Daily Update: Big E, NJPW Summer Struggle, Gerald Meerschaert

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WON NEWSLETTER: August 3, 2020 Observer Newsletter: WWE has most profitable quarter ever

The most in-depth look at WWE business is the focal point of this week’s double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

WWE set an all-time record for profits even while having no revenue from arena shows or live event merchandise. We go through the key places the cost savings came from and how reliant the company is now on television money.  We also have notes on investors grilling Vince McMahon about the declining ratings and the firing of Paul Heyman and his responses.

The new issue also covers:

Huge growth in June of the WWE Network, the reasons it happened, and whether or not it’s sustainable. We give a realistic reason for the growth as well as a WWE-speak version. We look at the change in marketing strategy and the early returns from this change; We look at where analysts were wrong about profitability, how the stock price rose, and why the rising level wasn’t that much because of many analysts long-term concern and why.

The difference in tax rate, current market value of the company, why the big talent cuts played no part in these profits and how the profits should go once that talent that was let go is no longer being paid.

What the company is now talking about doing with all the extra cash on hand because the pandemic greatly helped short-term business.

Where the stock price really should be based on the sure-fire profits through 2024, and why it’s still much lower. We also look at the Raw and Smackdown numbers for quarter two, how they compare to last year, and break through  just the numbers to look at the impact of wrestling on the USA Network both last year and this year.

More changes in the WWE Network strategy, updates on WrestleMania in Los Angeles, how soon Vince McMahon thinks before ratings turn around, building new stars, Vince’s reason why AEW numbers are holding up better than Raw or Smackdown, safety measures, and even the WWE Hall of Fame.

The health of Antonio Inoki and look at his disease.

The merger of several Japanese companies and what it really means.

We also look at long-term WWE stock analysis.

Update on Rey Mysterio and WWE, WWE hires a new major executive from NBC, Update on people furloughed, departure of Kairi Sane, constant booking plan changes, Randy Orton talks philosophy of wrestling, Lance Storm talks his own status, Xavier Woods wants non-wrestling gig, Kurt Angle talks his retirement, where wrestlnig stands in sports ratings, update on U.K. ratings, strange Bruce Prichard/Nick Aldis story, return of Kyle O’Reilly as well as the most watched shows on the WWE Network.

A feature on Regis Philbin and his long association with pro wrestling. We look at where it started, where it didn’t take place, how Philbin started using WWF talent and what segment nearly ended it.

New Japan’s Sengoku Lord show with match-by-match coverage, business notes, poll results and star ratigns. We also look at the history of pro wrestling at Jingu Stadium, why New Japan booked a stadium show with such little advance time, the creation of the new KOPW title, and the famous world champion vs world champion match at the stadium in 1994.

This past week’s UFC show, the final event of the Abu Dhabi Fight Island series.

The career of Zoltan Boscik, one of the great technical wrestlers of the 60s and 70s and a television regular. Despite being less than 150 pounds and having nothing of an impressive look, Boscik was a two-time British lightweight champion and a regular world title contender.

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.

SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Big E spoke to Yahoo Sports about The New Day taking a knee and raising their fists before a match on SmackDown in June: “When Kofi and I got to the Performance Center that day, we felt like we had to do something. We went and had a conversation with our boss, Vince McMahon, and he was completely on board. We felt like that even if it was just a five-second gesture, it was important to let people know that the things that affected them, we were feeling too. We’re not above this because we’re on TV or because we make money, we’re still people. I was born Black, I will die Black, I have lived my life as Black American much longer than I will ever be a WWE wrestler.”
  • Big E also discussed his current singles run: “This is all kind of coming out of nowhere. I feel confident that I am ready for this. The interesting thing and weird thing is we don’t have that organic response. I hope people enjoy this run, I hope it’s good and entertaining, I hope all of the people who have clamored for this for years are not disappointed.”
  • Big E honored Andres Guardado and John T. Williams by writing their names on his arm bands for last night’s SmackDown.
  • WWE sent its condolences to Mark “Rollerball” Rocco’s family, friends, and fans after his passing.
  • In an interview with TVInsider, Ric Flair said he wants to manage Randy Orton at SummerSlam: “The thing with Orton is it’s a real life story. His dad and I have been friends since the ’70s. We probably started around the same time. I watched Randy grow up. I was there the day he came up with Dave [Bautista] in Evolution. I don’t know if I would have that same impact on a lot of people. I certainly would love the opportunity, but I think it would have to be one of those scenarios. I’m trying to get me to manage Randy against [Drew] McIntyre [at SummerSlam]. I don’t know. I haven’t heard back, but it’s not because I’m not trying.”
  • Sportskeeda reported that Anthony Greene has signed with WWE.
  • TalkSport has parts one, two, and three of an interview with Seth Rollins.
  • Sports Illustrated spoke to Bayley ahead of last night’s SmackDown.
  • WWE’s YouTube channel uploaded John Cena vs. Shinsuke Nakamura from the August 1, 2017 episode of SmackDown, The New Day vs. The Usos from SummerSlam 2017, and the Undertaker vs. Undertaker match from SummerSlam 1994.

Other Wrestling

  • NJPW revealed the full card for their Friday, August 6 Summer Struggle tour show:
    NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team title tournament first round match: Shingo Takagi, SANADA & BUSHI vs. Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado & DOUKI
    NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team title tournament first round match: Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano & SHO vs. Yujiro Takahashi, Gedo & Jado
    Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi & Yuya Uemura vs. Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr. & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
    Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma & Satoshi Kojima vs. Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI
    Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Master Wato vs. Ryusuke Taguchi & Yota Tsuji
    Yuji Nagata vs. Gabriel Kidd
  • Impact Wrestling thanked everyone who made July their biggest month ever on social media: “July was our biggest month ever on YouTube, our biggest month ever on Twitter, our biggest month ever on Instagram plus we have a record number of @IMPACTPlusApp subscribers. Thank you for all your support and momentum!”
  • LuFisto is writing an autobiography titled “LuFisto: The Wounded Owl: Passion, Perseverance and Pain in Professional Wrestling” that’s scheduled to be released in spring 2022.

MMA

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Harley Race wins NWA United National Title

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