The Undisputed Era are officially set to face off with Pat McAfee, Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch in WarGames.
After tonight’s episode of NXT went off the air, WWE uploaded a video with NXT general manager William Regal announcing that Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong & Bobby Fish) will face McAfee, Dunne, Lorcan & Burch in a WarGames match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames next month. The event is taking place on Sunday, December 6.
Tonight’s NXT ended with Undisputed Era making their return and brawling with McAfee, Dunne, Lorcan, and Burch. All four members of Undisputed Era had been attacked by McAfee and his associates in recent weeks.
In the main event segment of tonight’s NXT episode, NXT Champion Finn Balor made his return for the first time since undergoing surgery for a broken jaw last month. McAfee, Dunne, Lorcan, and Burch interrupted Balor and surrounded him. Balor said it’s easy for the mice to play while the cat’s away, but the cat is back and look what he’s just dragged in. The lights then went out and Undisputed Era appeared. They brawled with McAfee, Dunne, Lorcan, and Burch as the show went off the air.
WarGames will be McAfee’s second-ever professional wrestling match. The former All-Pro NFL punter made his in-ring debut in a loss to Cole at NXT TakeOver XXX this August.
Undisputed Era have been part of every men’s WarGames match that has taken place in NXT. TakeOver: WarGames has been held annually since 2017.
This is the second WarGames match that’s been announced for next month’s TakeOver event. Shotzi Blackheart and Candice LeRae will be the captains of the two teams in this year’s women’s WarGames match.
WWE has revealed the date and theme of NXT’s next TakeOver special.
It was announced tonight that NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020 will take place on Sunday, December 6. This will be the fourth straight year that NXT has held a TakeOver: WarGames event. Prior to this year, the show had been held over Survivor Series weekend in November.
The announcement of the show was made in a promo featuring Shotzi Blackheart. Blackheart told Candice LeRae to get an army because they’re going to go to war. WWE has announced that it will be Team Shotzi vs. Team Candice in this year’s women’s WarGames match. LeRae also took part in the first-ever women’s WarGames match last year. She was on the winning side as Team Ripley defeated Team Baszler.
On NXT two weeks ago, LeRae destroyed Blackheart’s tank. LeRae & Indi Hartwell teamed together on NXT tonight to defeat Kayden Carter & Kacy Catanzaro. LeRae & Hartwell then helped Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez attack Ember Moon & Toni Storm later in the show.
While not confirmed, WWE has also been building up Undisputed Era vs. Pat McAfee, Oney Lorcan, Danny Burch & Pete Dunne ahead of TakeOver: WarGames.
We’ve got a double issue this week of the Observer with the full rundown of Harold Meij being out in New Japan, WWE’s social media policy as it relates to talent, and extensive G-1 coverage.
Our lead story looks at the Harold Meij era of New Japan, how he got there, the turmoil behind-the-scenes, why he’s leaving, his last words to his fan club, why the guy who handled running a wrestling company during a pandemic is out while in the pandemic and a lot of behind-the-scenes stories regarding New Japan and AEW never making a deal, and whether this can change things, and what the key issues are. The changes he made to the company, the business record and issues in dealing with talent and others and the inherent issues of a non-Japanese person in charge of a major Japanese company. This is the most inside version of what happened there since 2018 and from people who know the situation the best.
Also in this issue:
WWE’s latest when it comes to talent and social media, WWE policy, Andrew Yang and why this could be the worst time to make these decisions.
WWE Clash of Champions, NXT Takeover, Hell in a Cell, the COVID issues in AEW & WWE and how they spread, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
G1 Climax tournament, with standings, best matches, behind-the-scenes,why crowds aren’t quick to sell out, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results of every show.
XFL start, changes in WWE tapings and why 205 Live will be taped with NXT ad not Smackdown, we look at declines in WWE interest and reasons why WWE draft dates, Reigns vs. Rock, Reigns talks C.M. Punk, new Dwayne Johnson TV show looked at, new WWE signings, update on WWE injuries, one of the top college wrestlers already publicly talking about going to WWE, more on TV ratings in U.S. and Canada, former TNA champion talks how close he came to joining WWE, Cena starring in new movie, Zayn talks politics, Rusev talks problems with WWE creative, update on Raw Underground, where tribal chief comes from, WWE market value and the most watched shows on WWE Network over the past week.
UFC 253, with business notes, the main themes of the show plus match-by-match coverage and poll results.
The treatment of women in pro wrestling with notes from a recent BBC article with thoughts from several women involved.
87th anniversary show of CMLL, and the plight of Lucha Libre with no fans.
Jerry Lawler 50th anniversary show.
