Daily Update: Ashley Massaro, Ric Flair, AJ Styles

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Goldberg vs. Undertaker set for WWE’s return to Saudi Arabia

With less than a month until the show, WWE has revealed the name and announced the first three matches for their return to Saudi Arabia.

The third show in WWE’s controversy-filled 10-year deal with the Saudi General Sports Authority will take place at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on Friday, June 7. It will air live on the WWE Network and is titled “WWE Super ShowDown,” which is the same name the company used for their event in Melbourne, Australia last October.

WON NEWSLETTER: May 20, 2019 Observer Newsletter: AEW announces TV deal with TNT

A look at the new AEW television deal with TNT and other aspects of starting up is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Look at the detail of the two nights being considered and the arguments for each night, international television, streaming, why the price is what it is, and how long talks have been going on for the TNT deal.

Read a lengthy bio on Silver King, a breakdown of what happened in the ring when he passed away and what lessons can be learned by it. Look at the start of his career, and his going to All Japan as a teenager.

Read the updates on the next two WWE PPV shows.

Read a detailed article on Lars Sullivan, from his background, to his fine, to the questions asked, to what got him in trouble, why he was fined now, why he wasn’t before and a lot of the questions regarding all this.

Also look at changes to WWE Network, Vince McMahon talks the move to FOX, WWE gets award nominations, tons of new news on the XFL, what happens to Vince McMahon when the XFL starts, why Percy Watson left the company, and an update on the Mauro Ranallo’s situation.

Have a look at the legend of Tom Magee, the match with Bret Hart and the WWE documentary.

Read complete coverage of UFC 237 with match-by-match coverage and poll results.

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@wrestlingobserver.com or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

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.

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

Additional notes by Joseph Currier

WWE

  • TMZ reported that Ashley Massaro’s death was the result of an apparent suicide by hanging. Massaro was found unconscious in her home last Thursday and was transported to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
  • SmackDown tonight is at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The New Day will reunite as there will be a Welcome Back Celebration for Big E, who is back from meniscus surgery. Roman Reigns will also face Elias in a rematch from Money in the Bank. Other matches include Kofi Kingston vs. Sami Zayn in a non-title match, Becky Lynch and Bayley (who will also be interviewed) vs. Charlotte and Lacey Evans and Mandy Rose vs. Carmella.
  • Tonight’s 205 Live main event is Ariya Daivari vs. Mike Kanellis vs. Oney Lorcan vs. Brian Kendrick vs. Akira Tozawa.
  • Starrcast has begun the refund process for the events Ric Flair was supposed to take part in this weekend. Conrad Thompson spoke to Sports Illustrated about the situation: “We exhausted all options and mutually decided that it would be best to postpone ‘The Roast of Ric Flair’ for a later date yet to be determined. Everyone who purchased a meet-and-greet with Ric will be refunded via EventBrite. We will work to make sure those are completed by the end of the week. The rest of the Horsemen and Ricky Steamboat, who had meet-and-greets with Ric, are still scheduled to appear. We will allow fans the chance to have their photo made against what looks like old TBS backdrop wearing an authentic Ric Flair robe, holding the original Big Gold Belt, and posing with the Horsemen.”
  • SCWPro tweeted that they’ve been told Flair’s appearance at their debut show in East Moline, Illinois on May 31 is still on: “We’ve been in constant contact w/ representatives for @RicFlairNatrBoy & we’re happy to announce that we’ve been told his appearance at our debut event at the Rust Belt on May 31st is STILL ON!”
  • AJ Styles told Newsweek about the contract that he recently signed with WWE: “I can tell you that this contract that I’ve signed is my last. This is the perfect place for me to be. It’s family-oriented, I have no problem taking my family to the shows. It’s a PG product, which I enjoy. I’m in the best place I can be for my career.”

Pro Wrestling

  • A trailer for The Wrestlers, a documentary series from Vice Canada that will start airing this Wednesday on Viceland.
  • Beth Phoenix, Bruno Sammartino, Thunderbolt Patterson, Sgt. Slaughter, Brian Shields and Daniel Cormier will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, which will be held on July 25-27.
  • Riki Choshu’s retirement show, which will air live on Samurai TV and theaters in Japan on 6/26, has the following card:
    Riki Choshu, Shiro Koshinaka and Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tatsumi Fujinami, Keiji Mutoh and Togi Makabe
    Kaito Kiyomiya and Shuhei Taniguchi vs. Katsuhiko Nakajimia and Hitoshi Kumano
    Minoru Tanaka and Hiroyoshi Kotsubo vs. Yoshitatsu and Yuki Ueno
    NOSAWA, MAZADA and FUJITA vs. Dick Togo, Kaz Hayashi and MEN’S Teioh
    Daisuke Sekimoto and Daichi Hashimoto vs. Masa Kitamiya and Yoshiki Inamura
    Takashi Sasaki, Toyu Sugiura and Ayato Yoshida vs. Jun Kasai, Shu Asakawa and Tomoya Hirata
  • Joey Janela’s Spring Break 4 will take place on April 3, 2020 at 8 p.m. Eastern time. That’s the Friday of WrestleMania week.
  • This week’s MLW Fusion episode is now available on YouTube. It features Rich Swann vs. Brian Pillman Jr. in the National Openweight Championship tournament semifinals, Minoru Tanaka vs. Daga, and Mance Warner & Sami Callihan vs. El Hijo de LA Park & Ricky Martinez.

UFC/MMA

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Jinder Mahal wins WWE title

F4W Empire Convention Info:

  • Ed in San Antonio presents PODER~! at the FSW arena on Friday 5/24 – Showtime is at noon – Main event: Bryan Alvarez vs. Logan Stunt
  • Empire dinner on Friday 5/24 at 8:30 p.m. at Texas de Brazil – Price is $82 – All you can eat meat and salad, sodas, tea, and coffee, plus dessert included
  • Empire suite party on Friday 5/24 for those who were not able to get the Q&A package – Price is $25

Purchase tickets here. 

[Advertisement]  You can watch a discussion with Cody & the Bucks about All Elite Wrestling and twenty other shows for just $59 at STARRCASTonFITE.com. The package includes the live feed plus on demand with unlimited replays on any smart device, PC, etc. For the best service pre-ordering is encouraged at STARRCASTonFITE.com.

Cody & the Young Bucks will be doing a Q&A as part of their panel about All Elite Wrestling just 48 hours prior to Double or Nothing in Las Vegas. Starrcast will be streaming it on FITE and allowing viewers the chance to ask questions.

Arn Anderson and Sting both have panels at Starrcast on May 24th. Tony Schiavone will taking questions from fans watching at home on FITE for the Q&A portion of the show.  

The Young Bucks and Joey Janela will be guests for Colt Cabana’s live Art of Wrestling show on May 24th.  

Bret Hart and Tom Magee will discuss their now infamous match from 1986 with Sean Mooney on Saturday, May 25th in Las Vegas.

All of the above can be watched live or demand by pre-ordering today at STARRCASTonFITE.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION