Daily Update: Stardom, Bea Priestley, WrestleMania rules

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

JOB LISTING: Web/UI Developer(s)

  • Experience with OnLamp (Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP)
  • GITHUB and Linux command line experience while be helpful as well.
  • CMS – Drupal and WordPress. vBulletin
  • Possible experience with AWS (s3 specifically), Dreamhost, UI development
  • Cloud based hosting experience a plus
  • Javascript also a huge plus

While this is a diverse request this doesn’t have to be just one person! If you fit any part of this please feel free to inquire.

This is not just for projects related to F4WOnline.

  • Send all inquiries to [email protected] with title WEB DEVELOPER.
  • If you have inquired before, please send your information again. 

Latest Free YouTube Video:

Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!

WON NEWSLETTER: April 5, 2021 Observer Newsletter: NXT to Tuesdays official, UFC 260 review

The end of the Wednesday night war is the lead story in the current issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

We look at the announcement, international implications, barbs back-and-forth, Paul Levesque’s speech announcing the move to those who work at NXT, the Wednesday night stats with one week left, a look at the final head-to-head battle, advantages each side had going in, what lessons were shown by the Wednesday wars, where each side had the advantage and what lessons it says about what people want out of their wrestling.

NXT’s move to Tuesday, what should happen with the ratings based on past examples, trajectory changes of late, the numbers each show has done in the past unopposed and what should and shouldn’t be expected to happen over the next few weeks. We also look at the 2021 averages for AEW and NXT.

Also in this issue:

How the Endeavor IPO changes the UFC business and how the ESPN deal makes making the big money fights less important to UFC. We look at the value of a Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou fight, but where the big payoff goes and where the big expense goes.l  We look at numbers Jones has talked about, the lightweight title, belts losing all credibility, and questions about Jones and Ngannou should a fight take place.

WWE Network shows migrating to Peacock, shows difficult to find, editing of shows, shows that had already been heavily edited, WWE next business report, how the new NFL scheduled affects Raw and WWE, Charly Caruso leaving and ESPN deal, Vince McMahon and Oliver Luck lawsuit update, William Shatner as wrestling fan decades ago, Glenn Jacobs honored, Rhea Ripley talks how she found out about her WrestleMania match, Paige talks wrestling again, writing team member let go, International TV ratings, how wrestling shows did s compared with sports programming this past week, Shawn Michaels talks superkicks, a look at the Hurt Business breakup, William Regal talks Sasha Banks, Hall of Fame news, and WWE market value.

UFC 260, with the background of the show, match-by-match coverage, business notes and poll results.

WWE heading into WrestleMania, the main event story behind the story the build up, business notes, ticket sales, NXT Takeover, plus updated lineups.

Andrade’s different interviews talking why he left, the Charlotte Flair pregnancy test story, the COVID story, the Saudi Arabia trip, where he may wind up, offers made by WWE, what he wants out of his career, and what angle suggested for him that was nixed.

ROH 19th anniversary show, with highlights, match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

2021 Hodge trophy award voting and why there were two winners even with the voting not close.

Non-WWE shows during WrestleMania weekend, from AEW to Game Changer, ticket sales and more.

More into detail on ratings than any other source, we have how every segment on NXT and AEW did as well as how it did with different age groups, genders and more, plus a look at all other wrestling shows of the past week.

Results of the major pro wrestling events of the past week.

ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight talking about WrestleMania news, New Japan’s title change, Stardom, Olympic trials and more. You can send questions to the show to [email protected]

Stardom PPV results from earlier today in Yokohama: Hina won three-way over AZM and Lacy C, Momo Watanabe b Mina Shirakawa, Saya Kamitani b Unagi Sayaka, Rina & Ruaka & Konami & Saki Kashima & NatsukoTora b Gokigen Death & Hanan & Saya Iida & Starlight Kid & Mayu Iwatani in an elimination match, Tam Nakano b Natsupoi to retain the Wonder of Stardom title, Utami Hayashishita b Bea Priestley to retain the World of Stardom title,l Giulia & Syuri b Himeka & Maika to win the Goddesses of Stardom tag titles. The Stardom PPV link is here.