2020 Hall of Fame ballot in each category, with the top candidate, last year’s highest that haven’t gotten in, as well as a list of those who have been elected in the past five years.
Smackdown and AEW ratings based on the same opposition, as well as network vs. cable when it comes to other sports.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight for Wrestling Observer Radio talking Takeover, UFC, Impact and all kinds of other stuff. You can send questions to the show to [email protected]. Garrett Gonzalez and I did a show yesterday with Mike Tenay talking news and the Hall of Fame. This is probably the best received show we’ve done in a long time and as good a wrestling history show as you’ll hear anywhere. We will also have a second show that will be up this coming Friday.
Thanks to everyone who has ordered my new 1997 Wrestling Observer Yearbook. The success in week one has been such that I’d think it’s a lock there will be a second one released. Right now the book is No. 1 among wrestling books on Amazon as well as No. 1 for kindle on Amazon. You can get the physical book at amazon in the U.S.or the kindle version or physical book in the U.K. at www.WrestlingObserverBook.com
Notes on tonight’s NXT Takeover and odds are from www.BetOnline.ag The show will be from the Performance Center, now called the Capitol Wrestling Center. There will be 100 fans at the show. It will also be the first time an NXT show is on PPV, priced at $54.99, so they are pricing their show more expensively than AEW, ROH or Impact do, but less than UFC does..
We have polls up today for NXT Takeover, thumbs up, down or middle, best and worst match to [email protected] as well as for Thursday’s G-1 show in Niigata and tomorrow’s G-1 show.
Finn Balor vs. Kyle O’Reilly for the NXT title. This would not surprise me to be among the best WWE matches of the year given the talent involved and the nature of the show. Balor is listed as a -700 favorite.
Io Shirai vs. Candice LeRae for the women’s title. They are coming off a great match at a prior Takeover before Shirai was champion. Shirai is the -170 favorite to retain.
Damien Priest vs. Johnny Gargano for the North America title. This also looks like a great match on paper with Priest as a -160 favorite.
Santos Escobar defends the cruiserweight title against Isaiah Scott. Also looks good on paper with Escobar a -180 favorite.
Velveteen Dream vs. Kushida – Dream is listed as a -150 favorite.
This is a very strong show on paper. Not sure what the interest level will be for NXT on a standalone Sunday against the NFL, but that was the call they made.
Mikey Whipwreck noted that Tracy Smothers, who has been battling cancer for some time, is now hospitalized with heart related issues. Best of luck to Smothers. He was one of the real underrated wrestlers of the 90s.
Kento Miyahara vs. Zeus in the finals of the All Japan Champion Carnival tournament takes place tomorrow morning from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
Kaito Kiyomiya beat Go Shiozaki earlier today to advance to the finals of Pro Wrestling NOAH’s N-1 tournament which takes place on 10/11 in Osaka. He will face Katsuhiko Nakajima, who beat Naomichi Marufuji to win the B block. The winner of the Carnival will then face Go Shiozaki for the Triple Crown title.
WWE
With the Kansas City Chiefs vs. New England Patriots game airing tomorrow night on CBS along with ESPN’s Atlanta Falcon vs. Green Bay Packers game head-to-head, tomorrow will actually be even tougher competition for Raw than last week. There is also a New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays baseball playoff game. There is no post-PPV bump. to rely on this week nor will anything short of Steve Austin, Undertaker, Brock Lesnar or Ronda Rousey be an effective hot shot after playing the big nostalgia card last week.
WWE pulled Big Show from the Cauliflower Alley Club’s virtual convention on FITE TV to raise money for wrestlers in need to sell the injuries from Monday. Which is notable with Shawn Michaels on Wednesday of this past week not selling them nor pulled. Mark Henry replaced him.
UFC
Alejandro Perez tested positive for COVID ad he’s out of his fight wth Thomas Almeida that was scheduled for 10/10. The UFC is looking for a new opponent for Almeida.
Muslim Salikhov has pulled out of his 10/17 fight with Claudio Silva. No reason was given. James Krause will now face Silva on that show.
MISCELLANEOUS
G-1 tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. on New Japan World from Takamatsu
Gabriel Kidd vs. Yuya Uemura
Shingo Takagi vs. Yujiro Takahashi
Jay White vs. Jeff Cobb
Kazuchika Okada vs. Minoru Suzuki
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Taichi
Will Ospreay vs. Kota Ibushi
A really great look at modern candidates, the WON Hall of Fame, and how people don’t get credit for their work in smaller promotions It also makes a case for where modern people should rank.
