Daily Update: The Athletic, Jorge Masvidal, Bobby Fulton

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

JOB LISTING: Web/UI Developer(s)

  • Experience with OnLamp(Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP)
  • GITHUB and Linux command line experience while be helpful as well.
  • CMS – Drupal and WordPress. vBulletin
  • Possible experience with AWS(s3 specifically), Dreamhost, UI development
  • Cloud based hosting experience a plus
  • Javascript also a huge plus

While this is a diverse request this doesn’t have to be just one person! If you fit any part of this please feel free to inquire.

This is not just for projects related to F4WOnline.

WON NEWSLETTER: June 8, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Black Lives Matter

We have a feature on systemic prejudice in the U.S. as the lead story in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Also in this issue:

The Dana White/Jon Jones story, explaning the economic realities, the economic fallacies and where things stand with both men’s arguments. We look at what does and doesn’t make sense economically, why Jones and Conor McGregor and all the top draws have lost value to UFC, plus exactly what both men have said about each other and where things stand.

The economics of what Jones has drawn in the past, and the numbers of recent UFC show.

The unwritten WWE rule about not criticizing other talent in a public forum outside of storyline-related reasons, why it was broken this past week, what was said, as well as looking at the ties beween the ownerships of the different wrestling companies with Donald Trump, statements released, and the key things no talent can say.

New WWE Network updates.

Upcoming guidelines for WWE shows, Paul Levesque talks COVID testing, notes on more WWE cuts, Vince McMahon sends out memo, original Gronkowski plans and why they changed and why now.

Upcoming Backlash and Takeover shows, an update on the XFL bankruptcy, how WWE is involved and more.

Update the Kairi Sane injury, Vince McMahon bio, Drake Maverick angle, people talked about for main roster, WWE hires new man t head the Middle East business, Kurt Angle talks why he’s not returning at this point to WWE, plus we look at the current market value of WWE and poll results, as well as WWE’s own track record.

Coverage of Saturday’s UFC show with the storylines and the business news, plus match-by-match coverage.

A large feature on the retirement of Stu Saks and the westling magazine era, the life and times and the glory years of Pro Wrestling Illustrated, the death of the magazine business, how VinceMcMahon tried to kill it early, and the different stages of the magazine era.

A feature on the wrestling career, and life of Danny Havoc from many of the people who knew him best in the industry.

In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.

Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week. 

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.

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

The Athletic website announced today it had cut 46 staff members,which was eight percent of its working force. The cuts were across all sports and among the MMA names cut were Chuck Mindenhall, Dan Stupp, Josh Gross and Chad Dundas. They cited that subscription growth was not at the rate it had been, which is hardly surprising with less live sports.

Dana White said that Gilbert Burns was the front runner for the next welterweight title shot at Kamaru Usman. This came at the same time that Jorge Masvidal, who figured to get the next shot, claimed he was disrespected when UFC made him an offer of half of what he had made for his recent fight with Nate Diaz.  He asked for a release. Masvidal said, “If I’m not worth it, let me go.”

White just said Burns wanted to fight and nobody else wanted to. From a UFC standpoint, Usman vs. Masvidal doesn’t figure to do the business of Diaz vs. Masvidal, and you don’t have a live gate. But since the PPV revenue is guaranteed by ESPN, the idea of cutting pay due to a lesser drawing match doesn’t make as much sense. You can’t argue one way for Jon Jones and another for Jorge Masvidal, which is what is happening here.

Bobby Fulton of The Fantastics tag team announced this morning that he was declared cancer free.

UFC weigh-in results for tomorrow’s show:

  • Prelims on ESPN+ and Fight Pass at 6:30 p.m. Eastern:
    Evan Dunham (149.5) vs. Herbert Burns (149.5) – 150 pound fight
    Alonzo Menifield (205) vs. Devin Clark (205.5)
    Jussier Formiga (126) vs. Alex Perez (126)
  • Prelims on ESPN at 8 p.m.:
    Charles Byrd (184.5) vs. Maki Pitolo (185.5)
    Cody Stamann (145.5) vs. Brian Kelleher (146)
    Gerald Meerschaeart (185.5) vs. Ian Heinisch (185.5)
    Chase Hooper (145.5) vs. Alex Caceres (146)
  • Main card on ESPN+ PPV at 10 p.m.:
    Sean O’Malley (136) vs. Eddie Wineland (136)
    Neil Magny (171) vs. Anthony Rocco Martin (170.5)
    Aljamain Sterling (136) vs. Cory Sandhagen (135.5)
    Raphael Assuncao (136) vs. Cody Garbrandt (136)
    Amanda Nunes (145) vs. Felicia Spencer (145) for women’s featherweight title

Impact looks to be making an announcement about its world title given Tessa Blanchard is still in Tijuana. The problem now is that COVID-19 is bad in Mexico so even though a lot of talent can get in from Canada and the U.K., those in Mexico, which also include AEW’s Pentagon Jr. and Jack Evans, and all the AAA talent, still are uncertain. 

