Daily Update: Brock Lesnar, G1 Climax, Fedor vs. Chael

By Joseph Currier
Published: 19 Jul 2018, 17:26

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Hogan takes first step towards WWE return

Nearly three years after being fired from the company, Hulk Hogan’s return to WWE took a major step forward on Sunday. After Hogan was spotted flying into Cleveland — which was apparently a failed attempt to avoid him being seen coming to Pittsburgh, where WWE’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view was being held — WWE announced on Sunday afternoon that Hogan had been reinstated into their Hall of Fame.

WON NEWSLETTER: (July 16, 2018) Daniel Cormier/Brock Lesnar fallout from UFC 226

Daniel Cormier and Brock Lesnar and details behind their proposed fight as well as how this relates to Lesnar in WWE is the lead story in the current issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The issue also covers the G-1 Special at the Cow Palace as well as G-1 notes for week one.

Look at why Cormier’s win of the heavyweight title is very different from his light heavyweight win, the arguments about the greatest MMA fighter of all-time and others in that discussion, as well as the drug testing issue, the Cormier-Lesnar angle, and the earliest date Cormier vs. Lesnar can take place.

Have a more in-depth look at how the WWE and UFC television deals went down.

Read about the WWE stock price, how this complicates talks of a sale of the company, and current market value.

Get the update on a lot of WWE injuries and returns, Dwayne Johnson and the presidency, Ronda Rousey advertising, Paul Heyman being at Raw last week and why he was there, wrestling becoming part of Kane’s Mayoral race, changes in the 2018 PPV schedule, and a second Jim Ross autobiography.

Read about the New Japan Cow Palace show, looking at the injuries to Hiromu Takahashi and Jim Ross with updates, thoughts on New Japan injuries, neck problems from the past and in other companies, why the injury probably took place, and what happened after the show with Jim Ross.

This issue has full coverage of UFC 226, with business notes, early PPV numbers, poll results and match-by-match coverage.

Read the updated thoughts on Extreme Rules.

Get in-depth information on the Enzo Amore situation after the police investigation ended.

Look at WWE’s biggest U.S. house show of the year so far in Madison Square Garden featuring Undertaker and Ronda Rousey.

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.

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THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

While this hasn’t been officially announced by WWE or the venue, the American Airlines Arena lists Brock Lesnar as one of the wrestlers that is advertised to appear on the July 30 episode of Raw in Miami. Lesnar hasn’t been on Raw since before the Greatest Royal Rumble in April. His Universal Championship challenger for SummerSlam will be decided in a number one contender’s match on this coming Monday’s episode, with Roman Reigns facing Bobby Lashley.
On this week’s episode of his Dinner with the King podcast, Jerry Lawler said he’s heard Howard Finkel is in really bad health and that, while he emphasized that he’s not sure of this, Finkel may have suffered a stroke.
WWE stock has remained above $80 per share since reaching that number for the first time. It closed at $82.12 today.
Taynara Conti defeated Vanessa Borne in a Mae Young Classic qualifying match at last night’s NXT TV tapings. Conti, who is from Brazil, was also in last year’s tournament and was one of the NXT wrestlers in the WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal this April. Conti lost to Lacey Evans in the first round last year.
Bret Hart continued his public back-and-forth with Martha Hart, Owen Hart’s widow, by posting a lengthy statement on Facebook. Bret responded to the statement that Martha put out after he criticized her for not allowing Owen to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Bret wrote that the Owen Hart Foundation is a wonderful charity, but he doesn’t think it should be the sole outlet to remember Owen and that his wrestling career should be acknowledged.
A really good profile piece on the War Raiders and their backstory aired on last night’s episode of NXT TV.
WWE posted video of a brief interview with Deonna Purrazzo from backstage at last night’s NXT tapings, with Purrazzo reacting to signing with WWE and being in the Mae Young Classic.
WWE unveiled Ronda Rousey’s first action figure and other new figures during San Diego Comic-Con.
On Instagram, Rousey joked about her hair and makeup from Monday’s Raw and posted her favorite memes about it.
At $124 million, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson finished fourth on Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list of the highest-paid entertainers. Floyd Mayweather was first at $285 million.
The State Journal-Register in Springfield, Illinois has an interview with Big E ahead of Sunday’s SmackDown-brand house show in the city.
WWE looked back at Kalisto’s botched “Good Lucha Things” promo from 2016, with Kalisto doing an interview to redeem himself in Worcester, Massachusetts, which is where the original promo took place.
Dolph Ziggler will appear on tonight’s episode of “Wild ‘n Out” on MTV at 11:30 p.m. Eastern.