This was not a big week for mainstream interest in combat sports given everything with the president, NBA playoffs, football in general and such. The only thing all week that trended was Holly Holm yesterday off the UFC show with 200,000 for the No. 4 position on the day.
Stardom ran its big PPV show in Japan yesterday in Yokohama: AZM b Starlight Kid to keep the High Speed title, Mira Shirakawa b Hanan, Riho & Saya Iida b Sumire Natsu & Yuma Manase, Natsupoi (Natsumi Maki b Death Yama-San, Bea Priestley b Momo Watanabe to win the vacant SWA title, Saki Kashima & Natsuko Tora b Jungle Kyona & Konami meaning the Tokyo Cyber Squad must disband, Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani b Maika & Himeka to keep the Goddesses of Stardom tag titles, Giulia b Tam Nakano to keep the Wonder of Stardom title, Mayu Iwatani b Syuri to keep the World of Stardom title (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
CWE from Friday night in Winnipeg: Shaun Martens b Cliff Corleone to keep the Grand championship, EZ Ryder b Mercury in a Tequila Sunrise match (both had to get wasted on tequila before the match started, which sounds perfectly responsible), Sammy Peppers b Scott Ripley, Bobby Schink b Chad Daniels, Roy Cheeks b Bryce Bentley, Mentallo b Danny Duggan, Johnny Malibu b Adam Knight, Mike Mission & Tyler James & Kevy Chevy b Dick Blood & Jude Dawkins & Adren Burton in a fan bring the weapons match, AJ Sanchez & Kevin O’Doyle b Bobby Collins & Rob Stardom in a no DQ match to win the CWE tag team titles. Next show is 10/17 in Glastone, Manitoba. CWE champion Vincent and jr. champion Jimmy Jacobs have both been stripped of their titles since they can’t get into the country due to COVID. They will get title shots to win them back when the situation changes. The CWE title will be decided in an eight-man tournament on 11/6 in Winnipeg. An announcement will be made in the future regarding how the jr. title vacancy will be filled.
The UWN’s PPV show on Tuesday night has D’Angelo Dinero & Watts vs. Zicky Dice and a mystery partner, Bryan Idol vs Levi Shapiro and Caster Show vs. Chris Dickinson.’
Grant Zwarych is selling his collection of Stampede Wrestling programs from the 80s that include stuff with Owen Hart, Jushin Liger (as Keiichi Yamada), Bret Hart, Chris Benoit, Hiroshi Hase, Dynamite Kid, Davey Boy Smith, Bran Pillman, The Stomper, Toshiaki Kawada, Shinya Hashimoto and many others at [email protected]
Paul “HHH” Levesque spent some time with the wrestling media Wednesday afternoon talking about this Sunday’s NXT TakeOver show and fielding some questions about the company.
Some of the highlights:
Our Dave Meltzer asked about exploring a move to Tuesday nights to which Levesque said discussions are always being had, but it’s a decision that involves not only WWE but their partners. Without saying AEW, he did add that he thinks it’s funny no one asks them why they aren’t moving when NXT was first on Wednesdays.
He thinks that NXT Champion Finn Balor vs. Kyle O’Reilly will change some perceptions and could be a game changer for a lot of things. He said that O’Reilly’s elevated role was planned but circumstances helped pushed the timeline up a bit.
He confirmed that Tegan Nox had surgery for a torn ACL.
He said the show will have “a different, unique look and feel and that fans will figure out what means on Sunday.”
He expects the card lineup to remain intact but that “everything is touch and go these days.” To that end, he says the Performance Center is back and functional. When asked about whether there are any punishments for those aren’t following protocols, he didn’t address it directly but said they have discussions and reality checks like anyone else. However. it’s difficult because they are dealing with people’s personal lives.
He was asked about NXT’s role in the upcoming draft and said he had no idea and will find out like everyone else does that night.
He also discussed Wade Barrett’s return, the (someday) return of fans in attendance, NXT UK, and more.
A big week of changes in the industry is looked at in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, including the first look at what AEW television fans would do regarding NXT if there was no AEW and which fan base is more likely to watch and which fan base passed on the show.
Our lead story looks at Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic and UFC 252. We look at the key moments of the fight, the scoring, Jon Jones, the greatest heavyweight of all-time, PPV numbers, television ratings, Sean O’Malley, match-by-match coverage with poll results and more.
Also in this issue:
The history of Phillip Thomas and his attempt to kidnap Daria Berenato (Sonya Deville), his obsession, and full details as to what happened in a scary story.
Multiple shows benig canceled due to COVID, as well as updating the situation in Japan and Mexico and how each country has handled it differently.
WWE moving into the Amway Center, renaming it the Thunderdome for all television, how the idea happened and comments regarding the new location.
