Daily Update: Bryan & Rowan, Rachael Evers, MLW War Chamber

DAILY UPDATE

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Rey Mysterio and avoiding missed opportunity

Joseph Currier looks at Rey Mysterio’s current WWE run and the value he could still have to the company. Plus, Vinny’s TV reviews.

After three years away from the company, Mysterio made his full-time return to WWE last fall. His current run hasn’t been a failure, but this is the time when he’s freshest to WWE and the fans. That hasn’t really been capitalized on.

Mysterio won the US title from Samoa Joe at Money in the Bank, but his reign never got a chance to begin. He had to vacate the title after separating his shoulder. Wherever WWE was going with Mysterio’s son Dominick being by his side against Joe, that’s seemingly been dropped. When Mysterio returned, he was demolished by Bobby Lashley in his first match back.

Mysterio also participated in a number one contender’s battle royal last month, with Rollins winning and advancing to challenge Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. Mysterio defeated Zayn at Raw Reunion, though the segment was mostly about returning legends getting to appear. RVD, Sgt. Slaughter, The Hurricane, and Kurt Angle stopped Zayn from walking out. Mysterio then hit the 619 and a frog splash to get the win.

Raw Reunion capitalized on the nostalgia of returning wrestlers from previous eras. Mysterio appearing on the same episode as them showed how much of an opportunity WWE is missing with him. Even at 44 years old, Mysterio is such an incredible in-ring performer. He can still be one of the most marketable people on the roster and one of the wrestlers with the most mainstream appeal. He can still connect as a top babyface. He’s a Hall of Fame wrestler that still has a ton of value to the company. WWE moved on from John Cena too quickly when he should have had time left as a top star, and they shouldn’t make the same mistake with Mysterio.

WON NEWSLETTER: August 5, 2019 Observer Newsletter: WWE financials breakdown, AEW TV taping details, more

The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has details on WWE’s second quarter financials. Financially, things look great. But product popularity continues to fall, slowly but steadily.

We cover how WWE was able to beat most projections and bring in higher profits in the second quarter, even with most key metrics showing declines. 

We discuss how the company’s finances look going forward, as well as two big television deals on the horizon. 

We also have news on what could end up being the most important pro wrestling show of the year, AEW’s TV debut. We break down the two key busiess aspects to the story, and discuss what those in the TV industry expect in terms of ratings for the show. 

We cover Jerry Lawler’s lawsuit against Hardeman County, TN regarding the death of son Brian one year ago.

The new issue also covers C.M. Punk and the rumor mill that seems to follow him everywhere. We talk about the reaction to his discussion of AEW in a recent interview, as well as those who say they expect him to go back to WWE. 

We also have the latest on the SummerSlam card, and how the show is doing on the secondary ticket market. We also cover how the other WWE shows in Toronto that week are doing in terms of ticket sales. 

We have coverage of UFC 240 from this past weekend, and have business notes on nthe show, and also detailed television ratings for the prelims. 

There’s also a run down of the ratings of all the major TV shows, along with detailed demo info for the WWE shows and 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.

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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.

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • WWE uploaded a post-SmackDown video where Daniel Bryan said Rowan has nothing to do with the attacks on Roman Reigns. The angle continued last night, with Buddy Murphy accusing Rowan of being responsible for the attacks.
  • Murphy tweeted today: “I came to #SDLive from #205Live because I know I belonged…in a ring. I don’t care about who attacked @WWERomanReigns but if he wants to put his hands on me again, I have no problem stepping in the ring with him. Anywhere. And smile right in his face… AGAIN!  #BestKeptSecret”
  • Rachael Evers underwent surgery yesterday to repair her torn ACL. Evers tweeted: “Surgery was successful! Now let’s get to work.”
  • After being part of the 24/7 title segment on Raw, NXT referee Jessika Carr appeared on last night’s SmackDown and 205 Live. She was the referee for Ember Moon vs. Natalya and Humberto Carrillo vs. Lince Dorado. Carr wrote about her main roster appearances: “These past few days have been an absolute blur and more incredible than I could have even imagined. The train keeps chugging along as tomorrow we head into our #nxttakeovertoronto weekend! See you soon #nxtalbany #nxtbuffalo. Grateful. Blessed. Determined. Never satisfied. Keep on working, always more to accomplish, there are no ceilings. #wwe #nxt #wearenxt #sdlive #raw #natalyawwe #embermoon #205live”
  • WWE uploaded the trailer and a bonus clip for their Kofi Kingston episode of WWE 24 that’s debuting after SummerSlam on Sunday.
  • Pat Buck tweeted about being hired as a producer for WWE: “It’s been a wild 18 year journey of wrestling many matches, coaching many talent, and promoting many events.   Elated to join WWE and start a new chapter. Appreciate all the [love]!!”
  • The Miz will be on tonight’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live.
  • WWE posted a list of the events they’re putting on in Toronto this week.
  • Bayley spoke to Talksport ahead of her match against Ember Moon at SummerSlam.
  • WWE invited Zack Gottsagen, who stars in the movie “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” to next year’s WrestleMania.
  • Josiah Williams interviewed Triple H at the WWE Performance Center.

Pro Wrestling

  • MLW announced that their War Chamber match in North Richland Hills, Texas on September 7 will be Tom Lawlor, Marshall Von Erich, Ross Von Erich, and a partner vs. Contra Unit (Jacob Fatu, Josef Samael, Simon Gotch and a partner). It’s a War Games-type match, with two wrestlers from each team starting off. After five minutes, the team that won a coin toss will have their second teammate enter. There will then be alternate additions to the match every two minutes until everyone is in. The match can be won by pinfall, submission, or surrender once everyone enters.
  • AEW filed a trademark for “AEW Revolution” on August 2.
  • Jon Moxley told Nikkan Sports that he wants to wrestle at Wrestle Kingdom 14.
  • CHIKARA announced a partnership with Michinoku Pro.
  • Stardom DLC is coming to Fire Pro Wrestling World on August 22.
  • Chris Van Vliet interviewed Jimmy Jacobs.

UFC/MMA

  • An E:60 piece on Daniel Cormier will air on ESPN at 9 a.m. Eastern time on Sunday. ESPN released a trailer for it.
  • Dana White confirmed that Colby Covington will get the next shot against welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. White said that Jorge Masvidal will be offered a different opponent.
  • Holly Holm vs. Raquel Pennington has been verbally agreed to for UFC 243 on October 5. The PPV is taking place at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, which was the venue where Holm defeated Ronda Rousey in 2015.
  • Zabit Magomedsharipov vs. Calvin Kattar will be the semi-main event of the UFC’s Fight Night show in Boston on October 18.
  • Eric Spicely vs. Brendan Allen has been added to the Boston show.
  • Frankie Edgar is moving down to bantamweight and wants to make his debut in the weight class at UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden on November 2.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Kurt Angle wins TNA title at Hardcore Justice 2011

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