Daily Update: Backlash preview and odds, Hogan, Being the Elite

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s Backlash show, as well as both of the Dontaku shows, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

We’re also looking for reports on the weekend Progress tournament to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

WWE BACKLASH ON SUNDAY AT 7:30 P.M. EASTERN FROM THE PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NJ ON THE WWE NETWORK

A.J. Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in a no DQ match for WWE title — Really this should be the best match of the series. The no DQ gives them wider latitude than the prior matches and it’s more of a featured match than it was at Mania or GRR. My thought is that Nakamura should win the title here. At least that’s how I’d do it, because a Styles win ends the program and a Nakamura win keeps it alive. However, Styles is right now a -175 favorite at 5Dimes. Keep in mind that the odds at this point do not reflect smart money moving, so they aren’t meant as a predictor as much as just favorites.

Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe — Coming off the two losses to Brock Lesnar, Reigns needs a win unless the storyline is a Reigns losing streak. This should rival Styles vs. Nakamura as the match of the show. Plus, as a general rule, the WWE beats the guy who is switching brands. Reigns is right now a -565 favorite.

Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass — While Bryan is the favorite, because it is his first major singles match of his return, it is possible that Miz would cost him this match. This match will be a real test of Bryan. Cass isn’t exactly known for classic singles matches. Bryan is a -350 favorite.

Seth Rollins vs. The Miz for IC title — This could be the sleeper match. Given Smackdown already has the U.S. title, the idea of the IC title being also on that brand makes no sense. This just seems to be the blow-off before going stronger with Rollins vs. Finn Balor on Raw. Rollins is a -870 favorite, the second longest odds on the show. Rollins has been working at perhaps the highest level on the main roster of late, so this could be a candidate for the best match.

Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton for U.S. title — With both being on Smackdown, and no real storyline reason either has to win, this could go either way. Jeff Hardy just won the title so that favors him. But history is usually that Orton beats Jeff Hardy. Hardy is a -265 favorite to retain. This should be a good match. There’s no reason for it not to be.

Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss for Raw women’s title — Jax, at -900, is the biggest favorite on the show. The thing is, Bliss is the centerpiece of the division and Jax is difficult to book as champion, at least until they want to do a Ronda Rousey program with her, and I don’t see that as being any time soon. They are best friends and best friends usually work better with each other than with others, so that goes for them.

Carmella vs. Charlotte Flair for Smackdown women’s title — It’s not the time for Charlotte to win the title back, so Carmella should retain, probably a gimmick finish. This is real big for Carmella because she can talk but she’s unproven in a singles matches at this level.

Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn — This is all about Owens & Zayn getting both big guys over. Strowman & Lashley are -475 favorites. I think this will also be a good, as Owens and Zayn are good heels to work with these two guys. Lashley is feeling flat, because he gets no promo time and Strowman overshadows him because he’s so over. So shining up Lashley should be a goal of this match.

Bayley vs. Ruby Riott (pre-show match) — I sense Bayley losing because Sasha Banks isn’t there, similar to what happened with Banks on Raw. For that reason, Riott is a -185 favorite. This is the preshow match at 7:30 p.m. 

Raw is Monday from the Nassau Coliseum in New York. There is also a Smackdown house show in Allentown, PA.

Smackdown and 205 Live are Tuesday from Baltimore. Mandy Rose vs. Becky Lynch was announced for the show an Jack Gallagher & Brian Kendrick vs. Lince Dorado & Gran Metalik was announced for 205 Live.

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: WWE’s bet on Saudi Arabia

If WWE was concerned about criticism of their partnership with Saudi Arabia, they certainly didn’t show it at the Greatest Royal Rumble.The first event in WWE’s 10-year agreement with the Saudi General Sports Authority was a weird mix of special event, house show, and propaganda. It wasn’t just a stadium show with Saudi Arabia as its backdrop. The location wasn’t just spotlighted in the set design or advertising like with WrestleMania host cities. 