The reality of numbers, as well as a look at this week’s major WWE shows.
Renee Young leaving WWE, how she first got into wrestling, her past and hat looks to be her future.
AEW selling tickets for its television tapings, the current schedule, live vs. tape on ratings and what shows Tony Khan studied for ideas on hwo to open.
Next round of New Japan major shows including the King of Pro Wrestling champinoship tournament.
WWE talks, Goldberg and Mysterio contracts, a discussion of the Patrick Clark situation, why NXT isn’t at the Amway Center, why WWE removed a number of documentaries off the WWE Network, update on WWE creative, international TV ratings, WWE star places in fitness competition, how a new law could affect classificiation ofWWE employees and what it means, WWE star looking to at doing a new TV show, most-watched shows on the WWE Network and market value of the WWE right now.
A feature on the life of John “Xavier” Bedoya, the second ROH champion, including the early days of ROH, his comebacks wth the group, post ROH career and his attempts to get into MMA.
CMLL’s opening in September and plans for its anniversary show including what seven championshps wil be on the line.
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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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
We will have a number of new shows up over the next few days. I’ll have shows the next four nights, with a show with Garrett Gonzalez tonight and likely another guest, plus Saturday’s show on Takeover, UFC and AEW, Sunday’s show on SummerSlam and Monday’s show covering Raw.
AEW sold out its small allotment of tickets for Thursday’s show at Daily’s Place in four minutes There was an issue with scalpers and Tony Khan quickly released a statement:
We’re very grateful for the fast sellout of Thursday’s outdoor AEW.
Dynamite live show at 10% venue capacity that we recently announced. The show will be open to a limited number of fans wearing mandatory protective masks who will be seated in a specially designed, physically distanced arrangement in the open air Daily’s Place amphitheater and will air live on TNT on Thursday, August 27 at 8pm ET/7pm CT.
The tickets were sold in groups, or pods, with the intention of keeping fans with their friends and families and safely distanced from other fans
in attendance. We’re seeing some of these tickets being sold on the secondary market in a way that splits original pod, and therefore potentially combining two or more groups of unacquainted fans within the same pod.
This was clearly not our intention. Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of the entire AEW family, and that certainly includes our fans. It’s an illegal, unethical and inappropriate move by secondary market sellers, and we intend to police this situation onlineas well as at the venue.
To that end, we’re asking our fans to inform us if they’ve feel they’ve purchased tickets that were originally part of a larger pod and we will do what we can to offer a remedy. Furthermore, we will be watching for any AEW Dynamite tickets on the secondary market, and if we see anyone trying to divide a pod for resale, we will cancel the entire original order.
It’s going to be great to have fans back at our show with social distancing precautions in place that will make these outdoor events safe for everyone in attendance. Thank you to all of the great wrestling fans who support AEW!
A look at this weekend’s events:
NXT Takeover on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m.:
Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch vs. Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza vs. Tyler Breeze & Fandango for a shot at Imperium’s NXT tag titles
Finn Balor vs. Timothy Thatcher
Adam Cole vs. Pat McAfee
Io Shirai vs. Dakota Kai for women’s title
Johnny Gargano vs. Damien Priest vs. Bronson Reed vs. Velveteen Dream vs. Cameron Grimes for North American title in a ladder match
Keith Lee vs,. Karrion Kross for NXT title
AEW Dynamite on Saturday after the afternoon NBA game at about 6 p.m. on TNT:
Orange Cassidy interview
Darby Allin vs. ?
Brandi Rhodes & Allie vs. Diamante & Ivelisse for women’s tag tourney finals
FTR vs. Private Party
Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus & Dustin Rhodes & QT Marshall vs. Butcher & Blade & Pentagon Jr. & Rey Fenix
Kenny Omega & Young Bucks vs. Alex Reynolds & John Silver & Alan Angels
Cody vs. Brodie Lee for TNT title
Bellator tonight on Paramount and DAZN at 10 p.m. Eastern:
John Salter (186) vs. Andrew Kapel (185.1)
Roy Nelson (264.9) vs. Valentin Moldavsky (234.6)
Julie Budd (145.8) vs. Jessy Miele (147)
Ryan Bader (204) vs. Vadim Nemkov (203.9) for the light heavyweight title
Miele missed weight by one pound
UFC tomorrow on ESPN starting at 5:30 p.m. Eastern from Las Vegas, so it’s head-to-head with both Takeover and AEW:
Trevin Jones (139.5) vs. Timur Valiev (140)
Carlton Minus (170) vs. Matthew Semelsberger (170)
Ike Villanueva (205.5) vs. Jordan Wright (200)
Austin Hubbard (156) vs. Joe Solecki (155.5)
Mizuki Inoue (115.5) vs. Amanda Lemos (115.5)
Mariya Agapova (125.5) vs. Shana Dobson (126)
Marcin Prachio (205.5) vs. Mike Rodriguezx (205.5)
Alonzo Menifield (204.5) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (205.5)
Pedro Munhoz (136) vs. Frankie Edgar (135.5)
A fight with Dwight Grant vs. Calen Born was pulled when Born didn’t weigh-in this morning. A fight with Daniel Rodriguez vs.Takashi Sato was pulled from the show. Both weighed in and made weight, but the Nevada commission pulled Sato from competing. Born had replaced Mark Striegl, who pulled out of the fight with Valiev yesterday.
