Daily Update: Braun Strowman, Impact ratings, PROGRESS

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THE LATEST AUDIO

​F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly 12/25/2017: Looking at WWE’s women’s Royal Rumble announcement

The road to WrestleMania took a not-entirely-unexpected turn last week when it was announced on Raw that the first-ever women’s Royal Rumble match would be taking place next month. While there are still plenty of specifics to be worked out, the announcement itself made all of the sense in the world. The women’s division shouldn’t be an afterthought in the build to WWE’s biggest show of the year. 

WON NEWSLETTER: January 1, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2017 In Review

Our 2017 year in review issue of the Observer is up on the site, with full business coverage of the year as well as a breakdown of the biggest pro wrestling news stories of 2017, updating them with a lot of new information on them. There is a major feature on the history of New Japan Pro Wrestling at the Tokyo Dome, as well as an update on where John Cena at WrestleMania stands.

Have a look at the biggest crowds of the year, who has headlined the most major shows, where John Cena stands among the all-time biggest drawing cards as well as where other current WWE stars stand.

There is a PPV breakdown of the year, a breakdown of biggest live crowds and who drew the most, a look at the biggest gates of the year and an update on the ten biggest drawing cards in pro wrestling history.

Examine Vince McMahon’s stock sale, thoughts on buying an NFL franchise or starting his own league and the stock price concerns.

In this issue, an update with the planned main event for WWE’s PPV in March, update on Dean Ambrose, more WWE injury notes, T-shirt selling strong, Brock Lesnar’s schedule, Daniel Bryan update, Ronda Rousey update, former member of WWE Board of Directors is the latest major executive having to step down, Angle talks Jordan angle, Gerald Brisco awarded, plans for March, Velveteen Dream update, what WWE is looking for in talent right now, and the most-watched shows on the WWE Network.

There is also a huge feature on the history of New Japan Pro Wrestling at the Tokyo Dome dating back to 1989. Look at why the first show took place, what legendary video game character came from the first show, why there were so few stadium shows before the Tokyo Dome opened, and a look at that first show. Check out the first main event and the move that came from another sport to pro wrestling that ended up as the finisher of one of the biggest stars ever years later. 

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: December 11, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: ECW Massacre on 34th Street review, WWF Rebellion, more

Amidst rumors of the company being down for the count, Extreme Championship Wrestling put on a strong PPV show on 12/3, but more importantly, everyone was paid for one pay period (meaning everyone is now five weeks behind in pay). Nobody quit the promotion, which some had talked about doing if they weren’t paid again. The morale, which rises and falls based on whether or not the checks come, was said to be better coming out of the show.

SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

Pro Wrestling

  • Impact ratings were up for the second straight week for part two of their look back at the best matches and moments of 2017. The episode averaged 285,000 viewers, which was up from 269,000 for part one and the best number for the show since August. In what likely played a big factor, the last two weeks were the first time Impact hasn’t faced competition from the NFL since September.
  • NJPW has a 40-minute preview show with Kevin Kelly, Mark Warzecha, and Rocky Romero running down the Wrestle Kingdom 12 card.
  • NJPW also posted interviews with Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho hyping up their match at the Tokyo Dome.
  • Jericho announced that his podcast and the shows from his podcast network are moving from PodcastOne to Westwood One at the start of 2018. The most recent episode of his show was the last on PodcastOne, and Jericho noted that nothing else is changing aside from the places where it can be heard.
  • Cody Rhodes tweeted that he and The Young Bucks have a location confirmed for their 10,000 seat show, but the contract hasn’t been signed yet. Nick Jackson followed up by writing he knows the date for the show.
  • At their “Unboxing Live” event today where no matches were announced in advance, Jack Gallagher returned to PROGRESS Wrestling and challenged Pete Dunne for the WWE United Kingdom Championship. Will Ospreay also returned and challenged Travis Banks for the PROGRESS title. Both champions retained, with TK Cooper, who’s out of action due to injury, making an appearance and challenging Banks for some time later this year.
  • CBS This Morning ran a story on Kris Wolf and the success she’s had in Japan.
  • With Sid Vicious not showing up for his scheduled booking for AIW, EC3 and Gregory Iron dressed up as Sid at the show. EC3 also autographed some of the pictures of Sid that the promotion had.

UFC/MMA

Today in Professional Wrestling History: ROH Final Battle 2007

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