Daily Update: Chris Jericho, Amanda Nunes, FS1 ratings

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WON NEWSLETTER: April 27, 2020 Observer Newsletter: WWE schedule changes, layoffs, and quarterly financials

We’ve got one of our biggest news issues of the year out this week, a double-issue with a number of bios and history features, updates on all the major promotion moves when it comes to scheduling and WWE business notes.

The issue also covers:

Changes in the WWE schedule, why the company changed plans after just one week, who benefits the most, as well as AEW going back too taping and details of that.  We also look at the next AEW PPV show, an employee complaints about WWE continuing, differences between what AEW, UFC and WWE are doing, what firing hurts the WWE perception and thoughts of people sitting it out, a doctor talks about what is needed to do these shows without a health risk and the WWE event schedule for the next few months.

A number of recent new WWE cuts, including some surprises, how the WWE dividend and Vince McMahon’s share fits into these cuts, projections for 2020 profitability if house shows don’t return for the rest of 2020, and why several people got cut.

The most in-depth coverage of WWE business, covering each department of the company, lots of Vince McMahon reaction to the numbers and the future, what McMahon said that is and isn’t true, the story behind the ratings and the story behind increases and declines across the board.  Plus we examine the WWE network numbers.

Changes in the business going forward.

Joe Pedicino and pro wrestling, how he got in, his early innovative ideas, how Nigerian scram, his promotion of Global Wrestling, how it fell apart, stars who got breaks there and lie after wrestling.

Oliver Luck’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon, what is it all about and how much the XFL actually lost before it folded.

HHH’s thoughts on two-night WrestleManias going forward, A.J. Styles talks Gallows & Anderson losing their job, Roman Reigns update, Ronda Rousey update, Arn Anderson talks why Cesaro doesn’t get pushed, Canadian wrestling TV ratings, story on a surprise on Raw this past week who was canceled after the show started, update on Drake Maverick, the Smackdown announce team, and the most-watched shows on the WWE Network.

PFL closing down for the year, why what they said publicly was somewhat misleading and why they are still paying fighters, as well as thoughts on shutting down.

A number of new stories on Howard Finkel, both people who helped out and people who bullied him and looking back on those situations.

The first UFC fighter announced COVID-19 positive.

Brawl for All, going behind the scenes, a look at the Dark Side of the Ring coverage, examining the coverage and looking back at the entire scenario.

Look back at the Jimmy Snuka/Nancy Argentino death case, look at Dark Side coverage and add a lot more that wasn’t covered.

A back-of-the-book feature on Dick Steinborn, who was a big star in the 60s and 70s, and his father Milo, one of the strongest men in the world and a wrestling promoter.  We look at Milo’s amazing feats of strength, as well as both the positive and negatives of the legacy of Dick in pro wrestling.

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.

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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

  • Today’s episode of The Bump featured Rey Mysterio, Carmella, Big E, Becky Lynch and “Billions” executive producer Brian Koppelman. Announced for next week is Tamina, The Miz, and Maryse.
  • NXT tonight will have Drake Maverick vs. Tony Nese in an interim cruiserweight title tournament match. Both currently have a 0-1 record in group A.
  • The ESRB website, which gave a “T” rating to the upcoming WWE 2K Battlegrounds, lists the game as coming to the PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Stadia platforms.
  • WWE Backstage last night once again failed to enter the top 150 rated programs last night on cable television. WWE’s Best of shows, however, did rank. The Best of John Cena at 7 pm ET had 124,000 viewers, Triple H at 8 pm did 220,000, Undertaker at 9 pm did 270,000 and Shawn Michaels at 10 pm did 217,000. The shows placed 147th, 112th, 94th, and 113th for the night respectively. 
  • Conan O’Brien took shots at WWE being deemed an ‘essential service’ on his show last night.
  • Jeff Hardy will be the guest on Corey Graves’ After the Bell podcast this week.
  • Today’s full matches uploaded to WWE’s YouTube page include John Cena vs. AJ Styles from Money in the Bank 2016 and the WWE Championship Scramble Match for the WWE title at WWE Unforgiven 2008.
  • Titus O’Neil turns 43 years old today. Vince McMahon wrote the following on Twitter: “A stellar athlete, a best-selling-author, a dedicated father and a world-class human being whose generosity knows no bounds. Happy Birthday, @TitusONeilWWE!”

Other Wrestling

  • Chris Jericho spoke to Newsweek about AEW returning to live taping in May. “I think everybody kind of wants to get back to work,” he said. “We’re trying to start slowly and integrate back into life and I think it’s perfect. Obviously, we’ll take precautions and all that sort of stuff but it’s time to get back on track and I’m looking forward to it.”
  • Matt Cardona, the former Zack Ryder, is teasing the return of the Internet championship. He recently filed a trademark for that term.
  • MLW today announced a partnership with INDEMAND that will bring MLW events to PPV starting in May. 
  • IWTV is launching a Deonna Purrazzo interview series called “Ventures of the Virtuosa” that will premiere on Thursday.
  • Notable birthdays for today include Jay Lethal (35), Paul Roma (60), and Aksana (38).

MMA

  • In an interview with Sports Illustrated, UFC Women’s Bantamweight and Featherweight champion Amanda Nunes expressed interest in a future WWE run once her MMA career is over. “Not right now, but maybe later when I retire. I’m open to it. Why not? I could try something new.”
  • Colby Covington wants a Kamaru Usman rematch, but would be fine facing Tyron Woodley again.
  • Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos is donating his PRIDE trophy, with all proceeds going to help people affected by COVID-19 in his hometown of Rondonopolis, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
  • Don’Tale Mayes vs. Rodrigo Nascimento, Cortney Casey vs. Mara Romero Borella and Giga Chikadze vs. Mike Davis have been added to the May 16th UFC card.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Inoki vs. Flair at Collision in Korea

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