Amanda Nunes will be defending her women’s featherweight title against Megan Anderson on 12/12 in a match that on paper looks to be one-sided in favor of the champion.
The XFL sale is now official to Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia and Gerry Cardinale.
WWE
WWE debuts the Thunderdome tonight for Smackdown at 8 p.m.
A.J. Styles vs. Jeff Hardy for the IC title
Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro vs. Lucha House Party for tag titles
Big E vs. Sheamus
Drake Maverick vs. Tehuti Miles for 205 Live
Jake Atlas vs Tony Nese for 205 Live
Odds for SummerSlam from www.BetOnline.ag
Bray Wyatt -170 vs. Braun Strowman +130
Randy Orton -140 vs. Drew McIntyre +100
Asuka -140 vs. Sasha Banks +100
Asuka -120 vs. Bayley -120
Seth Rollins -140 vs. Dominik Mysterio +100
Andrade & Angel Garza -160 vs. Street Profits +125
Apollo Crews -200 vs. MVP +150
Mandy Rose -400 vs. Sonya Deville +250
For NXT Takeover:
Keith Lee -140 vs. Karrion Kross +100
Io Shirai -700 vs. Dakota Kai +400
Damien Priest +150 vs. Bronson Reed +275 vs. Johnny Gargano +325 vs. Velveteen Dream +500 vs. Cameron Grimes +650
Adam Cole -180 vs. Pat McAfee +140
Finn Balor -115 vs. Timothy Thatcher -115
Lorcan & Burch -200 vs. Breezango +200 vs. Legado del Fantasma +300
A correction in this week’s Observer. When listing the amount of profits for All Japan over the past three years, those numbers were actually the losses, not the profits.
MLW and Nerds Clothing have joined forces for a new MLW x Nerds collection of T-shirts,jackets and other wear.
A trailer for a new horror movie that features Mick Foley. (thanks to Joe Puccio)
Southeast based wrestlers are being looked for this coming Tuesday for an open casting call for a TV show called Heels that will air on Starz. The show will have a pro wrestling theme to it. You will not be wrestling at the tryout. The audition will be at 10 a.m. at 145 Commerce Dr., Tyron, Ga 30290. Please bring a publicity photo and workout gear. Eight one-hour episodes of the show, starring Stephen Amell, based on the idea of two brothers trying to keep alive a promotion that their father started after their father passes away. It’s based on the idea of a regional promotion in the state of Georgia.
LFA tonight on Fight Pass at 9 p.m. from Sioux Falls,SD
Evan Elder (155.4) vs. Kegan Gennrich (154.8)
Nathan Levy (146) vs. Ben Lugo (144,8)
Aaron McKenzie (155.4) vs. Glaucio Eliziario (157.6)
Jaleel Willis (168.6) vs,. Vinicius De Jesus (170) for welterweight title
Elizario missed weight by 1.6 pounds.
Former NCAA champion Ed Ruth (8-2) has been added to the 9/11 Bellator show facing Taylor Johnson (5-1). Kickboxing star Raymond Daniels (2-1) also faces Peter Stanonik (5-4) on that show.
Southern Utah University is adding a six credit course called “Talkin Bout Hard Times: The Philosophy and Physiology of Sports Entertainment.” It looks at pro wrestling topics such as class struggle to injuries, For more info you can go to
Slam Wrestling has a feature on former WWE wrestler Krissy Vaine, who is attempting a wrestling comeback after leaving the WWE after just two televised appearances back in 2007.
There has been a lot of 1950s Roller Derby that has made its way to YouTube in recent months such as this from its days as a highly rated prime time show on ABC.
As running shows in front of full, or even partial, crowds doesn’t appear to be in the cards this summer, WWE has reportedly laid out their taping schedule for the next two months which will take them through SummerSlam.