The biggest news from the show is that after losing, Priestley said that this was her last match in Stardom. When she didn’t sign a new contract with New Japan, she also didn’t sign a new deal here and she made this decision some time back. She is leaving Japan. The only thing I can say is that she’s not going to AEW and the rest would be the same conclusion everyone else would come up with, which is the place she’s not allowed to say if she’s going there and thus she’s said nothing. This was kept quiet because if it had been said ahead of time it would have given away the result of the match. People are raving about this as the best women’s match this year and that the top three matches are all great. Syuri challenged Hayashishita for the title.

Another note is that Will Ospreay and Priestley both went into the ring challenging for the world title at literally the same time earlier today in buildings about 45 minutes apart. I wonder if such a thing has ever happened previously in wrestling history.

Regarding WWE quarantine rules for this week.There was no mandate put down by the company.There are people who are quarantining themselves by choice this week because  nobody wants to test positive.  

For those who attend WrestleMania live, these are the rules:

  • Masks are required at all times unless you are in your seat eating or drinking
  • You are not allowed to gather in common areas with people in places like the concourse
  • All food and drink transactions will be cashless.  They will have reverse ATM machines to use if you have cash, you can put the cash into the machine and it will give you a debit card you can use
  • No bags are allowed in the stadium
  • You must sign a waiver that holds WWE, Raymond James Stadium, the city of Tampa and everyone else harmless if you catch COVID at the show, even if it is due to the negligence of any of those parties
  • This waiver is standard across the board these days as has been noted in the Observer for Mania and other events.

Here are the results from last night’s finals of the Olympic trials in Fort Worth, TX. There were a number of major confrontations with the best wrestlers in the country. Of note to WWE fans, Gable Steveson made the Olympic team. 2016 gold medalists Kyle Snyder and Helen Maroulis will go for their second gold medals. All the finals were best two out of three:

Women’s freestyle:

  • 110 – Sarah Hildebrandt b Victoria Anthony 12-2, 10-0
  • 117 – Jacarra Winchester b Ronna Heaton 7-4, 12-2
  • 125 – Helen Maroulis b Jenna Burkert 5-3, 5-6. pin :24
  • 136 – Kayla Miracle b Macey Kilty 8-4, 3-4, injury :32
  • 150 – Tamyra Mensah-Stock b Kennedy Blades 12-4, 8-1
  • 167 – Adelina Gray b Kylie Welker 10-0, 11-0

Welker is a high school junior who is 17 years old and was the big surprise of the trials

Men’s freestyle:

  • 125 – Thomas Gilman b Vitali Arujau pin 5:42, decision
  • 143 – Jordan Oliver b Joseph McKenna 3-0, 5-2
  • 163 – Kyle Dake b Jordan Burroughs 3-0, 3-2.  Burroughs is a multiple-time world champion and this was considered the biggest U.S. match of the year
  • 189 – David Taylor b Bo Nickal 4-0, 6-0
  • 213 – Kyle Snyder b Kollin Moore 10-0, 5-1
  • 275 – Gable Steveson b Nick Gwiazdowski 10-0, 10-4

Men’s Greco-Roman

  • 132 – Ildar Hafizov b Ryan Mango 7-0, 8-0
  • 147 – Alejandro Sancho b Ellis Coleman 2-0, 3-1
  • 169 – Jesse Porter b Peyton Walsh 8-1, 7-7
  • 191 – John Stefanowicz b Joe Rau 6-5, 2-1
  • 213 – G’Angelo Hancock b Braxton Amos 8-0, 8-0
  • 286 – Adam Coon b Cohiiton Schultz 10-0, 3-3

With no UFC event yesterday and the boxing and wrestling not having anything major to the general public all week, nothing cracked the top 20 from combat sports or entertainment in searches the entire week. Logan Paul was No. 9 on Wednesday but that was from the Masked Singer, not wrestling.

Reelz’s Autopsy: The Last Hours Of…” next Sunday 4/11 at 9 p.m. has a show on the death of Randy Savage. (thanks to Jeff Beecher)

A major welterweight fight with Stephen Thompson vs. Gilbert Burns has been added to the 7/10 show.

