Daily Update: Anderson Silva, Impact, McIntyre in ICW HOF

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

We’re looking for reports tonight from the NXT TV tapings at Center Stage in Atlanta and from 5 Star Wrestling in Liverpool, England. 

IMPACT AT 8 P.M. EASTERN TONIGHT ON POP TV

  • Bobby Lashley vs. KM
  • Moose & Johnny Impact vs. Alberto El Patron & Ethan Carter III
  • Kiera Hogan vs. Laurel Van Ness
  • Eli Drake vs. Austin Aries for Impact title

​F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Rousey’s arrival highlights big Royal Rumble Weekend

The most newsworthy week in recent WWE history capped off with Ronda Rousey appearing at the end of the Royal Rumble on Sunday night. Instead of participating in the women’s Royal Rumble match itself, Rousey closed the show with an appearance that initially did little to reveal what’s next for her in WWE. She came out to “Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett, her old UFC walkout song, while wearing one of Roddy Piper’s leather jackets. 

WON NEWSLETTER: January 29, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Enzo Amore rape allegations, WWE Raw 25, plus tons of news

The most detailed coverage of the Enzo Amore allegations and firing is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer. Look at all sides of the story, from the allegations by Philomena Sheahan, details of who was in the room, why WWE was so quick to fire him, her claims, claims of people who know her, what is in the text message, the problem with the police investigation, what is next for 205 Live and plans that have been scrapped.

Also have a look at the WWE this week, including Raw 25, angles on the show, WrestleMania current plans, future of Brock Lesnar, Royal Rumble, the Takeover special, what audience flocked to Raw that usually doesn’t, how Raw viewer patterns have changed since the last similar special, what age group nearly doubled from last week, and how the gender split changed.

Read about the history of Raw, why it was moved quickly from the Manhattan Center, the move to two hours, how close the show came to being canceled and why it wasn’t, when the show started making the company significant money, how Raw and Vince McMahon in 2005 were responsible for the start of a major sports franchise, the story of Raw going to Spike and back to USA, and what are really the longest lasting wrestling shows in U.S. television history.

Full coverage of Raw 25 inside this issue.

Check out the Podcastone situation and why people are leaving, more on the 2019 Royal Rumble plans, more on WWE stock and the move being made for a cheap WWE Network sub and the reason, George Barrios says strange things about WWE talent contracts, Hogan talks Bullet Club and the smoke to that fire, Cena movie gets Academy Award nomination, Cena up for lead for another movie, success of Dwayne Johnson’s current movie, funny quotes from Michaels & HHH about Goldberg being a Hall of Famer from a few years ago, and more WWE injuries. 

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 Dave Meltzer, or by using PayPal directing funds to Dave@WrestlingObserver.com. 

Rates in the United States are $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com. For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52. If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.)

If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can choose one free classic issue, or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.

WON BACK ISSUE: January 15, 2001 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2000 Year End Awards, final ECW PPV reviewed, plus tons of news

In what may have been the swan song of the promotion, ECW promised a “holy shit” surprise, which prompted debates over methods of promotion today as well as if there is any future left with the company in the wake of losing its New York television, cancelling next month’s PPV and not even producing a new TV show in the go-home week before a PPV show.

THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

It has been reported in Brazil, and now the U.S., that when Anderson Silva tested positive this past fall before a scheduled fight with Kelvin Gastelum, that the drugs he failed for were methyltestosterone and a diuretic. As a second positive, for two substances one of which is testosterone, I can’t see how they couldn’t suspend him for four years, which would end his career.

The first Impact show of the new regime will be airing tonight on Pop TV.

Kazushi Sakuraba and Josh Barnett have announced a new promotion that will debut on 4/11 called Quintet, and they’ve booked Sumo Hall in Tokyo for the first show. It will be a team competition with five member teams, with survival rules. It will be singles matches and the winner advances to the next match against a new member of the other team. The matches are ten minutes and matches can only end via submission. The first show will air live on AmebaTV.

ICW announced today that Drew Galloway aka Drew McIntyre will be on their 2/12 show in Glasgow at the O2 ABC and be induced into the ICW Hall of Fame. WWE has given its approval for him to make that appearance.