Post Wrestling reported the schedule first, noting that the original dates for August’s TakeOver and SummerSlam are intact. However, SummerSlam, originally slated for Boston, MA, has a location of TBD but will likely be at the Performance Center.
July
Wednesday, July 15th: NXT that night and July 22nd
Friday, July 17th: SmackDown/205 Live for that night
Sunday, July 19th: WWE Extreme Rules
Monday, July 20th: Raw/Main Event/Raw Talk for that night and for July 27th
Tuesday, July 21st: SmackDown/205 Live for July 24th and July 31st
Wednesday, July 29th: NXT for that night and August 5th
August
Monday, August 3rd: Raw/Main Event/Raw Talk for that night and August 10th
Tuesday, August 4th: SmackDown/205 Live for August 7th and August 14th
Wednesday, August 12th: NXT for that night and August 19th
Monday, August 17th: Raw/Main Event/Raw Talk for that night, SmackDown/205 Live for August 21st
After WWE finally announced the fate of this year’s WrestleMania Monday night, questions arose as to what the plan was for both NXT TakeOver and the Hall of Fame Ceremony, two staples of the weekend leading up to the company’s biggest show of the year.
Quite simply, they don’t appear to be happening — at least not in their usual form.
WWE’s statement to this writer and other media outlets was consistent: “The WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony and NXT TakeOver will not take place as previously scheduled. We will share further details as they become available.”
The key part of that phrase, however, is “as previously scheduled.”
The prevailing sentiment is that some form of an NXT TakeOver event will air from the Performance Center, likely the Wednesday before WrestleMania and a major coup in the “Wednesday Night Wars” against AEW who announced they will continue to run Dynamite in front of closed set locations for the forseeable future.
That leaves the Hall of Fame ceremony which can’t happen in its usual form with an audience due to the coronavirus outbreak. Given the need for live and new content with virtually the entire sports world on hiatus, WWE could use recorded acceptance speeches during Raw, SmackDown, or on a separate program, but that is simply speculation.
Following NXT TakeOver Sunday, Paul “Triple H” Levesque talked to the media for roughly twenty minutes about the show and a few other NXT-related questions. Just click the red button below to listen.
– He said the show was the highest-grossing WWE event in Portland, OR, since 2008.
– He was asked if USA Network had any involvement/say in the Rhea Ripley-Charlotte Flair angle since both Raw and NXT are on their network. He said they didn’t and things just worked out that way.
– He answered a question about whether TakeOvers could be one of the events that Vince McMahon discussed selling the rights to a streaming service for.
– He talked about Cathy Kelley’s final night with the company.
– He was asked about how the Matt Riddle/Pete Dunne pairing came together.
– He was asked about the different production elements in NXT vs. WWE (less camera cuts and zooming, different lighting, etc).
It took a jet trip and a tricked out golf cart to get them to Portland, Oregon, but it was worth it for the Broserweights Sunday at TakeOver as Pete Dunne and Matt Riddle won the NXT Tag Team titles from The Undisputed Era.
The beginning of the finish to the fantastic match came when Riddle hit a ripcord knee to Bobby Fish to take him out of the action temporarily. He and Dunne then focused on Kyle O’Reilly, hitting tandem knees to the head following an assisted power bomb. Fish then came back into the fray, getting hit with a Riddle fireman’s carry into a dropkick by Dunne to get the pin, sending the Portland crowd into a frenzy.
This is the first NXT gold for both Riddle (who signed with WWE in the summer of 2018) and Dunne, the long reigning former WWE UK Champion. They earned the title shot with their tournament victory in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
The victory ended the third reign for the Undisputed Era of Fish and O’Reilly who held the belts for 172 days after defeating the Street Profits in August on NXT TV.
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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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
We’re looking for reports from the WWE show last night in Eugene, OR, Warrior Wrestling last night in Chicago, WWE tonight in Kennewick, WA and the OTT show in Dublin yesterday to [email protected]. We’re also looking for your thoughts on the NXT Takeover show tonight, with a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected].
Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Takeover and the latest wrestling news. You can send questions to the show to [email protected].
Our F4W/WON Convention will take place once again in Las Vegas this year during Double or Nothing weekend. More information can be found here.
Takeover tonight in Portland has:
Adam Cole vs. Tommaso Ciampa for NXT title
Johnny Gargano vs. Finn Balor
Rhea Ripley vs. Bianca Belair for women’s title
Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Matt Riddle & Pete Dunne for tag titles
Keith Lee vs. Dominik Dijakovic for North American title
Tegan Nox vs. Dakota Kai street fight
On paper this show looks super. Lee vs. Dijakovic has the potential to be incredible and the tag title match, Gargano vs. Balor and Cole vs. Ciampa almost can’t help but be great. One would think they’d also try and shoot some angles for Wednesday and do a surprise intro or two.