John Cena will appear on “Ellen” and “The Late Show with Stepehn Colbert tomorrow plugging “Wipeout.”

UFC

  • Belal Muhammad vs. Demian Maia has been added to the 6/12 show.  This will be the final fight of Maia’s contract.  He has talked about retirement in the past.
  • Raoni Barcelos vs. Timur Valiev is slated for the 6/26 show.
  • Juan Espino vs. Alexandr Romanov has been added to the 4/17 show.
  • Rick Glenn vs. Joaquim Silva has been added to the 6/19 show.

OTHER NEWS

  • This is an updated list of those who will be at WrestleCon in Tampa this year: The Steiner Brothers, Jay White, Magnum TA, Dean Malenko, Christian Cage, Gail Kim, Ricky Steamboat, Scott Hall, Ted DiBiase, Kevin Nash, Jerry Lawler, Arn Anderson, Jake Roberts, Ron Simmons, Jim Duggan, Sgt. Slaughter, Matt Taven, Enzo, Cass, Salina de la Renta, Matt Cardona, Sean Waltman, Jazz, Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Rocky Romero, Brooke Adams, Lio Rush, Lex Luger, Brooke Hogan, and Haku.
  • An article on the Go Shiozaki vs. Kazuyuki Fujita match from last year where they did an empty arena match where neither touched for more than 40 minutes (thanks to Lee Wall)
  • A very interesting story on the rise of Danny Hodge in the McGuirk territory in 1959-60. From his first pro wrestling match, he became the top babyface in a major territory in six months, replacing Ivan the Terrible (an early name of Pampero Firpo). Actually more shocking isn’t that Hodge took six months to be the top star, it’s that Ivan the Terrible, billed as a Russian, was the top babyface in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and several other states in 1959, which was the height of the cold war. I don’t know if anyone, sans guys like Danno O’Mahoney who was top babyface after only a few matches, could make this claim.  Lex Luger in Florida was top babyface in seven months. Bill Goldberg was probably about 10 months.  
  • Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell claims the Republicans have turned the government into WWE and actually explains breaking of kayfabe as well. (thanks to Paul Kacprzak)
  • Memphis Wrestling from yesterday’s TV show:  Alan Steel b Max Stone, CeCe Chanel b Diana Taylor, Ryan Rembrandt b Precious, DJ Brown b Johnny Lyons, Da Russell Twins b Skimahorns, Mike Anthony b Justin Cole, Queen Kaytelyn Black b Nikki Lane.
  • XICW from yesterday in Standish, MI:  Royce Carney III b Heat Bock, Alex Weir b Mitch Hewitt & TJ Meyer, Grey Wolves b Mysterious Movado & El Ridiculoso, LJ Lawrence b Soultaker-DQ, Billy Ray Daniels b Nelson Edwin Robet Doolittle, Kongo Kong b Mongo, Danny Shay b Lawrence Jeter, Tommy Vendetta b Dre Jacobs and Justin Dream to win Intense title, Malcolm Monroe b Aaron Orion to keep Midwest title, Rhino & DBA b Jack Price & Adam Wick to win the Proving Ground tag team titles (thanks to Leonard Brand)
  • Texoma Pro Wrestling from last night in Sherman, TX:  Will Alldayu b Mr. Wobble, JD Griffey b Matthew Palmer, Edge Stone won three-way over Cam Cole and Nate Collins, Johnny O’Mara b Niles Plonk, Funnybone b Chickasaw Warrior, Promise Braxton won three-way over Mayka Madrid and Miranda Gordy, Charlie Haas b Dmitri Alexandrov.  Next show is 4/16 (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
  • WrestleMax St. Louis from last night in St. Louis for the David Lee Memorial tournament:  Rahim de la Suede won four-way over Moses, ATM and Ryu Kendrick, Mat Fitchett b Anthony Gutierrez, JDX b Jah-C, Calvin Tankman b Jake Something, Mike Outlaw b Xavier Walker-COR, Kevin Lee Davidson NC Moonshine Mantell, JDX b Mat Fitchett, Mike Outlaw b Calvin Tankman, Brooke Valentine b Blair Onxy, Jah-C won over Camaro Jackson, Edvin Kudic, Levi Everett, Devon Monroe and Chris Hendrix, Mike Outlaw b JDX to win tournament  (thanks to Patrick Bandmeyer)

Daily Pro Wrestling History: WWF WrestleMania IX

CONTACT INFORMATION

Crews challenges Big E to Nigerian Drum Fight at WWE WrestleMania 37

A stipulation looks to be set for Big E and Apollo Crews’ Intercontinental title match at WrestleMania 37.