Austin Aries vs. ACH has been added to next Thursday’s MLW show in Orlando at Gilt Night Club.

Dwayne Johnson in an Instagram post talked about saving his mother from a suicide attempt 30 years ago, when he was 15 and they lived in Nashville. He said his mother, Ata Johnson, who is in the front row at tons of WWE events, got out of the car and walked into oncoming traffic. He said he saved her life and pulled her to the side of the road. He also says that his mother has no recollection that any of this ever happened.

WWE

  • A lot of episodes of WCW Saturday Night will be added to the WWE Network in April.
  • The Forbes website edited an article that stated that Raw was the longest running episodic show in U.S. television history after running it and has changed it to being the longest running weekly episodic show still in production.
  • Jimmy Fallon said that when Dwayne Johnson is on the show on Sunday night they will debut the trailer for his movie “Skyscraper,” which comes out on 7/13. Johnson also has the movie “Rampage,” based on the video game, coming out on 4/20. (thanks to Jake Koch) 
  • ECW Press announced that a book called “Creating the Mania: An Inside look at how WrestleMania comes to life” about the build to this year’s show will be released in August.

UFC

  • UFC announced today a 4/21 show in Atlantic City.
  • Mark Hunt hates steroid users and talks about it on Submission Radio: “I’m the best fighter in the world. I ain’t no freakin’ steroid-user, that’s for sure. Remember that. This is all about hard work. To get to the top here, it’s all about hard work, not cheating.These guys have gotta get it right.”