Both Tito Ortiz and Simone Johnson have been training of late at the PC.
On the weekend Google searches, nothing from pro wrestling made the list. For today at this moment, Diego Sanchez was No. 4 with 50,000, largely due to Conor McGregor mentioning him, and Caleb Plant, a boxer, was No. 8 with 20,000. For yesterday, UFC was No. 12 at 50,000. For Friday, boxer Ryan Garcia was No.8 at 200,000 and Tyson Fury was No. 10 at 100,000.
WWE
Raw tomorrow night is from Everett, WA, has Randy Orton vs. Matt Hardy, Bobby Lashley & Angel Garza vs. Rusev & Humberto Carrillo and Big Show is scheduled to be there (not advertised at this point).
Friday’s RevPro show in London will go up on their service tomorrow morning U.K. time. That’s where Will Ospreay beat Zack Sabre Jr. to win the British title.
PWA iPPV from last night in Australia: Big Fudge b Dazza, Mikey Broderick won over Carter Deems, Silvio and Tree Hugger Luchi, Madison Eagles b Matty Wahlberg, Jack Bonza & Kingley b Jimmy Townsend & William Preston, Sam Osborne b Adam Hoffman, Ricky South b Mat Diamond, Ricky South b Headhunter Rig, Ricky South b Caveman Ugg-COR, Paris De Silva b Michael Spencer, AJ & Rhys Angel b Concrete Davidson & Shazza McKenzie, Jessica Troy b Steph DeLander (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
NEW from last night in New Bethany, CT: Jake Manning b Brian Anthony, Keith Youngblood b NEW champ Dan Maff-DQ, Facebook champ Christian Casanova D Flip Gordon 15:00, Bear Country & Richard Holiday b Chris Battle & Mike Gamble & Dexter Loux, Traevon Jordan & Jaylen Brandyn b Aiden Aggro & Danger Kid, Wrecking Ball Legursky b Mike Verna, JT Dunn b Sledge, Brad Hollister b Brett Ryan Gosselin (thanks to Nick Mahmood)
SICW from last night in East Carondelet, IL: War Machine b Richard Shaw, Billy McNeil b Jake Prater, Frankie D b Kowalski-DQ, Steve Fender b Bobby D, Ax Allwardt b Damian Blade-DQ, Mauler McDarby b Chris Kade, Gary Jackson & Gil Rogers b Ken Kasa & Christopher Hargas, Ricky Cruz b CurtisWylde with Tito Santana as referee (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
EVE runs 3/7 at the Resistance Gallery in Bethnal Green, London, UK. It will air live on FITE TV. Jazzy Gabert returns as Alpha Female to face Rhia O’Reilly. Gisele Shaw also faces Sammii Jayne, plus Holidead vs. Kasey. Session Moth Martina from ROH will also be there.
Stardom from today in Tokyo: Jamie Hayter b Hina, Momo Watanabe & AZM b Hana Kimura & Rina, Jungle Kyona & Itsuki Hoshino b Leo Onozaki (retirement match) & Saya Iida, Giulia & Maika b Konami & Leyla Hirsch, Natsuko Tora & Saki Kashima & Bea Priestley & Natsu Sumire & Zoey Skye b Mayu Iwatani & Arisa Hoshiki & Riho & Tam Nakano & Starlight Kid, Utami Hayashishita b Saya Kamitani to keep the Future of Stardom title, although she then vacated the title.
Ultimate Championship Wrestling from last night in Bay City, MI: Nick Green b John E. Bravo, Adrian Chase & Alex Little & Brandon Marcinko b Nate Bock & Kyle Barrett in 3 on 2, Ingrid Isley b Kexy Blakk, Tommy Dreamer b Lawrence Jeter, Rohit Raju b Cousin Jake, Brooklyn Brawler & Bry Sullivan b Kurt Hendik & Kodiak K Fabio Morocco, El Ridiculoso b Billy Ray Daniels in a ladder match. Sgt. Slaughter was a special guest and the show sold out. (thanks to Leonard Brand)
A story on former wrestler Patric Tanaka, who is now training wrestlers in Fargo, ND.
After being set up on NXT last week, Johnny Gargano vs. Finn Balor has now been officially confirmed for NXT TakeOver: Portland.
The match announcement was made on this morning’s episode of WWE’s The Bump. TakeOver: Portland is being held at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon on Sunday, February 16.
Balor vs. Gargano was originally supposed to take place at TakeOver: WarGames in November, but the match was never officially announced and Gargano missed the show due to a neck injury.
