Daily Update: Becky Lynch, Otis, NWA Carnyland

DAILY UPDATE

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WON NEWSLETTER: May 11, 2020 Observer Newsletter: UFC 249 and WWE MITB previews, more

The return of major shows in the U.S. and how the different companies are dong them is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 

We look at UFC’s plans, how the PBR handled their first event which was the first sports event back, what UFC’s plans are for May 23, lineups for the UFC shows, Dana White, doctors and others talk about UFC going back, the shows AEW and WWE is putting on, how the fighters are preparing differently, how UFC is handling backstage, how all three companies are handling testing, plus comments from other promoters.

The new issue also covers:

Preview Money in the bank, AEW Double or Nothing II, and update New Japan’s plans and cancellations. We also look at the AEW PPV scene, Big Japan needing crowd funding and going through all of the WWE released talent and look at their future prospects.

How COVID-19 has affected the ratings of every show, the variations and what lessons can be learned by the ratings drops.

Risks involving Roman Reigns, FOX airing a special head-to-head with UFC PPV, update on how WWE financials look with new information and stock value, Becky Lynch acting, New WWE TV show, WWE injury updates, wrestler who left the promotion apologizes for behavior, U.K. ratings, Matt Riddle talks heat and his meeting with Vince McMahon, Mike Bennett talks leaving WWE, When WWE tried to work with CMLL, Orlando Colon talks leaving and certain naievete, most watched sports on television, Paul Levesque selling stock, Next week’s TV, and most watched shows of the past week on WWE Network.

Supreme, the Southern California indie star who was one of the top stars of XPW, including looking back at his career, his FMW tag title run, and the famous ECW/XPW brawl at a PPV show.

Maryland commission ruling regarding the Kenny Omega match with Jon Moxley in Baltimore.

What happened to Hiroshi Hase.

Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.

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.

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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

WWE

  • Ricky Steamboat is appearing on tonight’s episode of WWE Backstage. The appearance ties in with three hours of WrestleMania III highlights airing from 8-11 p.m. Eastern time on FS1 tonight leading into Backstage. Otis will also be a guest on tonight’s Backstage, and CM Punk will be part of the panel for the episode.
  • Renee Young, Booker T, Mark Henry, and special guests are doing a social media watchalong for WrestleMania III starting at 9 p.m. Eastern tonight.
  • People spoke to Becky Lynch about her pregnancy. Lynch said she won’t be making a decision about returning to the ring any time soon: “It’s just such a joyous time and then such a sad time too. I loved this and I’ve given my life to this. I’ve achieved everything that I want to achieve in this business. I don’t know what the next chapter is because I only know what it’s like to think for myself when I’m by myself. So I don’t know what it’ll look like and how my priorities shift and what I’m going to want in the future. So, everything’s open.”
  • Stephanie McMahon tweeted her congratulations to Lynch: “Congratulations @BeckyLynchWWE, a professional athlete and actress, at the top of her game, playing by her own rules! I’m so excited for you and @WWERollins! Wishing you lots of love, happiness and good health as you enter this new chapter in your lives.”
  • Triple H also tweeted to Lynch: “Through her triumph and struggles, @BeckyLynchWWE has always been honest with the audience. Last night was no different. Congratulations on an incredible journey as #WWERaw Women’s Champion and the one she is embarking on. #MomsCanDoAnything #Proud”
  • WWE.com compiled some of the other congratulations Lynch received on social media.
  • Mick Foley shared the story of a time Lynch helped brighten the spirits of a young fan who was dying of cancer.
  • WWE Shop released “The Mom” and “The Ma(n)” T-shirts for Lynch.
  • Otis spoke to Sports Illustrated about his Money in the Bank win: “I found out and was like, ‘What?’ When the briefcase got into my hands, that’s when it felt real. I remember watching the first Money in the Bank match at WrestleMania, and it blows my mind that I woke up right next to it this morning.”
  • Otis was the guest on this week’s episode of Chasing Glory with Lilian Garcia.
  • Otis, Asuka, Adam Cole, Todd Pettengill, and William Regal are appearing on WWE’s The Bump tomorrow morning.
  • Roman Reigns has a role in the movie “The Wrong Missy,” which debuts on Netflix tomorrow.
  • WWE’s YouTube channel uploaded Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin in a street fight from the April 21, 1997 episode of Raw and Christian vs. Randy Orton from the May 6, 2011 episode of SmackDown.

