Daily Update: The Challenge, Ronda Rousey, TLC

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FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY:Figure Four Weekly 10/9/2017: Recapping WWE Hell in a Cell

With WWE having an annual pay-per-view built around multiple Hell in a Cell matches, it’s only natural that they mostly just become standard matches that are surrounded by a roofed cage. But that wasn’t the case at this year’s PPV. Sunday night’s show was bookended by two great Hell in a Cell matches where the structure was essential in telling the story that was going on in the ring.

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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER:October 9, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Death of Lance Russell, HIAC preview, more

It’s a special issue of the Wrestling Observer this week with a lead story on the life and career of Lance Russell. Look through his life, both in and out of wrestling, going back to when he started being a fan, the people whose careers he made, comments from fans and others in the business, how he made the careers of Jerry Lawler and Dave Brown, interaction with fans, his thoughts on a number of subjects, decisions he made as the program director, his first mention in a national trade publication, his first year broadcasting Memphis wrestling and why it was so politically important, when he promoted and having to pack a gun, his time moving to WCW, the song about him, and my own interactions with him over the years.

Look at the next three WWE PPV shows and directions, as well as the next Takeover show.

There are also updates on Ric Flair, notes on how Jim Ross’ book is doing, an update on the concussion lawsuit and the judges’ ruling that hurts the case, Notes on Shane McMahon filing a suit claiming he was duped out of $500,000, WWE in India, Samoa Joe injury update, Nikki Bella Dancing With The Stars update, Brock Lesnar schedule change, Kurt Angle talks his future and wrestling, indie name likely on the way to WWE, update on Jim Ross and New Japan, more on Kane running for Mayor, and Randy Orton talks his current role,

This issue has coverage of all the WWE and NXT arena events, with business notes and highlights inside the rig.  

Check out AAA’s Heroes Inmortales show, how the company is doing and the story behind different people advertised who weren’t there.

Read details on the ratings for all the national shows over the past week, including breakdown of who was watching all of the WWE shows.

Results of the major league arena events held all over the world this past week, as well as notes on the various TV shows, all in this issue.

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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: September 18, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Raw/Nitro ratings war, NJPW vs. AJPW, more

In what was the most significant, and closest Monday night ratings race so far this year, a heavily criticized edition of Nitro on 9/11 scored the highest rating for the show in its regular opposed format since 1/10 and the closest margin between the two shows since 12/20. Nitro finished with a 3.20 rating (3.47 first hour; 2.93 second hour) and a 4.8 share. Raw did a 5.90 rating (5.36 first hour; 6.38 second hour) and an 8.9 share.

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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Today would have been Dusty Rhodes’ 72nd birthday. Both Cody and Dustin Rhodes posted happy birthday messages to their father on Twitter.
  • When speaking with TMZ Sports, Ronda Rousey wouldn’t answer if we’ll ever see her in WWE and said fans wouldn’t want to know in advance and ruin the surprise if it does happen.
  • The next season of MTV’s “The Challenge” will have some pro wrestling representation. It was announced today that The Miz would be the host of “The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars,” which will run for eight weeks and premieres on November 21st. The cast is composed of people from past seasons of the show going up against other celebrities. Ariane Andrew, who was Cameron in WWE, is one of the celebrities on the cast. UFC’s Michelle Waterson is another celebrity cast member.
  • Kalisto defending his Cruiserweight Championship against Enzo Amore is officially set for TLC on October 22nd after Kalisto won the title on Raw.
  • The clip of The Shield reuniting on Raw that WWE uploaded on YouTube has done exceptionally well. It’s currently closing in on five million views.
  • After Neville walked out of Raw on Monday, Kevin Owens posted an old picture on Instagram this morning of him and Neville together.
  • Owens will be the guest on Friday’s edition of the Edge & Christian podcast.
  • Bobby Roode vs. Dolph Ziggler is set for next week’s episode of SmackDown.
  • Roman Reigns spoke to The Mirror about The Rock, his program with John Cena, and potentially facing Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania.
  • The Tampa Bay Times has an article on Chris Jericho and how Fozzy has found their biggest success to date.
  • Ric and Charlotte Flair will be signing copies of their book at Variety Playhouse in Atlanta tomorrow at 7 p.m. Eastern time.

Pro Wrestling

  • Mark Dallas spoke to the Sunday Post about ICW’s Fear & Loathing show and their relationship with WWE. Dallas said about working with WWE: “I always thought of us being the rebellious company and they’d be the big bad WWE so I went in there with my guard up waiting for something horrible, but everything has been fantastic.”
  • The Young Bucks received their licensing contracts for the Bullet Club Funko Pops that will be available at Hot Topic next year.
  • NJPW’s English-language website translated Kazuchika Okada’s in-character comments from after King of Pro Wrestling. Okada spoke about facing Tetsuya Naito at the Tokyo Dome and Naito getting louder chants than him at KOPW: “’I think the Naito chants were louder. Look, I get it. People want to see something new. But that’s what every challenger hopes to bring, and they always lose. Hey, it’s fine. Pin those hopes for something new on him, give him energy to come at me with. Sorry though, it’s going to be me on top in the end.”
  • Pro Wrestling: EVE announced the blocks for their SHE-1 Climax tournament, which will take place at the Resistance Gallery in London across four shows on November 11th and 12th. Here’s the lineup:
    Block A: Nicole Matthews, Kay Lee Ray, Charlie Morgan, and Nina Samuels.
    Block B: Emi Sakura, Meiko Satomura, Viper (Piper Niven from the Mae Young Classic), and Jetta.
    Block C: Laura Di Matteo, Sammii, Jayne, Jamie Hayter, and Session Moth Martina.
  • WWN revealed some of their schedule for WrestleMania weekend in New Orleans next year, with their events set to take place at the Pontchartrain Civic & Convention Center. EVOLVE will run at 8 p.m. on April 5th. The next day has PROGRESS at noon, EVOLVE at 4 p.m., the WWN Supershow at 8 p.m., and Joey Janela’s Spring Break II at midnight. April 7th has PROGRESS at noon, and there are four more shows still to be announced for the week.

UFC/MMA

  • The UFC announced that Fabricio Werdum will now face Marcin Tybura in the main event of their Fight Night show in Sydney on November 19th. Mark Hunt had been scheduled to face Tybura, but he was pulled from the show due to an article where he opened up about health problems that he was having. The UFC said in a statement that they’ll require Hunt to undergo further testing and evaluations for any future fight. Hunt wasn’t happy with being pulled, saying that his comments were taken out of context. He claimed that he passed all of the medical tests and that the ongoing lawsuit he’s involved with against the company is the real reason for their decision.
  • Michael Bisping said that Tony Ferguson is a tougher matchup for Conor McGregor than Nate Diaz.
  • After suffering a knee injury in training, James Gallagher is off of Bellator’s show in Dublin next month. Gallagher had been scheduled to face Jeremiah Labiano. The new main event for the show is AJ McKee vs. Brian Moore.
  • A nearly catatonic fighter was allowed to weigh-in for Pancrase after a rough weight cut last week.
  • Today marks 20 years since PRIDE’s first show took place at the Tokyo Dome.

Today in Professional Wrestling History: Jushin Liger wins IWGP Junior Heavyweight title

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