WWE

  • Smackdown tonight has Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs. Bayley & Sasha Banks, a face-to-face with Daniel Bryan and A.J. Styles to build up next week’s IC title match and Jeff Hardy explains last week’s arrest angle. Or at least tries to. 205 Live has Tehuti Miles vs. Oney Lorcan and Isaiah Scott vs. Jack Gallagher.
  • Titus O’Neil speaking in Tampa on Wednesday at the 32:40 mark of this video. (thanks to Mark Schreiner)
  • Odds for Takeover from www.BetOnline.agAdam Cole -300 vs. Velveteen Dream +200
    Io Shirai -150 vs. Charlotte Flair +120 vs. Rhea Ripley +200
    Johnny Gargano -160 vs. Keith Lee +120
    Karrion Kross -250 vs. Tommaso Ciampa +170
    Damien Priest -160 vs. Finn Balor +120
    Yim & Blackheart & Nox -200 vs. LeRae & Kai & Gonzalez +150
  • And for next week:
    Drew McIntyre -900 vs. Bobby Lashley +500
    Asuka -500 vs. Nia Jax +300
    Randy Orton -160 vs. Edge +120
    Braun Strowman -1000 vs. Miz & Morrison +550

UFC

  • Alexander Gustafsson is coming out of retirement to face Fabricio Werdum on a 7/25 UFC show on Fight Island.
  • Here is the Countdown to UFC 250 video.
  • UFC has announced a new issue of UFC Chronicles on the life of Josh Samman, which is up on the site now and a betting show on tomorrow’s card which is also up on the site. There will be a Max Holloway show debuting tomorrow.     
  • Austin Hubbard vs. Joe Solecki at lightweight has been added to the 6/20 show.
  • The main card for the 6/13 UFC show on ESPN+ will be Jordan Espinosa vs. Mark De La Rosa, Andre Fili vs. Charles Jourdain, Ray Borg vs. Merab Dvalishvili, Karl Roberson vs. Marvin Vettori and Jessica Eye vs. Cynthia Calvillo.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • CWE has announced a show open to the public on 6/12 in Winnipeg at Rookie’s Sports Bar. Itwill be restricted to only 100 spectators. Wearing a mask is recommended but not mandated and people are allowed to sit close with people they arrive wit but asked to stay away from others. They’ve also announced a tour throughout Canada form 10/17 to 11/9 with shows in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. 
  • Gino Gambino is donating proceeds for all his Pro Wrestling Tees sales for the rest of the year to Aboriginal Legal Services. Charli Evans, Jessica Troy, Kingsley and Shazza McKenzie are also donating their proceeds for this month through WrestlerMerch as well.
  • Kevin Eck’s weekly ROH rundown.
  • MLW Anthology this week will focus on Satoshi Kojima and his run as MLW champion with matches against Jerry Lynn, Vampiro and Johnny Smith. 
  • This week’s ROH TV show will be featured around Brody King, including a match with Jeff Cobb.
  • VFW Magazine has an article on pro wrestler Ryan Oshun in the active duty U.S. Air Force.
  • There is a Go Fund Me for longtime subscriber and correspondent Jon Southerland, who is being treated at Clovis Community Hospital. He was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer that has spread to his liver and lungs.  He was diagnosed in the first week of May. He’s currently in the ICU awaiting his first round of chemo.Chris Gonzalez is attempting to raise funds to assist in paying for his treatment and recovery. There are more details on the GoFundMe page. 
  • Nick Aldis says he would like to defend his title against Joe Hennig in an interview with TSN 1200 in Ottawa: “The one that may surprise people but I really have faith and could really make magic with is Joe Hennig. Curtis Axel in WWE… I’m getting excited just talking about it but Joe and I attended Harley Race’s camp together in 2007 I think it was… We were all like that’s Curt Hennig’s kid. Wow. He’s just started wrestling and he was such a natural. I couldn’t believe it. I was just so envious. This perfect footwork and takes these perfect crisp flatback bumps. Perfect dropkick. I was like “I’ve been doing this for like 4 years and I can’t do it like that!”. You know for me I just don’t understand why and how that was never taken advantage of but in our world you can bet your ass that that’s how we do it. We would take you on that ride and tell you every part of that story and get you emotionally invested. Not to say that we would exploit any of those things but if anyone saw the build towards me and Cody and the emotion attached to that because of Dusty and because of what it meant to Cody. It’s genuine. It’s real. What it genuinely meant to Cody to get a shot at the title and what it meant to his family. I think that a lot of the same elements exist with Joe Hennig except with Joe Hennig it’s a real point to prove with him. I think two guys around the same age with very different paths but sort of converging at the same point in time with this ultimate prize on the line but both with real significant points to prove. I think it’s pretty hard to go wrong with that. “

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Ospreay defeats Shingo to win 2019 Best of the Super Juniors

CONTACT INFORMATION