The announcer then said if AJ’s opponent didn’t make it to the ring at the count of ten, Styles would be declared the winner.
The referee started to count, but then it was shown backstage that both Anderson and Gallows were laid out. The Undertaker’s shoes appeared, showing it was him who laid them out.
The Undertaker made his way to the ring, so I guess he’s the last participant.
The Undertaker defeated AJ Styles
AJ complained to the referee, then went to attack Undertaker. The Undertaker responded with a chokeslam, and that was it. Not much to this.
The New Day backstage talked about their Tag Team title match against John Morrison and The Miz. Kofi promised they would show the world who the better team is.
John Morrison and The Miz defeated The New Day to win the SmackDown Tag Team titles
Big E starts off overpowering The Miz. Morrison tags in and drops Big E into the ring rope. Morrison followed with a corkscrew plancha to the floor.
Miz works on Big E in the ring, dropkicking him in the leg. He took Big E to the corner and tagged in Morrison, who connected with a springboard kick. Big E took a chance and threw a charging Morrioson to the floor and dropped Miz.
Kofi came in for the hot tag and ran wild on Morrison with a nice comeback. Morrison came back with a running knee. Morrison went for the moonlight drive but Kofi countered with the SOS for a nearfall. The New Day then laid out Morrison with a suplex/foot stomp combo.
Miz is tagged in, taking out Big E with a DDT and started with the Daniel Bryan kicks. Morrison tagged back in. After a double team, Morrison went for the starship pain but Big E moved out of the way. The New Day gained control and planted Morrison with the midnight hour but Miz broke it up.
Kofi went for a trust fall to the Miz on the outside but Miz dodged, sending Kofi crashing to the floor. That looked awful. Miz went back to the ring and laid out Big E with the skull crushing finale for a near fall. Big E dodged a Miz charge to the corner. Tag to Kofi who rolls up Miz for a nearfall.
On the outside, Morrison hit Kofi in the back with a steel chair to the chest of Kofi. Miz rolled up Kofi with the tights for the win and the championships.
Seth Rollins said that the moral vision of The Street Profits were a little off kilter. They will retain the Raw Tag Team championships tonight; it is a matter of destiny that the threat of the Street Profits will be eradicated along the way. Good match, but the crowd didn’t care much for it.
Angel Garza defeated Humberto Carrillo
Carrillo connects with some kicks early, then arm dragged Garza to the outside. He took out Garza with a hurricanrana on the floor, then hit a tope suicida, sending Garza on the barricade. Garza got the heat and ripped off his pants. Garza told the quiet crowd to shut up as he put Carrillo in holds.
Carrillo connected with a kick, then a springboard kick for a two count. On the top rope, Garza jumped to the floor then dropkicked Carrillo was he was coming off the top rope. Garza hit a superkick, but Carrillo connected with a right then a destroyer.
The two exchanged near falls until Garza simply sat down and pinned Carrillo. Both of them tried, but the match never really got going and the crowd was completely dead for it. The Raw match was a million times better.
Bayley interview. She said she’s making history tonight just like every other time in her career. She will prove she is the most dominant women’s champion that SmackDown has ever seen.
Seth Rollins and Buddy Murphy defeated The Street Profits to retain the Raw Tag Team titles
Profits started things off, taking down the champions with stereo dropkicks. Ford kicked Rollins on the apron, but Murphy shoved Ford into the announcer’s table, giving them control of the match.
Seth keeps the heat on Ford, hitting a falcon arrow for a nearfall. Buckle bomb/kick combo follows. Ford finally escaped and hot tagged in Dawkins. Well, the crowd made zero reaction to the tag, but you know what I mean.
Ford gets tagged back in and hit a frog splash for a two count. Dawkins threw Murphy into the announce table as the Street Profits went for a double team, but Rollins escaped. Murphy and Rollins went for a double pedigree, but the Profits counter with stereo DDTs. Ford went for a tope con hilo to the floor, but Rollins and Murphy grabbed him and threw him into the barricade.
Dawkins took out both men on the outside and threw Murphy back into the ring. Murphy distracted the referee long enough for Rollins to connect with a stomp on the apron, allowing Murphy to cover for the win. This was just a match. The nonexistent crowd heat is slowing this show down to a crawl.
Mansoor defeated Dolph Ziggler
Roode and Ziggler berated Mansoor prior to the bell. Mansoor dropkicked Roode. The referee then sent Roode packing as the match started.
Ziggler started things with a headlock. Mansoor countered with one of his own and hit a shoulder block and hit a standing moonsault. Ziggler connected with an elbow for the heat, dragging Mansoor’s face on the top rope and connecting with a jumping elbow.
