Daily Update: Chris Jericho, Okada vs. Omega, Nate Diaz

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FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 5/1/2017: The rise of Braun Strowman

It was somewhat fitting that Braun Strowman’s win against Roman Reigns in the main event of Payback came after the conclusion of a dreadful House of Horrors match between Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton. At the very least, it was a reminder of how far Strowman has come since splitting from the Wyatt Family last July. He has seamlessly transitioned out of the group and gradually become the most compelling character on Raw in less than a year.

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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: May 1, 2017: Vince McMahon movie in development, Mauro Ranallo/WWE situation, more

The idea of a Vince McMahon movie is actually going to happen and we’ve got some early details on it as the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter; an update on the situation involving WWE and Mauro Ranallo, a look at the next two WWE PPV shows, a guy who in ten months went from an opening round loser on Ultimate Fighter to a viable title contender, a look at the Hall of Fame career of Maurice Smith and the latest from PWG.

Find out who was behind the McMahon movie and how that has changed, as well as the Ranallo situation, what happened and the repercussions and the overall situation, and look at the lineups for the next two WWE PPV shows and the main angles.

Coverage of the weekend UFC show inside.

Check out Dwayne Johnson movie news, new characters being pushed in WWE and why, interesting business dichotomy involving the Indian market, WWE looking for new stars from India, Mick Foley surgery news, A.J. Styles talks his attempting to wrestle Shawn Michaels, Shaquille O’Neal talks why his match with Big Show never happened, Injury updates, wedding update with Dean Ambrose and Renee Young, WWE wrestler leaves for Japan, new gimmicks to existing wrestlers, Shane McMahon and UFC story, WWE with a Japanese icon.

There is more on WWE releases, WWE booking, WWE stock market value, most watched shows on WWE Network, and highlights of all the major TV shows and of the arena matches over the past week.

Look at the career of Maurice Smith, what makes it noteworthy, how he molded MMA, kickboxing and pro wrestling into a long career and one of the most landmark matches in UFC history as well as twice headlining stadium shows as a pro wrestler and holding a kickboxing world title for nearly a decade.

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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: April 10, 2000: Wrestlemania 16 reviewed, NBC buys into the XFL, more

Wrestlemania XVI, the first Wrestlemania that seemed to take on almost Super Bowl or Final Four level proportions as an American institution, turned out like many Super Bowls, with a flat crowd, a been there, done that main event finish ending a disappointing match, and with the exception of a ladder match, which was an amazing stunt show, it was probably not as good as an average episode of Raw. The show ended with Hunter Hearst Helmsley retaining the title when Vince McMahon, instead of Mick Foley, was the one to make the heel turn screwing The Rock at the end.

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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • As was expected given that he’s going on tour with Fozzy, Chris Jericho dropped the United States Championship to Kevin Owens on last night’s edition of SmackDown. There was also an angle after the match where Owens laid out Jericho to give reason for his temporary absence. Fozzy’s tour runs through May 28th and there are three other dates scheduled for June.
  • Owens defending the US title against AJ Styles was officially announced for the Backlash card after last night’s main event.
  • Hideo Itami’s first match on television since returning from injury is advertised for tonight’s episode of NXT. The show will also have a battle royal to determine the next challenger for Asuka’s title.
  • WWE began its European tour in Rome, Italy today. It won’t conclude until May 14th, with Raw and SmackDown both being taped in London next week. Titus O’Neil deleted a picture that he had posted from Rome with both Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman in it.
  • Corey Graves tweeted after making a veiled reference on commentary during 205 Live to a situation from earlier this year where a woman posted messages that Tom Phillips sent her on Instagram: “If you can’t bust your best friends’ chops, whose chops can you bust?”
  • Jerry Lawler discussed the House of Horrors match between Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt not living up to his expectations on his podcast this week.
  • Rolling Stone interviewed Tye Dillinger about his road to the main roster.
  • CNBC has an article on Linda McMahon.
  • Rocket League is sponsoring SmackDown’s Backlash PPV.

Pro Wrestling

  • The much-anticipated rematch between Kazuchika Okada and Kenny Omega appears to be on the horizon. Okada called Omega into the ring to set up the match after successfully defending his title against Bad Luck Fale at Wrestling Dontaku. Their rematch would likely be earmarked for Dominion on June 11th, and Okada pointed to that being the direction in an interview after Dontaku.
  • Next year’s Wrestling Dontaku will be two shows that will take place on back-to-back days at the Fukuoka International Center.
  • Jeff Cobb is the fifth confirmed entrant for PROGRESS Wrestling’s Super Strong Style 16 tournament.
  • Will Ospreay was announced for Revolution Pro Wrestling’s British J-Cup.
  • WTNH News in Connecticut ran a story on a charity wrestling show where the person behind the event apparently didn’t donate money to the charity or pay the wrestlers for their expenses.
  • AIW posted an update about co-owner Chris Bryan (Chandler Biggins) who has been in the hospital: “He is awake, alert, and can not believe Shayna Baszler visited him in the hospital.”

UFC/MMA

  • Nate Diaz made an appearance on a special edition of the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani today. Diaz hasn’t spoken publicly much lately, but said that he was offered a fight against Tony Ferguson at UFC 213 during International Fight Week and initially accepted it before rejecting it. Diaz took shots at Conor McGregor as well, saying that he feels like he beat him twice and McGregor should want a third fight against him. Diaz also said that he laughed at the UFC offering him a fight against Eddie Alvarez and was skeptical of McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather.
  • ESPN’s Brett Okamoto reported that contracts are signed for Robbie Lawler vs. Cowboy Cerrone at UFC 213 in Las Vegas. Okamoto also tweeted that Anthony Pettis vs. Jim Miller is set for that show.
  • Georges St-Pierre teased that his fight against Michael Bisping could take place at Madison Square Garden.
  • Dominick Cruz wants to face the winner of Cody Garbrandt vs. TJ Dillashaw for the bantamweight title in his next fight.

Today in Professional Wrestling History (5/3): AJ Styles wins his first IWGP title

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