Daily Update: CMLL firings, The Rock on SNL, Cyborg

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

Raw is tonight in Grand Rapids, MI. There is also a Smackdown house show on Monday night in Ypsilante, MI.

NEW JAPAN BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS TUESDAY FROM TOCHIGI ON NEW JAPAN WORLD (not live, should be up early afternoon)

  • Taichi vs. Hiromu Takahashi
  • Marty Scurll vs. Taka Michinoku
  • Ricochet vs. Dragon Lee
  • Jushin Liger vs. Will Ospreay

The Smackdown and 205 Live show will be taped on Tuesday night in Toledo.

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 5/15/2017: Looking ahead to WWE’s weekend in Chicago

With the Allstate Arena set to host NXT TakeOver: Chicago on Saturday and Backlash on Sunday, this weekend may be one of WWE’s biggest of the year that doesn’t include one of their four signature pay-per-views. There are things to look forward to on both cards. All four title matches at TakeOver should deliver on some level, with Tyler Bate vs. Pete Dunne boosting a show that probably would have still been fine without it.

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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: May 22, 2017: NJPW business up, ROH War of the Worlds review, tons more

An update on upcoming WWE big shows, the Braun Strowman injury and plans for his return, a lot of notes on New Japan business in a number of categories, the ROH-New Japan relationship, coverage of all the major shows this past week all over the world including first day Super Juniors, the life of Doug Somers and the age old pro wrestling style debate are the lead stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

The issue goes through plans for now as well as directions long-term for WWE, this weekend’s Takeover and Backlash shows, and booking for summer shows.

Plus, look at New Japan’s total revenue, growth, merchandise sales, Tokyo Dome goals, realities of New Japan World and why it has limitations as well as what has happened since the Tokyo Dome, AXS ratings for New Japan as compared with Impact, plans for broadcasting the Long Beach shows, the pro wrestling industry in Japan, updates on Tomoaki Honma and Katsuyori Shibata, the Hiroshi Tanahashi injury, as well as how business has done for several of the leading promotions in Japan this year.

Have a look at the ROH/New Japan relationship, coverage of ROH War of the Worlds with match-by-match rundown, poll results and star ratings, and the lineup for the ROH Best in the World show.

Check out UFC 211 and questions regarding drawing power of Stipe Miocic and Joanna Jedrzejczyk, a look at how Mayweather and Pacquiao became top draws, business notes for the show when it comes to ratings, PPV and live attendance and future booking direction of the winners, plus match-by-match coverage and poll results.

Read about a change in the broadcasting of Smackdown in a few weeks, what company’s spent the most this year on advertising on Smackdown and what the list tells you about value and ad rights, notes on the UK special, a list of a number of upcoming shows with Rock Lesnar, Dwayne Johnson updates including a poll on if he ran for President against Donald Trump. 

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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 24, 2000: Death of Masakazu Fukuda, legal battles in the wrestling world, tons more

New Japan wrestler Masakazu Fukuda passed away of complications from a cerebral hemorrhage at 3:28 a.m. on 4/19 in the Public Kesennuma Synthesis Hospital in Kesennuma, Japan after collapsing in the ring on 4/14 at a match in the same city with Katsuyori Shibata. Fukuda, 27, was rushed to the hospital when, after Shibata hit him with an elbow drop that he was supposed to kick out of. Instead he collapsed and began snoring in the ring, which caused everyone to panic. 

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MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight covering Raw and the rest of the news. You can send questions for tonight’s show to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com.

Saturday Night Live starring Dwayne Johnson was the highest rated show on television this week in the 18-49 demo, not just for Saturday but for the entire week. The show did 8.27 million viewers. It was the biggest audience for an SNL season finale since 2011 and up 58 percent from what shows in May 2016 averaged. This was also the most-watched season for the show since 1993-94.

CMLL announced today that Maximo Sexy, La Mascara and Bobby Villa have all been fired. Mascara was under the impression yesterday he was only suspended. Maximo and La Mascara were fired for being on the scene when Ultimo Guerrero’s car was destroyed in the Arena Mexico parking lot. Because the video tape of the incident came out, there was a significant amount of national media coverage of this. Bobby Villa was not in the video tape but somehow was implicated, but it should be noted that Ultimo Guerrero brought Villa into the promotion. 

At one point the plans for tonight’s Raw included Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins vs. Samoa Joe & Bray Wyatt, Matt Hardy vs. Sheamus, Alexa Bliss vs. Mickie James and a singles match with Elias Samson.

Regarding the odds last night, what is notable is that there were big plays that came in on Friday night that moved the numbers for everyone that ended up winning. But it wasn’t overwhelming and several odds shifted back, but not enough that it was clear the smart money was moving them. You can look in hindsight and see smart money came in on Friday, but the volume was less than usual.