Ziggler continued to dominate, posting Mansoor then driving him down with a suplex. Mansoor fired back with an elbow, dodged a famouser and connected with a kick on the apron and followed with a springboard neckbreaker.
Mansoor hit a slam and went to the top rope, but Ziggler crotched him. He motioned for the superkick, but Mansoor countered with an inside cradle. Mansoor continued to fight back, landing a cool looking inverted sliced bread into a DDT then followed with a moonsault for the win. Crowd popped big time for that win. They were into this match most than others, and it was perfectly fine for what it was.
Mansoor thanked the crowd, saying their voices carried him and gave him hope. When he stepped into the ring last year they proved Saudi Arabia was ready to have its first WWE superstar, and proved that they were here to stay. Mansoor spoke in Arabic to end the promo.
Brock Lesnar defeated Ricochet to retain the WWE title
Lesnar repeatedly drilled Ricochet with German suplexes. He then lifted him up, F5, that was it. It lasted maybe a minute, two tops.
That is what it was supposed to be, but can’t say Ricochet’s career trajectory in WWE at this point is all that great.
Roman Reigns defeated King Corbin in a steel cage match
Roman was tying up the steel cage with a chain he brought to the ring when Corbin jumped him from behind. He tried to escape the cage, but Roman grabbed him and gave him clotheslines in the corner. Corbin counters Roman with a uranage and covers him for a near fall.
Corbin finds the key to free the lock on the chain. He unlocks the door, but Roman catches him before he’s able to open the door. Corbin tried to crawl out, but Roman slammed his head on the door. Roman went for the Superman punch, but Corbin countered with a chokeslam.
Corbin grabs the chain nearby and wraps it around his fist. He mocked Reigns, but Roman countered with a Superman punch for a nearfall. Corbin finds and opening and tries to escape over the ring, but Reigns catches him as the two exchange punches on top of the cage. Corbin dragged him back into the cage and threw his head into the cage. Roman responded by crotching Corbin on the ropes.
Reigns then grabbed the chain and hits the Superman punch for the win. It was fine, the crowd was a little more alive here and they were into Reigns.
Bayley defeated Naomi to retain the SmackDown Women’s championship
Bayley controlled things early, but Naomi made a comeback, sending Bayley to the floor and landing outside with a big plancha. Bayley got the heat after attacking Naomi on the apron and threw her into the barricade.
Bayley had the heat for a while until Naomi made a comeback following a kick in the corner, then followed with a springboard kick. Naomi springboarded and hit maybe a clothesline or something? Don’t know what she was going for but it didn’t look good. Bayley hit the Bayley to Belly out of nowhere but only got a two count.
Naomi went for a full nelson but Bayley clipped her leg and hit a back suplex. Naomi went for a driver but Bayley escaped and hit a running knee to the corner. Naomi hit an enziguri as Bayley made it to the top rope but missed the springboard moonsault.
Bayley then used the shirt Naomi was wearing to trap her legs. Bayley then rammed Naomi’s head face first into the mat and pinned her to retain the title. This was okay, though sloppy in spots. And, again, the crowd was dead save for one or two attempts at a chant.
Goldberg defeated The Fiend Bray Wyatt to win the WWE Universal championship
This didn’t last long. Goldberg speared Wyatt right at the bell. He then hit three more, but Wyatt rose up and grabbed Goldberg with the mandible claw. Goldberg fought out with knees, hit the jackhammer and that was it.
The Fiend was back on his feet right after the match. The lights went off, then he disappeared.
Reports have begun swirling in advance of WWE Super ShowDown that The Undertaker has been spotted at a market in Saudi Arabia. Photographs circulating on social media seem to confirm the presence of the legendary Superstar at the site of WWE Super ShowDown. If true, why is he there?
His apparent presence obviously lends itself to more questions than answers. Undertaker’s in-ring appearances are an increasing rarity, and he is not yet advertised for a match at tomorrow’s show. And yet, it would make a certain sense for him to appear, as The Phenom already has plenty of history in the Kingdom and, perhaps, some unfinished business as well.
Not only did Undertaker compete at a pair of 2018 events in Saudi Arabia — defeating Rusev in a Casket Match and falling to the reunited DX alongside Kane — he memorably battled Goldberg at last year’s WWE Super ShowDown event. Goldberg, of course, is scheduled to face ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt for the Universal Championship tomorrow. Depending on how things shake out, we could be headed from one rivalry straight to the other. It could be equally likely that The Deadman won’t be competing and will instead simply add his presence to the festivities. Tomorrow will bring the answers. Until then, we wait.