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Ed Nordholm, Don Callis and Scott D’Amore of Impact are in the U.K. doing business and scouting talent for Impact. 
  • The NWA announced today that Nick Aldis is looking at defending the NWA title against 20 different opponents over 60 days starting on 2/11. They are calling it the Aldis Crusade with Ten Pounds of Gold. He’s looking at defending the title in North America, Europe and Asia. The matches will be filmed for a documentary. Austin Idol will be involved in this as well as his representative. For more info you can email NWAWrestlingSocial@gmail.com.
  • Defy Wrestling tomorrow night in Seattle at Washington Hall with Shane Strickland vs. Matt Sydal in a first-time ever match, plus ACH vs. Brody King, Joey Janela vs. Randy Myers, Nicole Matthews vs. Hawlee Layne and more. There will be an Observer/Figure Four meet up at the event.
  • Larry Dallas has joined up with MLW and will start on their talk show next week.
  • Evolve on 2/17 in Queens, NY has Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Austin Theory for the Evolve title, Keith Lee vs. AR Fox for the WWN title and Chris Dickinson & Jake vs. The End. 2/18 in Joppa, MD has Lee vs. Tracy Williams in a no holds barred non-title match, Sabre Jr. vs. Dickinson and a four-way elimination match with Matt Riddle vs. Austin Theory vs. Darby Allin vs. Jaka.
  • A new Evolve Catch Point video.
  • A story on Zack Gibson promoting today’s 5 Star Wrestling show in Liverpool.
  • Bud Carson closed the doors on his museum/superstore in Allentown, PA last Sunday. The Wrestling Estate was there to chat with Bud and his team, talk with customers and take some pics of all the memorabilia.
  • Pro Wrestling Phoenix tonight in Omaha at the Waiting Room Lounge.
  • Jake Hager (Jack Swagger) won the Pennsylvania Premiere Wrestling heavyweight title beating Mike Orlando.
  • Alpha 1 Wrestling on 2/3 in Oshawa, ONT at the Polish Hall. They also run 2/18 in Hamilton, ONT and 4/15 in Hamilton, ONT.
  • Uprising on 2/24 in Fort Erie, ONT at the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre.
  • Pro Wrestling Eclipse on 2/10 in Oshawa, ONT at the Legion with Phil Atlas and Tyson Dux.
  • Britt Baker is available for bookings through Bill Behrens at showbis@aol.com. She is based in Pittsburgh. Also available is D-Von Dudley for autograph shows or appearances although they have to be approved by WWE. He is based in Orlando. Others available through Behrens include Jim Ross, Matt Sydal, Sean Waltman, Glacier, Flip Gordon, Kevin Nash, Moose, Stevie Richards, Rick Steiner, Scott Hall, DDP, Shane Helms, Mike Posey, Slim J, Delirious and for outside the U.S. and Ontario are Young Bucks, Jay Lethal, Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian.
  • Cage Wars 2 on 5/12 in Brockville, ONT at the Brockville Memorial Centre with Hannibal vs. Haku and Laurel Van Ness vs. Lady Yasmine.
  • FIP on Friday night from Ybor City, FL headlined by Austin Theory vs. Martin Stone for the FIP title and Joe Davis vs. Darby Allin.
  • NCW on 2/10 in Ste Therese, Quebec at the Centre Culturel et Communautaire Sainte-Therese.
  • All Star Wrestling presents Midget Wrestling Warriors on 3/24 in Surrey, BC at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds and on 3/23 in Chilliwack, BC at the Tzeachten Hall with Octagoncito, Short Sleeve Sampson and Mascarita Divina.
  • AWS in South Gate, CA (the night before New Japan) on 3/24 has Tyler Bateman vs. Jeff Cobb, Nicole Savoy vs. Delilah Doom, Jessicka Havok vs. Raze, Shotzi Blackheart vs. Hania, B-Boy vs. Adam Thornstowe, Jake Atlas vs. Funnybone and more.
  • Santino Brothers Wrestling on 2/2 in Bell Gardens, CA with Douglas James vs. Tyler Bateman and Eli Everfly & Delilah Doom vs. Los Luchas.
  • 559 Fights tomorrow night in Visalia, CA at the Visalia Convention Center and on Flo Combat features Chris Avalos (3-0) vs Yuni Valencia (5-2) for the 559 welterweight title. There is also a California state bantamweight title fight with Isaiah Rocha (3-0) vs. David Solorzano (2-4) and 12 other matches, starting at 7 p.m. Pacific time.
  • Awesome Wrestling Entertainment on 2/24 in Waynesboro, VA at the High School Gym features the Night of the Four Horsemen and is now sold out with no local advertising with 1,500 tickets sold. Appearing at the show are Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Lex Luger, Ricky Morton, Robert Gibson, Simon Gotch, Teddy Long, Road Warrior Animal, The Barbarian, Erik Watts, Nikita Koloff, Tracy Smothers, Bill Apter, C.W. Anderson, and more.
  • The biggest college wrestling dual meet of the season, Penn State vs. Ohio State, battling for No. 1, will be airing on the Big 10 Network Saturday night live. It will feature a number of the wrestlers who are expected to be finalists and NCAA champions.
  • An IWA Mid South show will stream live tonight at 7:35 p.m. Eastern time at Powerbomb.tv.

Today in Professional Wrestling History: Suzuki & Takayama win IWGP Tag Team titles

WRESTLING OBSERVER / F4W – WRESTLEMANIA 34 in NEW ORLEANS

Here we go again! It’s back to New Orleans for Wrestlemania 34 and a huge weekend of spectacular professional wrestling related fun and wackiness. EdinSanAntonio Productions along with the Wrestling Observer / Figure Four Empire~! is proud to present the annual Wrestlemania weekend trip details. This huge weekend includes a number of website “members only” events. Below are the two events currently scheduled. Click here for full event details.

WOR Podcast Taping:Purchase TICKETS for the Wrestling Observer Radio LIVE MAILBAG~!

  • WHAT: Wrestling Observer Radio LIVE Podcast Recording with Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez
  • WHEN: Friday, April 6th, 2018 – 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Doors open at 8:45 a.m. for VIP ticket holders and at 9:15 a.m. for general admission)
  • WHERE: The Bourbon Room, Royal St. Charles Hotel in downtown New Orleans; 135 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130

WO/F4W Brunch:Purchase TICKETS for the Wrestling Oberver BRUNCH~!

  • WHAT: All you care to eat brunch buffet on the morning of Wrestlemania 
  • WHEN: Sunday, April 8th, 2018 – T11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • WHERE: The Court of Two Sisters restaurant in downtown New Orleans; 613 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70130

CONTACT INFORMATION

Support the Empire~! with F4W shirts. Grab yours today!

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