Daily Update: Anthem & ITV, Bully Ray’s ROH contract, Impact

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

NXT has a show tonight in Largo, FL. 

IMPACT WRESTLING ON POP TV

  • Adam Thornstowe & Luster the Legend vs. Bram & Eddie Kingston
  • Braxton Sutter vs. Marshe Rockett vs. DJZ vs. Caleb Konley
  • Garza Jr. & Laredo Kid vs. Eli Drake & Tyrus
  • Bobby Lashley vs. Alberto El Patron for Impact title

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 3/6/2017: Bad booking disappoints at WWE Fastlane

Goldberg is one of WWE’s top champions in 2017. That it was a formality doesn’t make the reality of that sentence any less startling. Nearly 20 years after his peak in WCW, and over a decade after his first stint with WWE came to an end, Goldberg is going to main event WrestleMania. All of that was locked in when Goldberg defeated Kevin Owens to win the WWE Universal Championship at Fastlane. Predictably, the main event was a wrestling match in name only. Goldberg won with a spear and a jackhammer in just over 20 seconds…

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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: March 13, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWE Fastlane review, Tomoaki Honma injury, plus tons of news

Updated the plans for WrestleMania, detail what happened with Tomoaki Honma and a progress update, features on Ron Bass, Rick Rude and Tom Jones, a major new WWE signing and future company plans all in the new double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Our lead story runs down WrestleMania, what is on, what is in limbo and where everyone fits in, plus a breakdown of the Fast Lane PPV with business notes, stories behind the matches, match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

Have a look back at the career of Ron Bass, his multitude of championships around the country, and why his career ended and post-wrestling.

There is a major feature on the 2016 Wrestling Observer awards, with a breakdown of winners, and notes about the different people in the major categories and compare and contrast them. Plus, discussion about the landslides and the close races and what made the difference.

This issue has a feature on the Hardys and Bully Ray in ROH, back-story of Hardys value on the independent market and where the different companies stand in the U.S. marketplace.

Take a look at the business of UFC 209, including Tony Ferguson’s pay when his fight was canceled, what was supposed to be a benefit to everyone that has backfired but nobody will say it, the judging of Wonderboy vs. Woodley, weight cutting, the welterweight position, as well as business notes on the show, match-by-match coverage and how much everyone was paid.

Examine Daniel Bryan possibly wrestling again, The Miz on promos, the Shane McMahon vs. A.J. Styles angle, notes on WWE talks with two of the best women wrestlers in the world, an update on the Jack Swagger situation, Dana Brooke competes in another sport, WWE Hall of Fame news, Jerry Lawler update, backstage when Dwayne Johnson was talking about C.M. Punk, this week’s Madison Square Garden show, Raw plans post-Mania, the most watched shows on the WWE Network, plus a look at all the arena matches over the past week with highlights and business notes. 

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: February 14, 2000, Vince McMahon announces the XFL, 1999 awards, more

Vince McMahon made sports and business headlines on 2/3 with the announcement of him starting his own professional football league called the XFL. McMahon, who failed in negotiations last year to buy the Canadian Football League, looks to be that league’s No. 1 rival for players not quite good enough for the NFL in his eight-team league scheduled to start in February 2001 with each team playing ten games and ending with championship playoffs in April… Subscribers click here to continue.

THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

It will likely be announced shortly that Anthem Entertainment and ITV have reached a deal. This was the deal Jeff Jarrett was working on as ITV wants a wrestling show for the U.K. but doesn’t want to run a wrestling promotion. So the two companies will be partnering in some form on a promotion.

Anthem Entertainment laid off several full-time staff members on The Fight Network yesterday. The most notable name was Robin Black, an excellent fight analyst.

ROH’s 5/12 show at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York will be a PPV featuring a lot of New Japan talent.

Bully Ray said that his ROH contract was for one year or longer.

There is a lot going on this weekend with the ROH PPV tomorrow night from Las Vegas as well as last year’s G-1 Climax debuting tomorrow night on AXS, the New Japan Cup starts this weekend with live shows on late Friday/Saturday and late Saturday/Sunday, UFC has an FS1 show from Fortaleza, Brazil on Saturday night. WWE also has a major Toronto house show with HHH wrestling and Finn Balor is scheduled to return tomorrow night in Buffalo.

WWE

  • There will be a closed-circuit airing of the NXT TakeOver show from Orlando on 4/1 in Melbourne, Australia at the Village Cinemas.
  • Dolph Ziggler has a comedy show called “BioDome” in Los Angeles tomorrow night at The Pack Theater.
  • An article on Shinsuke Nakamura is here.
  • Luke Harper talks his frustrations and trying to get a higher spot
  • An interview with Vickie Guerrero is here.