Pro Wrestling

The G1 Climax continues at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo overnight/tomorrow morning, with Kazuchika Okada vs. Hangman Page headlining the show. The other A Block tournament matches are: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bad Luck Fale, Togi Makabe vs. EVIL, Minoru Suzuki vs. YOSHI-HASHI, and Michael Elgin vs. Jay White. The show will begin at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time and will be available for free via the Japanese commentary live feed as part of “G1 Fan Appreciation Day.” Here’s the full card:
Kazuchika Okada vs. Hangman Page
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bad Luck Fale
Togi Makabe vs. EVIL
Minoru Suzuki vs. YOSHI-HASHI
Michael Elgin vs. Jay White
Hirooki Goto & Yoh vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Sho
Kenny Omega & Chase Owens vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
Tetsuya Naito & SANADA vs. Juice Robinson & David Finlay
Kota Ibushi & Yujiro Takahashi vs. Toru Yano & Jado
Zack Sabre Jr. & Taka Michinoku vs. Toa Henare & Shota Umino
NJPW held a 10-bell salute for Masa Saito at Korakuen Hall at the start of today’s G1 show.
Northern California indie wrestler/promoter and former Global Force Wrestling roster member Virgil Flynn has passed away at 33 years old after suffering a stroke. Sonjay Dutt was one of the many wrestlers who paid tribute to Flynn: “RIP to Virgil Flynn. I remember finding clips of him on YouTube and instantly thought he was incredibly talented. I got the chance to work with him closely for a short while. My condolences to his beautiful family.”
Pro Wrestling: EVE announced Meiko Satomura vs. Toni Storm in a no time limit match for their Global Women Strike show in London on September 27.
Ayesha Raymond, who was in last year’s Mae Young Classic and lost to Toni Storm in the first round, will make her Women of Honor debut at ROH’s Honor Re-United tour show in London on August 19.
Due to a scheduling conflict, Juice Robinson is replacing Matt Riddle at OTT’s WrestleRama weekend in Dublin on August 18 and 19.
Tommy Dreamer took part in a media teleconference to promote Sunday’s Slammiversary XVI PPV.
Stardom’s Mayu Iwatani tweeted that she wants to wrestle at ROH & NJPW’s G1 Supercard at Madison Square Garden in April 2019.

UFC/MMA

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Chael Sonnen in the semifinals of Bellator’s Heavyweight Grand Prix will take place at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York on Saturday, October 13. That’s one day after Matt Mitrione and Ryan Bader’s semifinal will be held in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Ariel Helwani reported that, due to “undisclosed reasons,” Colby Covington is unable to fight at UFC 228 on September 8. Helwani wrote that the UFC is discussing booking welterweight champion Tyron Woodley vs. Darren Till for the show and potentially stripping Covington of his interim title. Till told MMA Fighting that he was offered the fight and that Woodley turned it down, but Woodley tweeted that no one has offered him anything.
Due to a broken nose, Volkan Oezdemir is out of his scheduled fight against Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 227 on August 4.
Sage Northcutt’s win against Zak Ottow last weekend was the final fight on Northcutt’s current UFC contract. He’ll become a free agent if he doesn’t re-sign within the UFC’s exclusive negotiation period.
Mark Hunt vs. Alexey Oleynik has been confirmed as the main event of UFC’s Fight Night show in Moscow on September 15.
Cortney Casey is replacing Alexa Grasso at the Fight Night show in Lincoln, Nebraska on August 25. She’ll face Angela Hill.

Daily Professional Wrestling History: Jenna Morasca vs. Sharmell at TNA Victory Road

12th Annual F4W Empire Vegas Convention

Greetings friends and fans of the F4W / Wrestling Observer website. It’s time to announce the details of the 12th annual F4W / Wrestling Observer Empire Las Vegas Convention~!

This year’s event will be taking place in Las Vegas from August 16th to the 20th and will again be in conjunction with WWE’s SummerSlam weekend a.k.a. Super China Buffet Day~! There will still be the usual events, but our big draw will be WWE’s summer blockbuster PPV, SummerSlam. As per tradition, we will all gorge ourselves at a Las Vegas buffet, and then watch SummerSlam in a rented out movie theater. All information and ticketing prices are available now. Sign up ASAP as spots are limited for some events.

This year will also feature a Future Stars Wrestling show which will include the first ever Granny’s Doubles Match Classic! Already booked for the show are the teams Mia Yim & Leva Bates, Shotzi Blackheart & ???, Samantha Heights & Brittany Blake, and Miranda Alize & Kylie Rae. Also appearing will be Kris Wolf along with many more future stars. There may even be a classic star or two making an appearance. You won’t want to miss this show! Check out the convention’s Facebook page for all additional information.

CONTACT INFORMATION

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