WON NEWSLETTER: May 8, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Fallout from the Greatest Royal Rumble

A look at the Greatest Royal Rumble, both the financial and ethical aspects and answering a lot of questions about the show is the lead story in the new double-issue of the Observer.

Look at the different controversies, from why the show is completely different from anything in pro wrestling history, to the questions regarding the women and Sami Zayn, attempts at defending the situation. Review the show itself, with a complete rundown of the Rumble, match-by-match coverage with star ratings, records set for the Rumble, the Lesnar vs. Reigns finish, and Lesnar going forward.

Look at first day ticket sales for New Japan’s show at the Cow Palace, why it’s difficult for New Japan to promote matches when they put tickets on sale, the Okada vs. Tanahashi feud, Chris Jericho in New Japan, talk of running more Dome shows in the upcoming years, as well as full coverage of the Hi No Kuni show in Kumamoto with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

This issue features Glenn Jacobs and his mayor campaign, including his chances of winning the overall election, details of how he won the election and the campaign itself, and wrestlers who came in to support him.

Have a look at the life and career of Universo 2000, the longest reigning world heavyweight champion in pro wrestling of the modern era, who passed away on Wednesday.

There is a story looking back at the birth of UFC with the announcement of Art Davie into the UFC Hall of Fame.

Coverage of the birth of the new PFL, the $1 million tournaments and prize packages, the two-time gold medalist that is starting with the group, and a lot of former UFC names that have entered in the different weight classes.

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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight covering Backlash and WWE financial. You can also send questions to the show to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com.

Hulk Hogan was on WIP radio yesterday in Philadelphia and after the interview was over, host Howard Eskin said that Hogan had almost completed the deal for him to return to WWE.

Avengers: Infinity Wars was the fastest movie in history to hit the $1 billion mark worldwide, doing so last night. For the U.S., it was No. 1 with an estimated $112.5 million. Rampage, with Dwayne Johnson, was No. 5 at $4.6 million estimated and Blockers with John Cena was No. 11 with an estimated $1.7 million.

The Kambi odds regarding best match tonight have Nakamura vs. Styles at -167 and Joe vs. Reigns at +210. No other individual match is being listed.

The predictions for star ratings you can bet over or under for are:

  • Owens & Zayn vs. Lashley & Strowman **3/4
  • Bryan vs. Cass ***1/4
  • Rollins vs. Miz ***1/2
  • Jax vs. Bliss **1/2
  • Reigns vs. Joe ***3/4
  • Carmella vs. Flair **1/4
  • Styles vs. Nakamura ***3/4
  • Hardy vs. Orton ***1/4

Being the Elite will be returning very soon after just a few weeks off. They kind of had to since tickets go on sale for All In on 5/13.

New Japan should be announcing the lineups for the Best of the Super Juniors tournament in the next few days. It starts on 5/18. Last week’s Observer had most of the names and you can add Taiji Ishimori to that list. A name you can’t add is Volador Jr., since he’s booked on 5/18 at Arena Mexico, meaning he’s not in the tournament. Too bad, he was one of the best guys last year. It’ll be great almost for sure, but losing both Ricochet and Volador is going to be tough. Jushin Liger and Taichi are also both out. Liger was strong last year and Taichi was anything but.

With a quiet weekend until Backlash, nothing was of major public interest. In boxing, Gennady Golovkin was the seventh most searched for term in the U.S. yesterday at 100,000 and Ryan Garcia was No. 17 with 20,000. 

WWE

  • Ronda Rousey was filming for Shark Week this week. 
  • PW Insider reported Jason Jordan is scheduled to return at tomorrow’s show at the Nassau Coliseum. He was cleared after neck surgery three months ago.
  • Dolph Ziggler, who had the weekend off, was hyping up the crowd last night during the first quarter of the Cleveland Cavaliers game with the Toronto Raptors. 