UFC/MMA

  • Frankie Edgar vs. Yair Rodriguez has been added to the 5/13 UFC 211 PPV from Dallas, TX, which is the show headlined by Stipe Miocic vs. Junior dos Santos.
  • Mackenzie Dern, the incredible submission specialist who has been fighting on AXS of late, has another fight tomorrow night and once again missed weight. She was scheduled for 115 pounds for a fight with Katherine Roy, this morning got it changed to 120, and didn’t make 120 until her second try.
  • Tickets go on sale to the public tomorrow for the UFC show on 4/15 in Kansas City at the Sprint Center which is a FOX show with TV fights of Demetrious Johnson vs. Wilson Reis for the flyweight title, Rose Namajunas vs. Michelle Waterson, Ronaldo Jacare Souza vs. Robert Whittaker, and Tim Elliott vs. Louis Smolka. All eight fighters on the main card are top 15 in their weight class. Tickets run from $200 down to $40.
  • Stevie Ray vs. Joe Lauzon was announced today for UFC’s 4/15 show in Nashville.
  • Jon Jones is no longer the richest member of his family. Defensive end Chandler Jones, his younger brother, agreed to terms for a five-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals for $83 million. Of that, $53 million is guaranteed money.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Tonight is the Impact reboot on Pop TV at 8 p.m., including burying former management and Alberto El Patron vs. Bobby Lashley. 
  • A correction from the new Observer. The Evolve show on 3/30 at 8 p.m. on FloSlam isn’t going head-to-head with the WWE Hall of Fame. The show is on Thursday night and going head-to-head with WaleMania.
  • Missy Hyatt is selling autographed photos and WCW trading cards for $13 to raise money for needed surgery for one of her dogs who was diagnosed with a stage 2 histamine in his leg. For more info you can contact her at mmilohyatt@gmail.com.
  • A promo piece on tomorrow night’s ROH PPV show is here.
  • AAW from Saturday night in LaSalle, IL before 385 fans: Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz b Mat Fitchett & Davey Vega, Jessicka Havok b Samantha Hughes, Ethan Page b Krugar (Adam Rose), CJ Esparza & Brett Gakiya won three-way over Ace Perry & Paco Gonzalez and Louis Lyndon & Stephen Wolf, AR Fox b JT Dunn, Brubaker b Arik Cannon, Kody Rice & Bucky Collins b Mike Hartenbower & Space Monkey, ACH b Dezmond Xavier to keep the AAW Heritage title, Sami Callihan b Rey Fenix to retain the AAW title. Next show is 3/17 in Berwyn, IL at the Eagles Club with Callihan defending against Low Ki, Trent ? & Chuck Taylor vs. Trevor Lee & Andrew Everett, Abyss vs. Homicide plus Zack Sabre Jr. and Drew Galloway.
  • A trailer for the new documentary “Meet me at the Lindell: The Story of America’s First Sports Bar” which debuts on 3/31 at Cinema Detroit. There are a few wrestling references in the trailer. The famed Lindell AC, at one point owned by Alex Karras, was the site of the famous 1962 brawl between Karras and Dick the Bruiser which was national news at the time and led to a match between the two of them at the Joe Louis Arena (which drew 8,000 fans, a disappointment). (thanks to Jake Koch)
  • Jim Ross will be doing a live chat on Friday night on Fite TV during the ROH PPV.
  • MCW Winter Blast on Saturday in Hollywood, MD at the Volunteer Fire Department featuring Ryback & The Bruiser & Jimmy Starz & Sexy Steve vs. Sean Studd & Jeremiah & Ray & Andy Vineberg.
  • GWNM on 4/30 in Hamilton, ONT at 241 Kenilworth, Avenue.
  • Great North Wrestling has Cage Wars on 5/13 in Smiths Falls, ONT at the Memorial Community Center with all cage matches headlined by Hannibal vs. Wes Brisco and Davey Boy Smith Jr vs. Jeremy Prophet.
  • Superkick’d on 3/17 in Toronto at the Great Hall’s Longboat Hall.
  • Acclaim Pro Wrestling on 4/15 in Ottawa at the SPK Dom Polski Polish Combatants Centre.
  • ECWA on Sunday in Woodbury Heights, NJ at the Community Center. Show time is 2 p.m.
  • UPW on Saturday in Rochester, NY at the Eagles Club at 6 p.m.
  • CHIKARA from Sunday in Enfield, CT before 150 fans: Hemit Crab b Dasher Hatfield, Merlock b Fire Ant, Mr Azerbaijan & Jeremy Leary & Wani b Mark Angelosetti & Officer Warren Barksdale & Officer Bruno Meloni, Juan Francisco de Coronado b Lucas Calhoun, Cajun Crawdad & Cornelius Crummels & Sonny DeFrage & Rock Lobster b Travis Huckabee & El Hijo del Ice Cream & Ice Cream Jr. & Solo Darling, Ultramantis Black b Max Smashmaster, Donald Kluger & Jasper Tippins b Razerhawk & Sylverhawk. Next show is 3/31 in Orlando with Ultramantis Black vs. Grado
  • Blitzkrieg Pro Wrestling on Sunday in Enfield, CT before 80 fans: CPA & Francis Kip Stevens b J George & Ryan Malice, Johnny Idol & Marshall McNeil & Troy Nelson & Mark Sterling b Zachary Pierre Beaulieu & Johnny Miyagi & Jason Sinclair & Isiah Wolf, Scotty Wilde b Anthony Greene, Sasha Jenkins won six-way over Ken Broadway, Josh Briggs, Foxx Vinyer, Biggs, Marc Hauss, Robbie E and Maxwell Jacob Feinstein, Isaiah Rex b Narciso Rex, Jeremy Leary & Logan Black & Rude Boy Riley b Orange Cassidy & Swamp Monster & Chuck Taylor, Donovan Dijak b Chuck O’Neil, Skylar b Veda Scott, Flex Rumblecrunch b Hammer Tunis. Next show is 3/25 in Enfield, CT with Cody Rhodes vs Dijak, Joey Janela vs Chuck O’Neil plus Shannon Moore.
  • Absolute Intense Wrestling Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Cleveland with Shayna Baszler vs. Allysin Kay for the AIW title, Britt Baker vs. Rebel, Sonya Strong vs. Lufisto, Angeldust vs. Shotzi Blackheart, Veda Scott vs. Penelope Ford, Ray Lyn vs. Faye Jackson and a few other matches. Rebel will replace Gail Kim, who hasn’t been wrestling due to a back injury. Kim will be appearing at the show. Kim is expected to be able to wrestle in a few weeks.
  • Smash Wrestling on 3/26 in London, ONT at the London Music Hall with Tyler Tirva vs Tyson Dux vs. Cody Deaner, Braxton Sutter vs. Davey Richards, Colt Cabana vs. Scotty O’Shea, Rosemary vs. KC Spinelli and more. Angelina Love will be doing a meet and greet.
  • Bellator has named Ryan Grab, who formerly worked for UFC from 2010 to 2015, as its Senior Director of Communications and Athlete Strategy. He went from UFC to the Phoenix International Raceway to Bellator. 
  • Independence Pro on 3/17 in Moosic, PA at the Youth Center with Matt Cross vs. Lio Rush an Matt Tremont vs. Rickey Shane Page.
  • Deathproof on Saturday in Hamilton, ONT at the Christopher Banquet Hall.
  • A promotion called Welterweight Wrestling is doing an under 185 pound tournament on iPPV on 5/7 from Turner Hall in Cleveland. Among the names announced are Sammy Guevara, Kevin Bennett, Ace Perry, Gory and Sonny Vice.
  • Angela Lee vs. Jenny Huang headline for One on Saturday in Bangkok, Thailand. for the One Atomweight title.
  • Moose defends the Impact Grand Championship on 3/26 in Mississauga, ONT in a cage match against Josh Alexander.
  • War Machine was sent a gift by a woman while on trial for beating his ex-girlfriend.
  • An article on the Mount Rushmore of pro wrestling is here. (thanks to Chris Cruise)