Though the match has yet to be officially announced, The Undertaker vs. AJ Styles is planned for WrestleMania 36. Styles, Andrade, Bobby Lashley, Erick Rowan, R-Truth, and Rey Mysterio will be in the Tuwaiq Trophy gauntlet match at Super ShowDown.
Since WWE began its 10-year partnership with Saudi Arabia in 2018, last year’s Crown Jewel is the only Saudi event that The Undertaker hasn’t appeared at.
Mohammed Abdu Arena on the Boulevard in Riyadh is hosting Super ShowDown tomorrow. The pre-show will begin at 11 a.m. Eastern time, with the main card starting at noon.
Two of the newly announced matches will take place on the main card, while the other is set for the Super ShowDown pre-show. Mansoor vs. Dolph Ziggler and Angel Garza vs. Humberto Carrillo are set for the main card. The Viking Raiders will face Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson on the pre-show.
NXT’s Mansoor has been pushed as a hometown hero at WWE’s events in Saudi Arabia, winning the 50-man battle royal at last year’s Super ShowDown and defeating Cesaro at Crown Jewel in October.
Garza defeated Carrillo in their match on this week’s Raw. They’ll face off again in a tag team match next Monday, with Garza teaming with Andrade against Carrillo & Rey Mysterio.
At October’s Crown Jewel event, Gallows & Anderson last eliminated The Viking Raiders to win the World Cup tag team turmoil match.
The Super ShowDown pre-show will begin on the WWE Network at 11 a.m. Eastern time tomorrow, with the main card starting an hour later. The show is taking place at Mohammed Abdu Arena on the Boulevard in Riyadh.
Here’s the updated lineup:
Universal Champion “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt defending against Goldberg
WWE Champion Brock Lesnar defending against Ricochet
Roman Reigns vs. Baron Corbin in a steel cage match
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defending against Naomi
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) defending against The Miz & John Morrison
Raw Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Murphy defending against The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)
Tuwaiq Trophy gauntlet match (AJ Styles, Andrade, Rey Mysterio, Bobby Lashley, Erick Rowan, and R-Truth)
Mansoor vs. Dolph Ziggler
Angel Garza vs. Humberto Carrillo
The Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) vs. The O.C. (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson)
Styles will be part of the Tuwaiq Trophy gauntlet match at Super ShowDown. Andrade, Bobby Lashley, Erick Rowan, R-Truth, and Rey Mysterio are the other wrestlers set for the gauntlet match.
Undertaker defeated Goldberg in the main event of last year’s Super ShowDown. The only other time that Undertaker wrestled in 2019 was when he teamed with Roman Reigns against Shane McMahon & Drew McIntyre at Extreme Rules in July.
Last October’s Crown Jewel event is the only WWE show in Saudi Arabia that The Undertaker hasn’t appeared at since WWE began their 10-year partnership with the country.
Mohammed Abdu Arena on the Boulevard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is hosting Super ShowDown this Thursday. The show will begin at noon Eastern time.
WWE has changed up one of the participants for the Tuwaiq Trophy gauntlet match at Super ShowDown.
Rey Mysterio will now be in the six-man gauntlet match instead of Rusev. Mysterio, AJ Styles, Andrade, Bobby Lashley, Erick Rowan, and R-Truth are the wrestlers set for the match.
On today’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer confirmed that Rusev isn’t going on the trip to Saudi Arabia. Meltzer said the story for him not going is an injury.
Andrade is returning to the ring in the gauntlet match after the completion of his 30-day suspension for a wellness policy violation.
Mysterio & Humberto Carrillo vs. Andrade & Angel Garza has also been announced for next week’s episode of Raw.
Super ShowDown is taking place at Mohammed Abdu Arena on the Boulevard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this Thursday. It will air live on the WWE Network starting at noon Eastern time.
Here’s the updated card:
Universal Champion “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt defending against Goldberg
WWE Champion Brock Lesnar defending against Ricochet
Roman Reigns vs. Baron Corbin in a steel cage match
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defending against Naomi
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) defending against The Miz & John Morrison
Raw Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Murphy defending against The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)
Tuwaiq Trophy gauntlet match (AJ Styles, Andrade, Rey Mysterio, Bobby Lashley, Erick Rowan, and R-Truth)
Naomi will be getting a SmackDown Women’s championship match next week at Super ShowDown.
She pinned Carmella tonight on SmackDown following a split-legged moonsault. The number one contenders match was set up last week when Carmella wanted a rematch after losing a championship match to Bayley earlier in the program. Naomi later did an interview on that show saying she wanted a shot as well. The match was then made for this week.