On tonight’s SmackDown, Crews cut a backstage promo challenging Big E to make their Intercontinental title match at WrestleMania 37 a Nigerian Drum Fight. Big E putting his Intercontinental title on the line against Crews will be part of the WrestleMania 37 night two card on Sunday, April 11.

Crews said the Nigerian Drum Fight is an ancient duel created by his ancestors for those who are wronged to get a chance to make things right. Crews said there are no rules or limitations — just a beating so loud it sounds like a drum. Big E has yet to respond to Crews’ challenge.

Crews debuted a character change this February, embracing his Nigerian heritage and claiming to be a descendent of Nigerian royalty. Big E had said Crews wouldn’t be getting another shot at the Intercontinental title. But after an angle where Crews attacked Big E with the steel steps, they again faced off for the title at Fastlane last month.

Big E retained against Crews at Fastlane, but Crews then attacked him after the match. Crews pinned Big E to get the win in a six-man tag match on SmackDown last week.

WrestleMania 37 is taking place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11. Both nights will air live on Peacock in the United States and live on the WWE Network everywhere else.

Logan Paul to appear at WWE WrestleMania 37

It was confirmed on tonight’s SmackDown that social media star Logan Paul will be Sami Zayn’s special guest at WrestleMania.

Paul accepted Zayn’s invitation as he made an appearance on tonight’s SmackDown as a guest for Zayn’s red carpet premiere of his documentary trailer. The trailer aired, showcasing Zayn’s gimmick of being a conspiracy theorist that feels everyone is against him. When Zayn asked for Paul’s thoughts following the end of the trailer, Paul admitted that Zayn did put a lot of effort into the trailer.

Kevin Owens then came to the ring and laid out Zayn with a stunner, telling him to stop with the conspiracies. He brushed against Paul as he exited the ring. Zayn later retaliated backstage, attacking Owens.

It had been reported last month in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Paul would be a part of the Zayn/Owens storyline. Their match will take place on night two of WrestleMania, April 11.

Zayn and Owens have rekindled their feud in recent weeks, with Owens wanting Zayn to stop with the constant conspiracy theories, while Zayn thinks Owens too is part of the conspiracy.

WWE announces WrestleMania week lineup on Peacock

WWE has announced their WrestleMania 37 week lineup that will air on Peacock over the course of the next week.

Along with WrestleMania, NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver, and the WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony, a new WWE Chronicle episode focusing on Edge will be avaliable next Saturday, April 10. Other content being added this week includes Best of WWE episodes on WrestleMania through different decades, new episodes of The Bump, an NXT Prime Target episode focusing on the Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly feud, independent shows from EVOLVE, ICW, and wXw, and more.

Broken Skull Sessions with Chris Jericho, which was announced earlier today by WWE, will be uploaded on April 11, the final day of WrestleMania week.

Here is the full schedule announced by WWE:

Monday, April 5:

  • The Best of WWE: Best of WrestleMania in the 1990s
  • Raw Talk (streaming at 11 p.m. ET)

Tuesday, April 6:

  • Prime Target: Cole vs. O’Reilly
  • Making WWE: Jason Robinson
  • The Best of WWE: Best of WrestleMania in the 2000s
  • WWE Hall of Fame 2020 and 2021 induction ceremonies (streaming live at 8 p.m. ET)

Wedneday, April 7:

  • The Best of WWE: Best of WrestleMania in the 2010s
  • WWE’s The Bump (streaming at 10 a.m. ET.)
  • NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver Night 1  pre-show (streaming at 7 p.m. ET)
  • NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver Night 1 (streaming at 8 p.m. ET)

Thursday, April 8:

  • WWE NXT UK Prelude 
  • This Week in WWE
  • NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver Night 2 pre-show (streaming at 7 p.m. ET)
  • NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver Night 2  (streaming at 8 p.m. ET)

Friday, April 9:

  • The Best of WWE: Best of WrestleMania Main Events
  • 205 Live (streaming at 10 p.m. ET)

Saturday, April 10:

  • EVOLVE 8
  • ICW Fight Club 167
  • wXw We Love Wrestling #6
  • PROGRESS Chapter 108
  • Talking Smack
  • WWE Chronicle: Edge
  • WWE’s The Bump (streaming at 1 p.m. ET)
  • WrestleMania 37 Kickoff Night 1 (streaming at 7 p.m. ET)
  • WrestleMania 37 Night 1 (streaming at 8 p.m. ET)
  • WrestleMania 37 Night 1 Watch Along (streaming at 8 p.m. ET)

Sunday, April 11:

  • Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions with Chris Jericho
  • WWE’s The Bump (streaming at 1 p.m. ET)
  • WrestleMania 37 Kickoff Night 2 (streaming at 7 p.m. ET)
  • WrestleMania 37 Night 2 (streaming at 8 p.m. ET)
  • WrestleMania 37 Night 2 Watch Along (streaming at 8 p.m. ET)

WWE Women’s Tag Team titles to be defended at WrestleMania 37

Both a WWE Women’s Tag Team title match and a title eliminator match will be part of WrestleMania 37.

PW Insider first reported that the plan is for a multi-team match to be part of the Saturday, April 10th card with the winner moving on to face champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler on the Sunday, April 11th card. Insider said it could involve four teams or more and that this Monday’s pre-taped Raw will help set things in motion.

Dave Meltzer confirmed the report.

Jax and Baszler are in their second title reign after defeating Charlotte Flair and Asuka for the belts at January’s Royal Rumble. They will be looking for the fifth defense of the titles.

Here’s the full cards for the shows as of now:

WrestleMania 37 night one (Saturday, April 10):

  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair title match
  • WWE Champion Bobby Lashley vs. Drew McIntyre title match
  • Bad Bunny vs. The Miz
  • Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) vs. AJ Styles & Omos title match
  • Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon in a steel cage match
  • Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team championship title eliminator match (teams TBA)

WrestleMania 37 night two (Sunday, April 11):

  • Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. Edge vs. Daniel Bryan in a triple threat title match
  • Raw Women’s Champion Asuka vs. Rhea Ripley title match
  • “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton
  • Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
  • Intercontinental Champion Big E vs. Apollo Crews title match
  • United States Champion Riddle vs. Sheamus title match
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax vs. TBD title match

William Shatner to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame

Image: WWE

The 2021 WWE Hall of Fame will have a celebrity inductee as William Shatner will be part of this year’s class.

He joins a class that includes Molly Holly, Eric Bischoff, Kane, The Great Khali and Rob Van Dam.

Known best for his roles on Star Trek, T.J. Hooker, Boston Legal, and various commercials, the 90-year-old has been involved with WWE since a 1995 episode of Raw. He made his debut on Jerry Lawler’s talk show segment, getting physical with “The King” in giving him a monkey flip after things became heated.

The week after, he cornered fellow Canadian countryman Bret Hart in a Raw match against Jeff Jarrett and got physical again, this time with “Road Dogg” Jesse James. In 2010, he was the guest host for an episode of Raw.

Shatner inducted Lawler into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.

The ceremony for both the 2020 and 2021 inductees is being filmed this week for air next Tuesday on WWE Network/Peacock as part of a week of activities for WrestleMania 37.

United States title match added to WWE WrestleMania 37

A United States Championship match is the latest addition to the lineup for WrestleMania 37.

Riddle will defend his United States Championship against Sheamus at WrestleMania 37 night two on Sunday, April 11. That was announced after Sheamus defeated Riddle in a non-title match on Raw tonight.

At the end of their match on tonight’s Raw, Sheamus pinned Riddle after hitting a knee strike. Sheamus charged at Riddle and knocked him into a production crate backstage before the match began. 

Riddle got some payback on Sheamus by knocking him out of the ring as Sheamus was celebrating after their match tonight.