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Rise on 5/12 in Pittsburgh has Delilah Doom vs. Jessicka Havok, Tessa Blanchard vs. Britt Baker, Kimber Lee vs. Shotzi Blackheart, Deonna Purrazzo vs. Mercedes Martinez, Baker vs. Martinez, Nicole Savoy vs. Doom, Blanchard vs. Blackheart and more. They are taping starting at 1 p.m. for their Internet TV show.
  • EWF from Friday night in Covina, CA before 400 fans: Rico Dynamite b Matt Vandagriff, Jesse James & Hoss Hog b Calder McColl & Dr. Kruger to win tag team titles, Adrian Quest b Dicky Meyer to win tag titles, Decapitator won Great Goliath Memorial Battle Royal, Andy Brown b Fidel Bravo in a Roman Gladiator death match. They also had a Hall of Fame ceremony for EWF and inducted famed Southern California referee Rick Knox and the tag team of Kayam & Enigma de Oro. (thanks to Scott Walton)
  • If I remember correctly it was Jeff Walton who invented the Roman Gladiator death match.
  • PCW Ultra from Friday night in Wilmington, CA: ACH b Chris Bey, Darby Allin b Eli Everfly, Hammerstone b Jeff Cobb, Tessa Blanchard b Chelsea Green to become their first women’s champion, Brody King & Jacob Fatu & Josef b Bestia 666 & Garza Jr. & Mecha Wolf 450, Shane Strickland b Douglas James to keep the light heavyweight title wth Ricky Steamboat as referee, Penta 0M b Homicide. They announced Penta vs. Sami Callihan for June. Mick Foley and Nita Strauss (who played Shinsuke Nakamura’s entrance music at WrestleMania) were there promoting Wings for Rescue, an animal charity. Stephan Bonnar was there and cut a promo saying he would be wrestling here and nobody was safe from him. He didn’t get much of a reaction. The Forrest Griffin match was 13 years ago. Blanchard vs. Green tore down the house. Kevin Sullivan managed Brody King, Jacob Fatu & Josef. Karleena Gore, a stunt woman and model, blew fire and was also in their corner. Foley also punched Homicide when Homicide went after him. (thanks to Jacob Koch)
  • Stardom from yesterday: Kaori Yoneyama won over Leo Onozaki and Hanan, Mary Apache & Natsumi & Ruaka b Natsu Sumire & Session Moth Martina & Nao Yamaguchi, Hana Kimura & Hazuki & Brandi Rhodes b Jungle Kyona & Natsuko Tora & Shiki Shibusawa, Momo Watanabe & AZM & Konami & Chardonnay & Bea Priestley b Mayu Iwatani & Saki Kashima & Tam Nakano & Candy Floss & Starlight Kid, Kagetsu threw out Io Shirai to win Battle Royal, Io Shirai b Kagetsu to keep the Wonder of Stardom title. Momo Watanabe challenged Shirai for the title after. (thanks to Jacob Koch)
  • Stardom from today in Tokyo: Cody Rhodes was at the show since his wife wrestled on it. Hanan won over Leo Onozaki and Nao Yamaguchi, Starlight Kid b Ruaka, Hana Kimura & Session Moth Martina & Brandi Rhodes & Natsu Sumire b Konami & AZM & Bea Priestley & Chardoanny, Io Shirai & Momo Watanabe d Kagetsu & Hazuki 20:00, Jungle Kyona & Kaori Yoneyama & Mary Apache & Natsuko Tora & Candy Floss b Mayu Iwatani & Tam Nakano & Saki Kashima & Shiki Shibuawa in an elimination mach with Kyona as the last survivor. They are off next weekend and return for shows on 5/20 and 5/23 in Tokyo.
  • CWE on 5/21 in Springbrook Alberta at the Springbrook Multiplex features an appearance by Ron Simmons. They also run 5/22 in Vernon BC at the Schubert Centrre and 5/23 in Golden, BC at the Mount 7 Rec Plex.
  • Jinny, who was announced as being out of the Pro Wrestling Eve show, wrestled Friday for Riptide Wrestling in Brighton, England in a woman vs. man match against Jimmy Havoc. Her hand had been injured and she was out for 12 weeks.