Gargano made his return to NXT television last month, costing Balor an NXT Championship match against Adam Cole and then attacking Balor with a steel chair.
On last week’s NXT, there was a segment where Balor said he’ll give Gargano a match at TakeOver — if Gargano can make it that far — and told him to go talk to NXT general manager William Regal about it.
A battle royal on tonight’s NXT will determine who will challenge for the NXT Women’s Championship at TakeOver: Portland. Bianca Belair, Candice LeRae, Chelsea Green, Dakota Kai, Vanessa Borne, Kayden Carter, Mia Yim, Santana Garrett, Io Shirai, Shotzi Blackheart, Xia Li, and the newly-signed Mercedes Martinez are advertised for the battle royal.
Ahead of TakeOver, NXT Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley will defend her title against Toni Storm at Worlds Collide on January 25.
Instead of a NXT TakeOver event, WWE will instead run a Worlds Collide show prior to the 2020 Royal Rumble.
Travel package information for the 2020 Royal Rumble showed that a Worlds Collide event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 25. The show will be held at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
WWE has confirmed that the travel package listing was not an error, and that a Worlds Collide event is taking place on that day instead of TakeOver. In regards to the future of NXT TakeOver events, WWE said in a statement that “the schedule of the 2020 NXT TakeOver Events will be out in the near future.”
Worlds Collide shows first took place at this year’s Royal Rumble over a two-day period. It featured wrestlers from 205 Live, NXT and NXT UK. A tournament was held where the winner would get a title shot of their choosing within those brands. Velveteen Dream won the tournament, defeating Tyler Bate in the finals.
Another series of shows took place during WrestleMania weekend that also featured wrestlers from the main roster.
Following NXT TakeOver: Toronto, WWE teased what’s next for Johnny Gargano after losing to Adam Cole.
WWE uploaded video of the ovation Gargano received from the crowd, along with William Regal greeting him on the stage after the match. Regal shook Gargano’s hand, hugged him, and raised his arm. The crowd chanted “NXT,” with Gargano encouraging them to chant louder:
In storyline, Regal chose the stipulation for the third fall of last night’s NXT Championship match. The first fall was a normal wrestling match (chosen by Cole) and the second was a street fight (chosen by Gargano).
Cole won the first fall when Gargano got disqualified for using a steel chair, Gargano won the second fall, and the stipulation for the third was a steel cage filled with weapons that had barbed wire on top. The finish was Gargano and Cole both crashing through a table from the top of the cage. Cole covered Gargano to retain the NXT title.
NXT will follow up on TakeOver at their next set of television tapings, which are taking place at Full Sail University this Thursday (August 15).
WWE COO Paul “HHH” Levesque held his traditional pre-TakeOver conference call Thursday morning, answering questions about the show, the talent, and even a few about the company.
– He was asked whether he was under consideration for the Paul Heyman-Eric Bischoff director roles for Raw/ and SmackDown.
– He said they are in the process of finalizing some things and hope to announce something on the Mae Young Classic soon.
– He was asked about EVOLVE’s 10th anniversary show and said it was a grand slam and that WWE Network will be “the one stop shop for everything you could ever need and want in the industry.”
– With regard to the NXT on FS1 rumors, he said there is always ongoing discussions on where content goes, regardless of platform. He added that he’s heard the chatter about how an FS1 show on Wednesdays would be counterprogramming AEW (without mentioning them by name), but that NXT has been on that day and time “forever”.
– He said they’ve made a big push to have talent treat live and taped shows the same. He noticed that when SD was taped, the energy level was lower, equating it to a tightrope walker with a net under them. Part of the prep at the PC has been to work through that.
– He discussed Simone Johnson’s training at the PC and confirmed her dad has been there from time to time watching her train. He added that the PC is like a fountain of youth for older talents who come back to help out.
On Thursday, WWE COO and NXT godfather Paul “HHH” Levesque held his traditional pre-TakeOver conference call with the media which you can listen to for free below.
A few highlights and notable items:
Levesque wasn’t asked about Jon Moxley’s podcast appearance with Chris Jericho.
One AEW-related question did come up in relation to whether the jabs between WWE and AEW would extend to the NXT brand.
He confirmed Tyler Breeze is an NXT talent now and is happy to have him back. He thinks Breeze vs. Velveteen Dream could steal the show Saturday night in Bridgeport, CT.
He was asked about the future of NXT and Fox.
He was asked about the decision making process in having the Viking Raiders vacate the NXT tag team titles instead of losing them in the ring.
He was asked about whether other unused WWE talents could be brought in to help further develop the talent.