F4W / WO EMPIRE WRESTLEMANIA GROUP INFO

BUS INFO:

  • The Empire bus to WrestleMania will cost $50.00 and will be round trip from Rosen Inn at 9000 International Drive 32819 (a few blocks away from Wrestlcon). THERE ARE ONLY 5 SEATS LEFT!
  • The bus will leave at 3:30pm (time subject to change) for WrestleMania and will leave WrestleMania no later then one hour after the show. If you would like a seat email Ed at f4wfan@hotmail.com or message him on the BOARD~! for Paypal payment instructions.

DINNER INFO:

  • WHAT: Dinner at Texas de Brazil
  • WHEN: Friday March 31st
  • WHERE: 5259 International Dr Ste F1, Orlando, FL 32819 at 5 p.m. (they may open at 4:30 for us)
  • WHO: All your best empire buddies, including BIG DAVE MELTZER
  • DETAILS: The cost of the dinner will be $68.00 which includes the dinner, salad bar, soft drinks and tea, and dessert, tax and tip. This is a pre pay dinner and you can send payment to paypal at Srjaialaiot@yahoo.com (please send as a gift to a friend). Payments must be made by March 24th (if you wait until after that, Ed will charge an extra $5.00 for being a pain).

Pro Wrestling Tees is now carrying our latest line of F4W shirts. Support the Empire~! Grab yours today!

CONTACT INFORMATION

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