Daily Update: Big Show, SmackDown top 10, Nate Diaz

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

​F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Rousey’s arrival highlights big Royal Rumble Weekend

The most newsworthy week in recent WWE history capped off with Ronda Rousey appearing at the end of the Royal Rumble on Sunday night. Instead of participating in the women’s Royal Rumble match itself, Rousey closed the show with an appearance that initially did little to reveal what’s next for her in WWE. She came out to “Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett, her old UFC walkout song, while wearing one of Roddy Piper’s leather jackets. 

WON NEWSLETTER: February 5, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Rebirth of the XFL, Ronda Rousey signs WWE contract

Coverage of some of what will be the biggest stories of the year is in a giant news double issue of the Observer this week.

Our lead story covers the WWE PPV appearance of Ronda Rousey, the plans for her, her training, why this was the perfect timing for WWE, a look at other fighting celebrities in pro wrestling, where she is most valuable to the company and thoughts on if she’ll be a success or not, including what has to be guarded against.

This issue contains the most in-depth look at the old XFL, Vince McMahon’s new XFL, what went wrong the first time, and whether the 180 degree about-face will work. Also, look at the differences in the landscape between then and now, and what the real keys are to success or failure.

Detailed coverage of the Royal Rumble, including a chart on both Rumble matches, records for the Rumble, business from the Rumble, who put the Rumble together, notes on the surprises, Rey Mysterio and his current situation, changes made the day of the show, plans for Elimination Chamber an updated WrestleMania card, and match-by-match coverage with poll results and star ratings.

Read about the Takeover show in Philadelphia, what did and didn’t work, business notes, probable directions coming out of it with match-by-match coverage and star ratings.

Look at the making of the Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic fight and UFC’s plans for as many as three champion vs. champion matches on the July show. Also look at the Cormier/Cain Velasquez dynamic with both men commenting as well as the new season of Ultimate Fighter.

Have a look at New Japan Pro Wrestling, with the Omega-Cody angle, a twist that wasn’t on television in Sapporo, ticket sales for Long Beach and putting that into perspective, an update on Hiroshi Tanahashi and when he’s scheduled to return, the Bullet Club breakup angle, the three different incredible sell jobs of the weekend and how they are different, the business from the two Sapporo events, the lineup for this week’s New Japan World live shows, and coverage of both Sapporo shows, with star ratings and poll results.

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 Meltzer, or by using PayPal directing funds to Dave@WrestlingObserver.com. 

Rates in the United States are $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com. For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52. If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.)

If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can choose one free classic issue, or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.

WON BACK ISSUE: January 22, 2001 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Fusient Media to buy WCW, sale of UFC, more

After nearly a full year of various rumors, negotiations, and several near finalized deals, the sale of World Championship Wrestling by Time Warner to Fusient Media Ventures was officially announced on 1/11, literally hours before the announcement that the final step of the Time Warner/AOL merger had been cleared. Fusient Media Ventures, a one-year-old company headed by Brian Bedol and Stephen Greenberg, who are best known for starting up the Classic Sports Network, and then selling it to ESPN where it became ESPN Classics, for $175 million, is the parent company. 

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Big Show appeared on Busted Open Radio yesterday and revealed that he battled a surgical infection following the hip surgery he underwent last year. He said if the infection had stayed or gotten worse, he would have needed a full hip replacement that would have likely ended his in-ring career. He said things are looking good right now, but it will be touch and go for another 6-8 months to make sure the infection doesn’t come back.
  • Whether the ranking system will be factored into on-screen storylines much going forward remains to be seen, but the first SmackDown Top 10 List was revealed on last night’s show:
    1. AJ Styles
    2. Charlotte Flair
    3. Shinsuke Nakamura
    4. Naomi
    5. Bobby Roode
    6. The New Day
    7. The Usos
    8. Becky Lynch
    9. Randy Orton
    10. Tye Dillinger
  • Naomi & Jimmy Uso advanced to the second round of Mixed Match Challenge last night by defeating Mandy Rose & Goldust. Naomi & Uso will next be in action during week eight of the tournament, where they’ll face Alexa Bliss & Braun Strowman. Lana & Rusev vs. Bayley & Elias is next week’s match.
  • Live viewing for Mixed Match Challenge peaked at over 70,000 viewers last night, which is up from last week. The episode currently has over 1.4 million total views on Facebook. The premiere episode has 1.9 million views, with the next two weeks at 1.7 million.
  • Shelton Benjamin tweeted that he had been unknowingly driving around for the last four days with a loaded gun that was left in the glove compartment of his rental car: “Thank you @Budget (LIT) for your great service of putting my reputation, freedom and quite possibly my life in jeopardy I’ve unknowingly been driving your car around the last 4 days with a F’N LOADED GUN in the Glove compartment!!”
  • Following a Daily Beast article that revisited a groping allegation against Vince McMahon from 2006, David Bixenspan spoke to one of the witnesses that was named in the police report.
  • Brock Lesnar vs. The Miz is being advertised for Raw’s house show at the Target Center in Minnesota on March 9th.
  • Wrestling DVD Network reported that “Shane McMahon’s Craziest Matches” has been dropped from the 2018 DVD release schedule.
  • The Orlando Sentinel has an article on Montez Ford and him giving back to the community.
  • CNN Money ran a positive article on WWE business ahead of TV rights negotiations.
  • Bloomberg also posted a story about the rights negotiations being a test for WWE business.

Pro Wrestling

UFC/MMA

Today in Professional Wrestling History: Ted DiBiase & IRS win WWF Tag Team titles

WRESTLING OBSERVER / F4W – WRESTLEMANIA 34 in NEW ORLEANS

Here we go again! It’s back to New Orleans for Wrestlemania 34 and a huge weekend of spectacular professional wrestling related fun and wackiness. EdinSanAntonio Productions along with the Wrestling Observer / Figure Four Empire~! is proud to present the annual Wrestlemania weekend trip details. This huge weekend includes a number of website “members only” events. Below are the two events currently scheduled. Click here for full event details.

WOR Podcast Taping:Purchase TICKETS for the Wrestling Observer Radio LIVE MAILBAG~!

  • WHAT: Wrestling Observer Radio LIVE Podcast Recording with Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez
  • WHEN: Friday, April 6th, 2018 – 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Doors open at 8:45 a.m. for VIP ticket holders and at 9:15 a.m. for general admission)
  • WHERE: The Bourbon Room, Royal St. Charles Hotel in downtown New Orleans; 135 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130

WO/F4W Brunch:Purchase TICKETS for the Wrestling Oberver BRUNCH~!

  • WHAT: All you care to eat brunch buffet on the morning of Wrestlemania 
  • WHEN: Sunday, April 8th, 2018 – T11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • WHERE: The Court of Two Sisters restaurant in downtown New Orleans; 613 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70130

CONTACT INFORMATION

Support the Empire~! with F4W shirts. Grab yours today!

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