Since returning to the SmackDown brand, Naomi has confronted champion Bayley on several occasions. She was involved in a match two weeks ago where the winner would face Bayley in a championship match on the February 14 edition of SmackDown, but it was won by Carmella, who pinned Naomi in a fatal four way match that also involved Alexa Bliss and Dana Brooke.
Previously, women were unable to compete at WWE’s Saudi Arabia events. However, that changed when Natalya and Lacey Evans had a match at Crown Jewel back in November.
Super ShowDown will take place next Thursday at the Mohammed Abdu Arena on the Boulevard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
A look at next year’s WrestleMania in Los Angeles is the lead story in the new issue of the Observer. We look at the back story, regarding why the city wanted it in 2021 and WWE wanted it in 2022 and how the compromise was made. We note deals of the new stadium, attendance, the legit all-time company attendance record, , notes from the press conference and a look back at the previous WrestleMania in Los Angeles.
Also covered in the new issue:
2019 WWE business rundown in every category, what was up, what was down, how much the new television deals added in this year’s fourth quarter, why there is uncertainty about stock analysts about the company, and TV deals late in renewing,. We look at how badly the value of the company has dropped of late, what analysts are saying right now and what they are has to be done to get the company value back up.
Roster expansion, why production costs are so much higher, the decline over the past year in both network and PPV revenue, the arena business, the NXT house show business, merchandise, licensing, as well as a look at the company’s revenue and profits annually dating back to 1994.
More on the firing of Michelle Wilson and George Barrios from WWE, return of John Cena, Three more new members of WWE Hall of Fame, Becky Lynch talks pay, what wrestler looks to be leaving, future of MVP in WWE, UK ratings, most-watched shows on WWE Network and details of the weekend main roster and NXT arena events with business notes, results and highlights.
New Japan’s next show in Madison Square Garden, who are the key players and more dates for this year’s G-1 tournament.
Full coverage of New Beginning in Osaka, with business and creative notes, notes on all the upcoming title matches around the world, the latest angles, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
XFL’s first week of television, the good, the bad, the TV deals and what it needs to stay at to be successful, plus live attendance and why the chances of survival are very different from the first time.
WWE Super Showdown, and Elimination Chamber shows.
Full coverage of UFC 247, with the background on the show, business notes, match-by-match coverage and poll results.
Regarding the Wednesday numbers, we’ve got full details, demos that each side won, how every segment did and what match ended up as the difference maker.
Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.
In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
In an interview with Arab News, Mansoor said that he will be competing at Super ShowDown next week, though he doesn’t know who his opponent is.
PWInsider reports that WWE has contacted Brodus Clay and Ariane Andrew (formerly known as Cameron) for WrestleMania weekend.
Sky Germany announced today that they will no longer air WWE pay-per-view events after April. They will instead air AEW events.
The Bump announced that they would be broadcasting live for five shows in Tampa during WrestleMania weekend.
Yahoo Sports has an article on WWE sending sports teams replica WWE titles for big events such as the Superbowl and the World Series.
The WWE PC YouTube page uploaded a profile on Bianca Belair.
Kyle O’Reilly congratulated Tiger Hattori on his retirement on Instagram. Hattori refereed his final two matches today at Korakuen Hall.
Deadline reported that USA’s new series Briarpatch is moving to the timeslot following Raw.
Other Wrestling
There is a pre-sale for the Dynamite event following Double or Nothing tomorrow at noon eastern on aewtix.com. The pre-sale code is FLEETLV.
Last night’s episode of black-ish on ABC referenced New Japan Pro Wrestling, specifically a Wrestle Kingdom match between Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi.
The AEW on TNT team will be launching a new podcast titled AEW Unrestricted. It will feature Aubrey Edwards and Tony Schiavone and will air each Thursday starting tomorrow.
AEW posted a video showing off the steel cage that will be used in tonight’s Cody/Wardlow match.
PROGRESS announced that they have moved their April 26 show to April 20 due to NXT UK TakeOver: Dublin taking place on the 26th.
MMA
Zhang Weili has obtained her US visa ahead of next month’s straweight title fight against Joanna Jedrzejczyk in Paradise, Nevada.
Pedro Munhoz isn’t happy the likes of Uriah Faber and Frankie Edgar have turned down fights against him.
Evan Dunham is coming out of retirement to face Michael Johnson at UFC Fight Night in Lincoln, Nebraska on April 25.
Cowboy Cerrone is already interested in fighting again as soon as March or April.
