Daily Update: 205 Live, Ric Flair, Cormier reveals text from Rollins

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Hogan takes first step towards WWE return

Nearly three years after being fired from the company, Hulk Hogan’s return to WWE took a major step forward on Sunday. After Hogan was spotted flying into Cleveland — which was apparently a failed attempt to avoid him being seen coming to Pittsburgh, where WWE’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view was being held — WWE announced on Sunday afternoon that Hogan had been reinstated into their Hall of Fame.

WON NEWSLETTER: (July 16, 2018) Daniel Cormier/Brock Lesnar fallout from UFC 226

Daniel Cormier and Brock Lesnar and details behind their proposed fight as well as how this relates to Lesnar in WWE is the lead story in the current issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The issue also covers the G-1 Special at the Cow Palace as well as G-1 notes for week one.

Look at why Cormier’s win of the heavyweight title is very different from his light heavyweight win, the arguments about the greatest MMA fighter of all-time and others in that discussion, as well as the drug testing issue, the Cormier-Lesnar angle, and the earliest date Cormier vs. Lesnar can take place.

Have a more in-depth look at how the WWE and UFC television deals went down.

Read about the WWE stock price, how this complicates talks of a sale of the company, and current market value.

Get the update on a lot of WWE injuries and returns, Dwayne Johnson and the presidency, Ronda Rousey advertising, Paul Heyman being at Raw last week and why he was there, wrestling becoming part of Kane’s Mayoral race, changes in the 2018 PPV schedule, and a second Jim Ross autobiography.

Read about the New Japan Cow Palace show, looking at the injuries to Hiromu Takahashi and Jim Ross with updates, thoughts on New Japan injuries, neck problems from the past and in other companies, why the injury probably took place, and what happened after the show with Jim Ross.

This issue has full coverage of UFC 226, with business notes, early PPV numbers, poll results and match-by-match coverage.

Read the updated thoughts on Extreme Rules.

Get in-depth information on the Enzo Amore situation after the police investigation ended.

Look at WWE’s biggest U.S. house show of the year so far in Madison Square Garden featuring Undertaker and Ronda Rousey.

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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • NXT’s last set of television tapings before TakeOver: Brooklyn are taking place at Full Sail University tonight. UFC fighter Cain Velasquez is in attendance at Full Sail.
  • Drew Gulak vs. Hideo Itami vs. TJP vs. Mustafa Ali in a number one contender’s fatal four-way match has been announced for next week’s 205 Live. The winner will become the next challenger for Cedric Alexander’s Cruiserweight Championship.
  • Ric Flair tweeted that he’s up and running after undergoing surgery last week to eliminate the need for a colostomy bag: “Thank You To All The Staff At Gwinnett Medical Center For The Excellent Care During My Stay! I Was So Lucky To Be In The Hands Of An Amazing Surgeon, Dr. James Elsey. Truly Grateful For Everything! The Naitch Is Back Up And Runnin’! @GwinnettMedical”
  • Roman Reigns, Charlotte Flair, Mickie James, and Lana are attending tonight’s ESPN ESPY Awards.
  • WWE was honored with the League Humanitarian Leadership Award at ESPN’s Sports Humanitarian Awards last night.
  • Daniel Cormier told Instinct Culture at the Sports Humanitarian Awards that Seth Rollins texted him “Congratulations, now go kick Brock’s ass” after UFC 226. Cormier said he’s friends with Rollins, and Cormier famously celebrated in the crowd when Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase to win the WWE title at WrestleMania 31.
  • During an interview with ESPN, Cormier joked that he’ll win the Universal title from Brock Lesnar.
  • When asked about potentially wrestling in WWE, Travis Browne said he’s under contract with the UFC but would never say no to the possibility of wrestling. He said he’d love to work with Ronda Rousey and would want to be in a tag team with her. Browne is Rousey’s husband and said he’s never seen her happier than she is now.
  • Our Bryan Alvarez tweeted an update about Hulk Hogan’s apology to the WWE locker room at Extreme Rules: “Had a WWE source vehemently deny that there were any cameras present when Hulk Hogan apologized to the locker room.”
  • PWInsider reported that Kane suffered an Achilles tendon injury on the last episode of SmackDown before Extreme Rules and that he isn’t expected to be back on TV any time soon. With his mayoral campaign, it was expected that would be the case when Team Hell No’s program with The Bludgeon Brothers was over.
  • The Sporting News interviewed Deonna Purrazzo about signing with WWE and being in this year’s Mae Young Classic.
  • Daniel Bryan defeated The Miz in last night’s post-SmackDown and 205 Live dark match. The Usos also defeated Cesaro & Sheamus in a dark match before SmackDown.

Pro Wrestling

UFC/MMA

Daily Professional Wrestling History: WCW Beach Blast 1993

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 Granny’s 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