Last week, there was a segment where Sheamus was being interviewed backstage but was interrupted by Riddle. After being asked multiple questions by Riddle, Sheamus acted like he was interested in riding Riddle’s scooter. Riddle went to let Sheamus ride the scooter, but Sheamus instead attacked him with it.

WrestleMania 37 is taking place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11. Here are the updated cards for the event:

WrestleMania 37 night one (Saturday, April 10) —

  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks defends against Bianca Belair
  • WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Drew McIntyre
  • Bad Bunny vs. The Miz
  • Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) defend against AJ Styles & Omos
  • Steel cage match: Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon
  • Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro

WrestleMania 37 night two (Sunday, April 11) —

  • Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Edge and Daniel Bryan in a triple threat match
  • Raw Women’s Champion Asuka defends against Rhea Ripley
  • “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton
  • Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
  • Intercontinental Champion Big E defends against Apollo Crews
  • United States Champion Riddle defends against Sheamus

Stipulation set for Strowman vs. Shane at WWE WrestleMania 37

WWE has revealed the stipulation for Braun Strowman and Shane McMahon’s match at WrestleMania 37.

Strowman vs. Shane at WrestleMania 37 will now be a steel cage match. The match will be part of the card for WrestleMania 37 night one on Saturday, April 10. WrestleMania 37 is a two-night event that’s taking place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

When Shane accepted Strowman’s WrestleMania challenged last week, he told Strowman that he’d give him any match that he wanted. Strowman then announced on tonight’s Raw that he’ll be facing Shane in a steel cage match at WrestleMania. Strowman said he chose the steel cage stipulation so that Shane’s lackeys Elias and Jaxson Ryker won’t be able to get involved in the match.

A match between Strowman and Shane had originally been set for Fastlane earlier this month, but Shane got out of facing Strowman by claiming that he suffered a knee injury in training. Strowman instead defeated Elias at Fastlane. He also defeated Elias on Raw last week.

Strowman and Shane’s storyline has been built around Shane calling Strowman stupid. That continued on Raw tonight, with Shane revealing Strowman’s fifth grade report card with all D grades. Strowman then defeated Ryker on tonight’s show. After the match, Shane ran away when Strowman went after him. Elias hit a knee strike on Strowman, then Shane and Elias double-teamed Strowman until he fought them off.

Here are the updated cards for WrestleMania 37:

WrestleMania 37 night one (Saturday, April 10) —

  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks defends against Bianca Belair
  • WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Drew McIntyre
  • Bad Bunny vs. The Miz
  • Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) defend against AJ Styles & Omos
  • Steel cage match: Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon
  • Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro

WrestleMania 37 night two (Sunday, April 11) —

  • Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Edge and Daniel Bryan in a triple threat match
  • Raw Women’s Champion Asuka defends against Rhea Ripley
  • “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton
  • Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
  • Intercontinental Champion Big E defends against Apollo Crews
  • United States Champion Riddle defends against Sheamus

WWE, DraftKings announce deal, kicking off at WrestleMania 37

On Monday, WWE and DraftKings announced a deal in which the latter becomes their first-ever free-to-play gaming partner with their deal kicking off in just a few weeks during WrestleMania 37 weekend.

According to the release, the deal will center around DraftKings’ free-to-play player pools and specifically for WWE pay-per-views:

“Pursuant to the agreement with WWE, DraftKings will receive an exclusive license to media assets and in-game branding for WWE pay-per-view events. Additionally, both WWE fans and DraftKings customers will be able to participate in a number of integrated, free-to-play pools contests and products and experience digital promotion and program integration.”

The first contest(s) will start during the two nights of WrestleMania on Saturday, April 10th and Sunday, April 11th in Tampa, Florida, and on the Peacock streaming service. No details were given as to what those first contest(s) will be, but it’s assumed they will exist in their daily fantasy business and not in their DraftKings Sportsbook or Casino.

No financial terms or length of the deal were disclosed.

Three matches added to WWE WrestleMania 37

Three new matches have been made official for WrestleMania 37.

On tonight’s SmackDown, it was announced that Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro will be taking place at WrestleMania 37 night one. The other two new additions will be part of the card for WrestleMania 37 night two. Big E will defend his Intercontinental title against Apollo Crews, while Kevin Owens will face Sami Zayn.

