Daily Update: Brock Lesnar, Finn Balor, ONE Championship

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

WON NEWSLETTER: WrestleMania 37 details, WWE financials, more

A look at next year’s WrestleMania in Los Angeles is the lead story in the new issue of the Observer. We look at the back story, regarding why the city wanted it in 2021 and WWE wanted it in 2022 and how the compromise was made.  We note deals of the new stadium, attendance, the legit all-time company attendance record, , notes from the press conference and a look back at the previous WrestleMania in Los Angeles.

Also covered in the new issue:

2019 WWE business rundown in every category, what was up, what was down, how much the new television deals added in this year’s fourth quarter, why there is uncertainty about stock analysts about the company, and TV deals late in renewing,.  We look at how badly the value of the company has dropped of late, what analysts are saying right now and what they are has to be done to get the company value back up.

Roster expansion, why production costs are so much higher, the decline over the past year in both network and PPV revenue, the arena business, the NXT house show business, merchandise, licensing, as well as a look at the company’s revenue and profits annually dating back to 1994.

More on the firing of Michelle Wilson and George Barrios from WWE, return of John Cena, Three more new members of WWE Hall of Fame, Becky Lynch talks pay, what wrestler looks to be leaving, future of MVP in WWE, UK ratings, most-watched shows on WWE Network and details of the weekend main roster and NXT arena events with business notes, results and highlights.

New Japan’s next show in Madison Square Garden, who are the key players and more dates for this year’s G-1 tournament.

Full coverage of New Beginning in Osaka, with business and creative notes, notes on all the upcoming title matches around the world, the latest angles, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

XFL’s first week of television, the good, the bad, the TV deals and what it needs to stay at to be successful, plus live attendance and why the chances of survival are very different from the first time.

WWE Super Showdown, and Elimination Chamber shows.

Full coverage of UFC 247, with the background on the show, business notes, match-by-match coverage and poll results.

Regarding the Wednesday numbers, we’ve got full details, demos that each side won, how every segment did and what match ended up as the difference maker. 

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.

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.

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • NXT’s Keith Lee is the in-studio guest on tonight’s episode of WWE Backstage. Mark Henry will be part of the panel for the show.
  • WWE Champion Brock Lesnar has been confirmed for the next two episodes of Raw. Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada announced that Lesnar will be on next Monday’s go-home show for Super ShowDown, while the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York revealed that Lesnar will be on the March 2 edition of Raw. Lesnar is defending his WWE Championship against Ricochet at Super ShowDown on February 27.
  • WWE announced that Finn Balor will make a “special appearance” at NXT UK’s TV tapings in Coventry, England on March 6 and March 7.
  • NXT’s Jake Atlas will be in action at  EVOLVE 145 in Queens, New York on February 29th, EVOLVE 146 in Melrose, Massachusetts on March 1, EVOLVE 147 in Livonia, Michigan on March 14, and EVOLVE 148 in Chicago, Illinois on March 15.
  • JD Drake will face NXT’s Brendan Vink at EVOLVE 145. The match was set up by an angle where Vink confronted Drake during a backstage interview at an NXT house show.
  • Travel packages for this year’s SummerSlam in Boston went on sale today.
  • Rhea Ripley posted a Twitter thread responding to Charlotte Flair’s promo from last night’s Raw: “I didn’t scratch, claw, and fall down as many times as you did to gain respect?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I’ve made my name from absolutely nothing. I didn’t get my WWE contract handed to me on a golden platter because of my last name! I’ve nearly lost my job because a handful of people didn’t believe in me. I’ve been pulled out of class each and every day for months to be yelled at and told that I’m not doing well enough. I’ve sat in offices just to be told that I’m failing and ‘bringing others down with me’. I’ve nearly quit on multiple occasions… But then I remind myself, that I am not a quitter!…I have worked 7 and a half years to be where I am now and I refuse to stand down to anyone. Being humble isn’t the problem, I am humble, but I also know how dam good I am and what respect I and @WWENXT deserve! Come #WrestleMania36 I have no problem reminding you of where you came from.”
  • After the angle where Johnny Gargano turned against him at TakeOver: Portland, Tommaso Ciampa announced that he’s taking a social media hiatus: “Time to block out the noise. I will be taking a hiatus from social media for the time being. Thank you all for your support during surgery and rehab, and for the incredible reception during my return and throughout the journey to Portland. #WeAreNXT”

Other Wrestling

MMA

Daily Pro Wrestling History: WWF War to Settle the Score

CONTACT INFORMATION