  • World League Wrestling from last night in Troy, MO: Karim Brigante d Kyle Roberts, Jayden Dominic Rose b Rex Fults, Rex Fults b Jaden Roller-COR, Stacey O’Brien b Monica Passeri to take women’s title, Jon Webb b Superstar Steve Fender. (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
  • Christopher Daniels will be on the AWF tour of Australia with shows on 5/17 in Sydney, 5/18 in Melbourne, 5/19 in Adelaide and 5/20 in Brisbane. Jonah Rock will be on the Adelaide show. 
  • Bad Luck Fale and Gino Gambino are working for Venom Pro Wrestling in Queensland, Australia on 5/26. Fale is also conducting a tryout on that day.
  • Indi Hartwel won a tournament last night in Newcastle, New South Wales to become the first Newcastle Pro Wrestling women’s champion over Shazza McKenzie, Madison Eagles and Harley Wonderland. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
  • Ryback will be working for Rock N Roll Wrestling on 5/11 and 5/12 in Nowra and Woolongong, New South Wales, Australia.
  • Pro Wrestling Eve from yesterday in London: Emily Read opened the show telling the crowd to cheer and boo, but no homophobic remarks or weight shaming any participants. Rhia O’Reilly & Addy Star & Emi Sakura & Laura DiMatteo b Jayla Dark & Jamie Hayter & Charli Evans & Blue Nikita under original War Games rules, Kris Wolf d Jetta (double pin finish so both go into a ladder match later), Nina Samuels wins ladder match over Kris Wolf, Leah Owens, Nina Samuels, Jetta, Kasey Owens, Livvii Grace and Millie McKenzie (Owens looked to have injured her ankle or knee taking a fall off a ladder and she was taken to the hospital), Kay Lee Ray b Meiko Satomura (said to be awesome), Aja Kong b Viper in Kong’s UK debut, Charlie Morgan b Sammii Jaye eto win the Eve title. Said to be really good. (thanks to Jake Koch)
  • A correction from Friday. We listed that the PWA that ran in Ontario and British Columbia were two different companies. Actually it is the same company running both provinces. (thanks to Jeff Zinger)
  • Pure Pro Wrestling from last night in Holland, MI before 100 fans: Silas Young b Gideon Malice, Max Morrisoni b Tommy Vendetta, Cody Manning b Tenshi, Jeff King b CJ Otis Father Time & El Tajana b Nomads-DQ. (thanks to Jason Mol)
  • Bodyslam Pro Wrestling from last night in Aarhus, Denmark: Harley Race b Yuri Kosinski, Rick Dominick won over Vasyl & Schjotler, Joseph Conners b Steinbolt, Tank & Matthew Burnett b Peter Olisander & Emeritus, Sixt b Betty Rose, Michale Fynne kept Bodyslam title in three-way over Ashley Dunn and Chris Tyler. (thanks to Kristian Buus Nielsen)
  • Hoosier Pro Wrestling from last night in Columbus, IN: Ace Jackson won over Scarecrow and Tim Lutz, Kenny Kage b Drax O’Brien, Cody Hawk b War Machine, Richard Sharkey b Shawna Reed, Vic the Bruiser NC Omega Pit Bull, Dillen Swango & Buck Sexton b Mad Dog & Fireball, Flash Flanagan b Butcher Manson. (thanks to Jerry Wilson)
  • LuchaCentral.com is running a free contest to win a mask from Penta Zero M (aka Pentagon Jr. aka Pentagon Dark). The contest ends on May 8th. Details including a video of Penta inviting you to enter are here.
  • An interview with me on several subjects.
  • A story on the Micro Wrestling Federation.
  • Episode 2 of Elliot Sexton’s Trophy Life went online. The episode is set during Sexton’s return to Melbourne City Wrestling and is primarily about his jealousy of Will Ospreay’s popularity in the locker room. 

Daily Professional Wrestling History: Kerry Von Erich wins NWA title at Parade of Champions

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