Daily Update: 205 Live, Maria Kanellis, ROH Honor Re-United tour

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS
- ‘Black Saturday’ reportedly being added to WWE Network tomorrow
- ROH TV results: Cody vs. Titan, Bully Ray vs. Cheeseburger
- Fandango, Goldust both undergo successful surgery
- Kaitlyn returning to WWE for this year’s Mae Young Classic
- Hiromu Takahashi returns to Japan, will proceed with treatment
- WWE SmackDown video highlights: Final build to Extreme Rules
- WWE 205 Live results: Alexander vs. Itami title match
- Shark cage stipulation set for Carmella-Asuka at Extreme Rules
- WWE SmackDown live results: AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
THE LATEST AUDIO
- WOL: Raw ratings, SmackDown, MYC, Hiromu, 350 Days doc 7/11
- Big Audio Nightmare: The 2018 G1 Climax prediction show 7/11
- Left My Wallet: Matt Striker and remembering Matt Cappotelli 7/11
- B&V&C: Retro Raw and Nitro from 19 years ago this week! 7/10
F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Brock Lesnar appears at UFC 226
Brock Lesnar made an in-person appearance and took part in his first pro wrestling angle since April this past Saturday night — it just wasn’t at a WWE show. While the Raw roster, with The Undertaker and Ronda Rousey as the special attractions, were at Madison Square Garden for a house show, Lesnar was at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas setting up his return to mixed martial arts.
WON NEWSLETTER: (July 9, 2018): Death of Matt Cappotelli
A look at the life and brief wrestling career of Matt Cappotelli is the lead item in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Learn in this story why Cappotelli, who only had 37 matches in the WWE in his career, was so well liked by the people who knew him best. Find out about his battles with cancer, how fate got in the way of three different WWE startups and the plan for him to win a championship immediately after his call-up.
Look at the back story behind his interview after he learned he had cancer, his second battle with cancer, the Bob Holly situation and what could have been with the angle, his grudge match with Holly in OVW, plans for him in WWE and more.
Read more on Oscar De La Hoya and his MMA plans for Tito Ortiz vs. Chuck Liddell and the money deal and business involved.
Find out about Max Holloway being pulled from this week’s UFC show.
This issue has full coverage of the ROH Best in the World PPV as well as Jay Lethal’s ROH title win, including star ratings and poll results.
WWE’s Extreme Rules is updated.
Read more about the Leslie Smith case and how this could affect pro wrestling and MMA going forward and which companies it likely will and won’t affect.
Coverage of WWE’s return to Japan this past week is in this issue.
There are notes on a Daniel Bryan interview, a show during SummerSlam week, as well as a list of talent at the recent WWE tryouts and their backgrounds. Look at a new WWE Network special, next week’s TV, and the most-watched shows on the WWE Network this past week. Also, Seth Rollins talks the Shield reunion that never seems to happen.
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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE
- Lio Rush vs. Akira Tozawa and TJP vs. Noam Dar have been announced for next week’s 205 Live. Tozawa has been Rush’s first feud on the show. Dar returned to 205 Live last week and quickly defeated TJP.
- Maria Kanellis hyped on Instagram that she’s getting ready to return after giving birth in April. She wrote that “A Superstar is when a talent meets WWE TV time” and that she’ll be going down to Florida in August to prepare for her return and to fight for that TV time.
- Samoa Joe vs. Tye Dillinger, which was originally announced for last night’s SmackDown, was canceled as part of an angle where Joe attacked him on the entrance ramp before the show started.
- Today is TJ Wilson’s (Tyson Kidd) 38th birthday. Natalya wished him a happy birthday on Twitter: “Happy birthday @TJWilson! You’re such an inspiration to so many people. The best is seeing you happy and proving that we can succeed at anything we put our minds to. We all love you!”
- Pro Wrestling Sheet reported that, though it isn’t set in stone, WWE has discussed an all-women’s event for late September or October.
- Today is the fifth anniversary of the opening of the WWE Performance Center.
- The September 4 episode of SmackDown will be taking place at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Though that’s right after Daniel Bryan’s contract expires, AJ Styles, Bryan & Jeff Hardy vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, The Miz & Samoa Joe is advertised. (thanks to Jake Koch)
- Rusev told ESPN.com that holding the World title is something that’s on his bucket list and that “it’s about damn time” he got a title shot.
- Sheamus spoke to the Canton Repository to promote Saturday’s house show in the city. r.”