Other Wrestling

  • The NWA announced that they’re launching a new show called Carnyland on their YouTube channel at 6:05 p.m. Eastern time next Tuesday. Billy Corgan said it was an idea they had at the very beginning of acquiring the NWA, but further details about it weren’t revealed.
  • Karl Anderson tweeted last night: “Listen, we had a decision to make in September of 2019..We clearly made the wrong one. In 68 days, at midnight @The_BigLG n I will talk about it. All of it. @TalknShop @azucarRoc #TalkNShopAMania”
  • DDT announced that their DDT Universe streaming service is rebranding as Wrestle Universe: “DDT UNIVERSE, which offers a variety of video content both live and on-demand, will be rebranding. Distribution of Pro-Wrestling NOAH videos has begun in January 2020, and the library has expanded to approximately 7.500 videos, including videos from outside promotions. As the name UNIVERSE suggests, it will be our mission to provide content to as many pro-wrestling fans as possible on a global basis, and as such, we have come to the decision to rebrand.”
  • Chris Jericho is the guest on tonight’s new episode of “Ridiculousness” that’s airing on MTV at 10 p.m. Eastern time.
  • Moose hijacked the opening video for tonight’s Impact with the help of original TNA voiceover guy Barry Scott.
  • NJPW’s English-language website posted the second part of their three-part Q&A with Kazuchika Okada.
  • Alicia Atout has an interview with Melina.

MMA

  • Karl Roberson was the only fighter to miss weight for tomorrow’s UFC Fight Night show. Roberson missed by 1.5 pounds. His fight against Marvin Vettori will still take place tomorrow, but Roberson will forfeit 20 percent of his purse.
  • Stipe Miocic responded to Daniel Cormier saying he’s going to face Francis Ngannou for the UFC heavyweight title if Miocic won’t fight: “I’ve already said I’m going to fight DC. He just likes to make noise. My team is working on securing a training location and dates w UFC. I have five belts at home. I don’t need to sit on anything. If I didn’t have a torn retina, I would’ve already fought & retired @dc_mma.”
  • Ngannou spoke about the state of the heavyweight division: “I think the division has to move on. There’s not a division where there’s one year without a title defense. What are they fighting for? They have to be fighting for something. They all have a purpose. They all have a dream. You have to keep slighting them and they have to keep the same motivation seeing that. As soon as there’s not a title in the division anymore, it’s not the same motivation. It’s not worth it. I don’t want to take Stipe out of it. I just want what I deserve and let the UFC do their job.”
  • MMA Junkie reported that the show the UFC planned for May 23 is now targeted for May 30.
  • Conor McGregor posted a series of tweets aimed at other fighters in the lightweight division. Khabib Nurmagomedov then fired back at McGregor.
  • McGregor’s manager Audie Attar said McGregor plans on boxing again but is focused on MMA first: “I think he’s thinking MMA first. Boxing is definitely something he plans on doing, but I think he’s thinking MMA first. And who the opponent is, it could be (Justin Gaethje or Tony Ferguson), it could be someone else. It just depends on how things play out and where he wants to take it. Ultimately, I think all the fans want to see him fight, so it doesn’t matter who he fights — he’ll fight someone. Whether he fights (Gaethje) or whether he fights another opponent, we will see. Let’s see how this thing plays out and let’s see how discussions go and then as it relates to him fighting Manny or any other boxer in the future, that’s always a possibility.”
  • Sportsnet interviewed Georges St-Pierre about his UFC Hall of Fame induction.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Kevin Steen wins ROH World title

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