Daily Update: Big Cass, Ciampa, NWA

DAILY UPDATE

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Bayley turns heel, WWE continues to focus on HorsewomenJoseph Currier looks at how WWE has addressed the women’s division post-WM problems. Plus, Bryan Rose’s notes on Japan, and Vinny’s TV reviews. 

Bayley going through a long-anticipated character change was the latest step in WWE refocusing on the Four Horsewomen.

Bayley & Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross main evented last Monday’s episode of Raw. Sasha Banks ran in and caused a disqualification by attacking Lynch. Banks struck Lynch with a steel chair until Bayley took it away from her. But instead of playing peacemaker between her friends, Bayley smiled and pummeled Lynch with the chair herself.

After beginning her heel turn and reuniting with Banks, Bayley cut a promo explaining her actions the next night on SmackDown. The crowd alternated between cheering and booing her. Bayley told the fans that their reaction was confusing. Instead of going full bore with the heel turn, Bayley spoke about her friendship with Banks and called Banks the one person who has always had her back. Bayley disingenuously talked about being a hero and a role model. She said she was trying to show kids what it means to be loyal and noted that she couldn’t turn her back on Banks just because things got rough. Bayley said that SmackDown deserves a champion that gets the same kind of recognition as Lynch.

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WON NEWSLETTER: Anthem buys AXS TV plus tons of news

In a move that has great ramifications in pro wrestling, Anthem Sport and Entertainment has purchased a majority interest in AXS TV and HDNet Movies and will begin running the two channels.

The deal also includes purchasing the AXS TV library of concerts, pro wrestling and MMA content, which would include U.S. broadcast rights to old ROH, many years of New Japan, WOW, and some defunct MMA promotions as well as countless smaller MMA shows.

Mark Cuban, who founded the stations, and AEG, his partners, will continue to own a minority interest. Part of the purchase team included Anthem, headed by Leonard Asper, and entertainer Steve Harvey, who will enter into a strategic content development agreement.

The company will continue operating from studios in Los Angeles and Denver, as well as use Anthem studios in Toronto, Nashville and Europe. The office in Dallas was closed down.

While not stated in the sales press release, as noted over the months this day has been in play, that if it was to go through, that Impact would move from The Pursuit Channel, where it has been dying on the vine, and move to AXS.

The deal actually first started with an attempt by Anthem to get Impact on AXS when they got word in the latter stages of 2018 that they weren’t going to be renewed by Pop TV. AXS turned down the initial deal, since Impact did not have a good reputation in the wrestling world at the time and AXS had its own wrestling franchise with New Japan.

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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

Additional notes by Joseph Currier

WWE

  • SmackDown is tonight at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The New Day will battle Randy Orton and The Revival in a six-man tag team match. A coronation for the new King of the Ring, Baron Corbin, will also take place, Shane McMahon will address the “firing” of Kevin Owens and there will be a sit-down interview with Erick Rowan.
  • Oney Lorcan vs. Tony Nese, Lince Dorado vs. Ariya Daivari, and Brian Kendrick vs. Jack Gallagher have been announced for tonight’s 205 Live.
  • FOX released an advertisement with former NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon to promote SmackDown’s move to FOX and the WWE moving truck tour.
  • On Raw last night, it was officially confirmed that the Wild Card rule will be going away after next month’s draft.
  • In an interview with NXT fan Izzy, Tommaso Ciampa confirmed that he hasn’t been cleared to return, though Ciampa said he’s been told that he’ll eventually be able to wrestle again at some point.
  • WWE Shop released new T-shirts for a bunch of NXT wrestlers.
  • WWE has recently filed trademarks for Boa and The Disrespected.
  • Charlotte Flair and Ric Flair took part in a Q&A for Cricket Wireless today

Pro Wrestling

  • The latest episode of Ten Pounds of Gold announced an NWA World title match between Nick Aldis and Tim Storm for their September 30 television tapings in Atlanta. That’s the first of two straight nights of tapings at GPB Studios.
  • After Big Cass apologized for the incident he was involved at WrestlePro’s show this past Saturday, Kevin Matthews tweeted that he believes in second chances and will book Cass again as soon as he’s good to go: “I’m all about second chances. The second Cass is good to go I will be the first one to happily book him on a future WrestlePro show.”
  • Enzo Amore sent out a tweet supporting Cass: “Thanx for all the love & support for @TheCaZXL. My man is going to kick out! Cause if he doesn’t I’ll break up the pin. Loyalty is love. I’ve learned a lot about our friendship this past year, & No matter what he decides to do with his future endeavors: Friendship > Business.”
  • Michael Elgin vs. Naomichi Marufuji is now official for Impact Wrestling’s Bound for Glory PPV. It’s taking place in Villa Park, Illinois on October 20.
  • This week’s MLW Fusion episode has been uploaded to YouTube. The War Chamber match between Tom Lawlor, Ross Von Erich, Marshall Von Erich & Low Ki (w/ Kevin Von Erich) and Contra Unit (Jacob Fatu, Josef Samael, Simon Gotch & Ikuro Kwon) aired on the show.
  • Kenny Herzog wrote an article about MLW for The Ringer.
  • Lenny Leonard will be on the English commentary team for Dragon Gate’s The Gate of Destiny event on November 4.
  • Former WWE and AWA announcer Ken Resnick has joined VOC Nation Radio Network and will be part of their Wrestling with History program starting October 2.
  • The Rock has announced there will be a second season of The Titan Games.
  • Hannibal TV talked to Tank Abbott about Goldberg, Conor McGregor and more.

UFC/MMA

  • Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal will attend a press conference this Thursday for their fight at UFC 244. The press conference is taking place at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City at 7 p.m. Eastern time. Madison Square Garden will host UFC 244 on November 2.
  • Anthony Pettis is interested in fighting Diego Sanchez next.
  • Sarah Frota has accepted a two-year sanction from USADA after testing positive for multiple stanozolol metabolites stemming from a urine test submitted the night of UFC 240, where she lost to Gillian Robertson.
  • UFC parent company Endeavor is looking to raise $600 million when they go public with their IPO later this year.
  • Kevin Lee has garnered controversy for sharing a video showing him playing a Nintendo Switch while letting his Tesla drive itself.
  • Eddie Alvarez, who is now signed to ONE, told MMA Fighting that he doesn’t believe that all the best fighters are in the UFC.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Ric Flair wins his first NWA World title

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