WWE has also confirmed that The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) vs. AJ Styles & Omos for the Raw Tag Team titles and Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon are set for WrestleMania 37 night one. Both matches had already been announced for WrestleMania, but the night they’ll be taking place on wasn’t revealed until now.

Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida is hosting WrestleMania 37 on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11. Both nights will air live on Peacock in the United States and will be live on the WWE Network everywhere else.

Here are the updated cards for WrestleMania:

WrestleMania 37 night one (Saturday, April 10) —

  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks defends against Bianca Belair
  • WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Drew McIntyre
  • Bad Bunny vs. The Miz
  • Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) defend against AJ Styles & Omos
  • Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon
  • Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro

WrestleMania 37 night two (Sunday, April 11) —

  • Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Edge and Daniel Bryan in a triple threat match
  • Raw Women’s Champion Asuka defends against Rhea Ripley
  • “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton
  • Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
  • Intercontinental Champion Big E defends against Apollo Crews

Reigns vs. Edge vs. Bryan Universal title match set for WrestleMania 37

What was assumed to be a foregone conclusion after last Sunday’s Fastlane is now a reality as WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns will defend the title against Edge and Daniel Bryan in a triple threat match at WrestleMania 37.

Adam Pearce announced his decision at the close of Friday’s WWE SmackDown which neither Reigns nor Edge seemed to care for. A brawl broke out between all three men with Edge standing tall at the end following his use of a steel chair.

It’s unknown what night the match will be part of and whether it will be a main event of that night.

In the main event of last Sunday’s Fastlane pay-per-view, Reigns retained the title in a win over Bryan that was marred by Edge involving himself in the match after the referee was knocked out. Bryan got a visual submission on Reigns with the Yes Lock that helped his claim that he should have another shot at the title.

Edge had earned a shot at either the WWE Champion or Universal Champion after winning this year’s Royal Rumble.

WrestleMania 37 is set for Saturday, April 10th and Sunday, April 11th at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

March 29, 2021 Observer Newsletter: WrestleMania 37 lineup, Fastlane review

WWE is now two weeks away from WrestleMania, and there is at least a semblance of a lineup of what will take place on what night.

The idea is for three-and-a-half to four hours shows on both 4/10 and 4/11 from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. It will be the first WWE show with more than a few hundred fans in more than one year, and with the exception of 1/4 at the Tokyo Dome, the first pro wrestling shows of any kind with more than 10,000 fans in attendance.

Announced for the Saturday night show is a main event of Bobby Lashley vs. Drew McIntyre for the WWE title, plus Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair for the Smackdown women’s title and The Miz vs. Bad Bunny.

The Sunday main event will be Roman Reigns vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Edge for the Universal title (at this point it is announced as Reigns vs. Edge but that has been changed, and the change is expected to be announced after an angle on the 3/26 Smackdown show), Asuka vs. Rhea Ripley for the Raw women’s title and The Fiend vs. Randy Orton, likely in a stipulation match.

Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon added to WWE WrestleMania 37

After not happening at Fastlane, a new date has been set for Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon.

WWE has announced that Strowman vs. Shane will take place at WrestleMania 37. The match was confirmed after a challenge that was issued on Raw tonight.

Strowman defeated Elias on tonight’s Raw. Shane tried to hit Strowman with a crutch after the match, but it didn’t faze Strowman. Despite claiming to have a knee injury, Shane then ran away from Strowman. Strowman got on the microphone and challenged Shane to face him one-on-one at WrestleMania. Shane accepted the challenge and said he’ll give Strowman any match that he wants. Shane said he’s going to win — because Strowman is stupid.

A stipulation for Strowman vs. Shane has yet to be announced.

Strowman also defeated Elias at Fastlane on Sunday night. Strowman vs. Shane had originally been announced for the pay-per-view, but there was an angle where Shane got out of the match by claiming that he suffered a knee injury in training. Shane had also agreed to face Strowman on Raw last week, but Shane stalled and the match never got started. Shane hit Strowman with a cameraman’s camera, gave Strowman an elbow drop through the announce table, and poured buckets of slime on him.