After tonight’s Raw went off the air, WWE.com announced that Raw Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Murphy will defend their titles against The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) at Super ShowDown. The show is taking place at Mohammed Abdu Arena on the Boulevard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Thursday, February 27.
Kevin Owens & The Viking Raiders faced Murphy & AOP in the main event of Raw tonight. The match ended in a disqualification when Rollins attacked Owens as he was pinning Murphy.
Rollins got on the microphone and said that he, Murphy, and AOP were going to crucify Owens, but The Street Profits then ran in to make the save. Rollins bailed, then Raw ended with The Street Profits, Owens, and The Viking Raiders laying out Murphy and AOP.
Rollins & Murphy won the Raw Tag Team titles from The Viking Raiders last month.
Super ShowDown will air live on the WWE Network starting at noon Eastern time on February 27. Here’s the updated card for the show:
Universal Champion “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt defending against Goldberg
WWE Champion Brock Lesnar defending against Ricochet
Roman Reigns vs. Baron Corbin in a steel cage match
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defending against Carmella or Naomi
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) defending against The Miz & John Morrison
Raw Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Murphy defending against The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)
Tuwaiq Trophy gauntlet match (AJ Styles, Andrade, Rusev, Bobby Lashley, R-Truth, and Erick Rowan)
Super ShowDown 2020 will include WWE’s first-ever Women’s Championship match in Saudi Arabia.
WWE has announced that SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley will defend her title at Super ShowDown on Thursday, February 27. Carmella and Naomi will face off on SmackDown next week to determine who will challenge Bayley in Saudi Arabia.
Bayley retained her title against Carmella in the opening match of tonight’s SmackDown. Carmella hit a superkick on Bayley during the match, but Bayley rolled out of the ring. The finish was Bayley pinning Carmella while using the ropes for leverage.
Bayley attacked Carmella after their match tonight. Naomi then came out and went face-to-face with Bayley. Carmella pushed Bayley, then Naomi hit an enzuigiri on Bayley and Carmella gave Bayley a superkick.
Carmella and Naomi both did interviews later on SmackDown saying they wanted a title shot against Bayley.
After women’s matches weren’t permitted for the first three shows in WWE’s 10-year deal with Saudi Arabia, the first women’s match in the country took place at Crown Jewel in October 2019. Natalya defeated Lacey Evans at the show.
Super ShowDown is taking place at Mohammed Abdu Arena on the Boulevard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and will air live on the WWE Network starting at noon Eastern time. Here’s the updated card for the event:
Universal Champion “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt defending against Goldberg
WWE Champion Brock Lesnar defending against Ricochet
Roman Reigns vs. Baron Corbin in a steel cage match
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defending against Carmella or Naomi
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) defending against The Miz & John Morrison
Tuwaiq Trophy gauntlet match (AJ Styles, Andrade, Rusev, Bobby Lashley, R-Truth, and Erick Rowan)
Goldberg will be making an appearance on next week’s SmackDown.
The appearance will come as Goldberg is set to face The Fiend Bray Wyatt for the Universal title at Super ShowDown on February 26 in Saudi Arabia. The match was made last week when Goldberg mentioned that he wanted a Universal title shot.
The Fiend appeared again on SmackDown this week during an interview segment with Hulk Hogan, who was talking about the upcoming match. Wyatt impersonated Hogan and the nWo and told Hogan there’s always room for him on the wall, which has people from The Fiend’s past that he’s attacked.
A sit-down interview with Lacey Evans was also announced for next week, with Renee Young conducting the interview. Carnella and Naomi will face one another, with the winner receiving a a SmackDown Women’s championship match against Bayley at Super ShowDown.
SmackDown next week will be at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
WWE is introducing a new trophy for this month’s Super ShowDown event in Saudi Arabia.
During tonight’s Raw, it was announced that a six-person gauntlet match will take place at Super ShowDown. The gauntlet match will feature AJ Styles, Andrade, Bobby Lashley, Rusev, R-Truth, and Erick Rowan.
The winner of the gauntlet match will receive the Tuwaiq Mountain Trophy.
Styles has been out of action since the Royal Rumble due to a shoulder injury. In an update that WWE issued earlier this month, it was said that Styles is “recovering way ahead of doctor’s projections.”
Andrade is currently serving a 30-day suspension for a wellness policy violation. His suspension was announced on January 28 and will expire just in time for Super ShowDown.
Super ShowDown is taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Thursday, February 27 and will air live on the WWE Network. Here’s the updated card for the show:
WWE Champion Brock Lesnar defending against Ricochet
Universal Champion “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt defending against Goldberg
Roman Reigns vs. Baron Corbin in a steel cage match
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) defending against The Miz & John Morrison)