- WWE released a “Shut up, Saxton” T-shirt for Corey Graves.
Pro Wrestling
- Kay Lee Ray will make her Women of Honor debut in her home country of Scotland as ROH comes to Edinburgh on August 16. Viper has also been announced for the show, which is part of ROH’s Honor Re-United tour.
- The Young Bucks & Marty Scurll vs. The Briscoes & Punishment Martinez is also set for ROH’s show in Edinburgh.
- Christopher Daniels has been announced for the eight-man International Cup tournament on the Honor Re-United tour, joining Jimmy Havoc, Joe Hendry, Mark Haskins, Kip Sabian, and Jonathan Gresham. The winner will challenge for the ROH World Championship in London on August 19.
- Chuck Taylor will face Bully Ray at ROH’s Honor for All show in Nashville on July 20.
- Dragon Lee said that Hiromu Takahashi is in his prayers, that he hopes Takahashi returns, and that he feels bad about what happened in their match. He said he loves wrestling against Takahashi and that their matches are the best and most beautiful he’s had in his career.
- Kota Ibushi did an in-character interview with Tokyo Sports ahead of the G1.
- Today marks 13 years since the death of Shinya Hashimoto. Steve Corino wrote a post on Facebook reflecting on his memories of him.
- Tenille Dashwood spoke to the Illawarra Mercury in Australia about her career since leaving WWE. She said she’s probably busier than she was before and that her journey has made her feel “energized and alive again” in her career.
- Josh Barnett discussed pro wrestling and doing commentary for NJPW at the beginning of his appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience this week. Barnett also said he figures he’ll get back into MMA by the start of next year because it will take some time to set up camps and other logistics. (thanks to Chris Aiken)
- MLW has added Barrington Hughes vs. Leon Scott and a Simon Gotch Prize Fight Challenge to their TV tapings in Orlando tomorrow.
- JJ Dillon and Lanny Poffo did interviews to promote the “350 Days” documentary.
UFC/MMA
- Daniel Cormier appeared on Conan last night and discussed breaking the “curse” of fighters losing after they go on the show.
- Cormier said he felt faster at heavyweight than he did at light heavyweight and that not having to go through the weight-cut made everything better.
- Brian Ortega said he’s yet to be compensated for his fight against Max Holloway at UFC 226 falling through, but Dana White said they’d talk again this week and “figure things out.”
- Greg Hardy will return to Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series when he faces Tebaris Gordon on August 7. Hardy received a contract after winning his first fight on the show, but it was noted that he wouldn’t immediately fight in the UFC.
- Khabib Nurmagomedov mentioned fighting the winner of Eddie Alvarez vs. Dustin Poirier next if he isn’t able to face Conor McGregor or Georges St-Pierre.
- Corey Anderson will fill in for the injured Ilir Latifi as he faces Glover Teixeira at UFC’s Fight Night show in Hamburg, Germany on July 22.
Daily Professional Wrestling History: Lex Luger wins NWA United States title
12th Annual F4W Empire Vegas Convention
Greetings friends and fans of the F4W / Wrestling Observer website. It’s time to announce the details of the 12th annual F4W / Wrestling Observer Empire Las Vegas Convention~!
This year’s event will be taking place in Las Vegas from August 16th to the 20th and will again be in conjunction with WWE’s SummerSlam weekend a.k.a. Super China Buffet Day~! There will still be the usual events, but our big draw will be WWE’s summer blockbuster PPV, SummerSlam. As per tradition, we will all gorge ourselves at a Las Vegas buffet, and then watch SummerSlam in a rented out movie theater. All information and ticketing prices are available now. Sign up ASAP as spots are limited for some events.
This year will also feature a Future Stars Wrestling show which will include the first ever Gladys Gibson Doubles Match Classic! Already booked for the show are the teams Mia Yim & Leva Bates, Shotzi Blackheart & ???, Samantha Heights & Brittany Blake, and Miranda Alize & Kylie Rae. Also appearing will be Kris Wolf along with many more future stars. There may even be a classic star or two making an appearance. You won’t want to miss this show! Check out the convention’s Facebook page for all additional information.
CONTACT INFORMATION
- Poll opinions: dave@wrestlingobserver.com
- Feedback: feedback@wrestlingobserver.com
- Show results and news tips: newstips@wrestlingobserver.com
- Wrestling Observer Radio questions: mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com
- Support the Empire~! with F4W shirts. Grab yours today!