Throughout their feud, Shane has mocked Strowman for being stupid. Their feud began after Strowman wasn’t included in last month’s Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship.

WrestleMania 37 is a two-night event that’s taking place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11. WWE hasn’t revealed which night Strowman vs. Shane will be taking place on. Here’s the updated lineup for the event:

WrestleMania 37 night one —

  • WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Drew McIntyre
  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks defends against Bianca Belair
  • Bad Bunny vs. The Miz

WrestleMania 37 night two —

  • Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Edge (Dave Meltzer has reported that Daniel Bryan will be added to this match, making it Reigns vs. Edge vs. Bryan in a triple threat match for the Universal Championship)
  • Raw Women’s Champion Asuka defends against Rhea Ripley
  • “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton

Night yet to be announced —

  • Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) defend against AJ Styles & Omos
  • Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon

Hulk Hogan and Titus O’Neil will be the hosts of WrestleMania 37.

WWE announces matches for WrestleMania 37 nights one and two

The lineups for WrestleMania 37 nights one and two are starting to take shape.

On Raw tonight, WWE announced three matches that will be taking place at WrestleMania 37 night one and three matches that will be taking place at night two. They are:

WrestleMania 37 night one (Saturday, April 10) —

  • WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Drew McIntyre
  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks defends against Bianca Belair
  • Bad Bunny vs. The Miz

WrestleMania 37 night two (Sunday, April 11) —

  • Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Edge
  • Raw Women’s Champion Asuka defends against Rhea Ripley
  • “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton

As a stipulation of McIntyre defeating Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander in a handicap match on Raw tonight, Alexander and Benjamin will be banned from ringside for Lashley vs. McIntyre at WrestleMania. Benjamin and Alexander are part of The Hurt Business with Lashley and MVP.

Dave Meltzer has reported that Daniel Bryan will be added to Reigns vs. Edge to make it a triple threat match for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania.

The Fiend vs. Orton is a new addition to the WrestleMania card. At Fastlane on Sunday night, The Fiend returned to WWE programming for the first time since losing a Firefly Inferno match to Orton three months ago. The Fiend cost Orton a match against Alexa Bliss at Fastlane. On Raw tonight, Orton poured gasoline on The Fiend and gave him an RKO. But after Orton was distracted by Bliss, The Fiend put Orton in the Mandible Claw and laid him out with Sister Abigail. Bliss then pointed to the WrestleMania sign.

The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) vs. AJ Styles & Omos for the Raw Tag Team titles and Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon are also set for WrestleMania. WWE hasn’t announced which night those matches will be taking place on.

WrestleMania 37 is being held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Hulk Hogan and Titus O’Neil will be the hosts for the event. It’s airing live on Peacock in the United States and will be live on the WWE Network everywhere else.

WWE taping WrestleMania go-home Raw, SmackDown episodes

As part of the process in moving the ThunderDome to a yet-to-be-disclosed location, WWE will be reportedly taping the WrestleMania week go-home editions of Raw and SmackDown before closing things down in Tampa, Florida.

POST Wrestling’s John Pollock reported that the Monday, April 5th edition of Raw will be filmed on Tuesday, March 30th while the Friday, April 9th SmackDown will be taped on Thursday, April 1st. Dave Meltzer confirmed the story as well.

Additionally, Pollock confirmed a Fightful report that this year’s Hall of Fame ceremony will also be taped over two days, also set for Tuesday, March 30th and Thursday, April 1st.

A Monday report from Spectrum Sports 360’s Jon Alba (also reported by Pollock and confirmed by Dave Meltzer) has WWE’s residency at Tropicana Field ending on Friday, April 2nd, due to the impending Major League Baseball season. The location they are moving to has yet to be announced, but Tampa’s Yuengling Center is said to be a front-runner.

WWE programming will be airing for potentially nine straight days leading up to WrestleMania starting with Raw, the Hall of Fame ceremony on Tuesday, NXT TakeOver on both Wednesday and Thursday, SmackDown Friday, WrestleMania 37 on both Saturday and Sunday, and Raw on the following Monday. If NXT does move to Tuesdays starting after WrestleMania, that would make nine straight days.