WWE

  • A story on Mick Foley being inducted into the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame.
  • As far as mainstream interest went, Backlash was No. 6 in Google Searches with 100,000, which is better than a usual Smackdown PPV show does. NXT had less than 20,000 on Saturday and didn’t even crack the rankings. UFC PPV shows these days are almost all topping 500,000. Raws almost always do better than Smackdown shows. 
  • The WWE is sending Ric Flair, Kurt Angle and Charlotte Flair to the International Licensing Expo in Las Vegas this week.
  • The Smackdown brand will officially be going to Mexico in December with shows on 12/1 at Arena Ciudad, 12/2 in Merida and 12/3 at Arena Monterrey.
  • The Washington Post talks Dwayne Johnson and the Presidency. (thanks to Chris Cruise)

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Not exactly the best video, but this is the punch Cris Cyborg Justino threw at Angela Magana yesterday. Magana has pressed charges over the incident. 
  • Evolve from yesterday in Livonia, MI: Dominic Garrini b Alex Daniels, Chris Dickinson & Jake b Austin Theory & Jason Kincaid, Allysin Kay b Prisciila Kelly, Ethan Page b Donovan Dijak, Tracy Williams b Kyle O’Reilly, Keith Lee b Fred Yehi, Matt Riddle b Jeff Cobb to keep WWN title, Zack Sabre Jr. b Lio Rush to keep Evolve title. (thanks to Leonard Brand)
  • Glory 41 did 104,000 viewers on Ziggo Sport in Holland, way down from the 800,000 they did for the Rico Verhoeven vs. Badr Hari fight. Well, that would be expected. It’s still considered a good number. Sander Schrik, who announces UFC for Fox Sports Netherlands, and did WWE on Eurosport for a long time, did the announcing. (thanks to Henk Mulder)
  • Progress Wrestling announced an 8/12 debut show in Queens, NY at the ELMCOR Center.
  • Fight Club Pro from Friday night in Wolverhampton, England: Omari won four-way, Wolfgang b Joe Coffey, Kay Lee Ray b Kris Wolf, Chris Brookes & Kid Lykos won over Jim & Lee Hunter and Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz, Jordan Devlin won over Angelico, Eddie Dennis, Clint Margera, Jimmy Havoc and Dan Moloney, Shay Purser b Session Moth Martina, Travis Banks b Trent Seven to keep Fight Club Pro title. Shay vs. Martina was a fans bring the alcohol match since Shay just turned 18 (drinking age in the U.K.) and apparently that was a lot of fun. Good main event. (thanks to Jan Buxton)
  • Mr. USA won the NWA jr. heavyweight title from Arrick Andrews on Friday night.
  • NWA Mid South Wrestling from Saturday night in Dyresburg, TN: Johnny Morton b Morgan Williams, KSwiss won three-way over Convict and Wonderboy, Matt Riviera b Matt Taylor, Meklakov b Sharnkado, Greg Anthony & Morton & Taylor b Riviera & Jakob Edwinn & Mr. Chris-DQ. They run the Herb Welch Wrestle Plex in Dyresburg every Saturday night.
  • Best in the West TV from yesterday in Fresno: Kenny K won four-way over Al Azar, RJ Cruz and Danny Rocket, Dom Vitalli & Gabriel Gallo b Marcus Eriks & Sledge, Funnybone b Eli Drake. Next show is 5/28 at the Best in the West Training Center at 5494 E. Laomra #150. (thanks to Jon Southerland)
  • IPW UK from Saturday night in Rochester, Kent, England on Flo Slam: El Ligero b Dezmond Xavier, Livvii Grace b Chakara to keep women’s title, Big Grizzly b Angelico, Tom Dawkins & DND b Jimmy Havoc & The Nak, Jon Ryan b Cuban Heat, Jonny Storm & Jody Fleisch b CCK, The Hunter Brothers and London Riots, Scott Star b Sammy Smooth to win the IPW UK All-England title. Joel Gertner also worked the show (thanks to Dean Ayass)
  • Empire State Wrestling from Saturday night in North Tonawanda, NY: RJ City b Bill Collier, James Sayga & Nick Marek & Wes Adams b Patron Saints, Kevin Blackwood won four-way over Dick Justcie, Cloudy and Vince Valor, Anthony Gaines b Ryan Cassidy, Coconut Jones b Alex Daniels, Ron Falco b Big Cat Lemmer, Oliver Street Express won over Rochester Wrecking Crew, Hate Brigade and Cheech & Colin Delaney, Asylum b Nick Ando, Kevin Bennett b Brandon Thurston, Brian Christopher & Frankie Feathers b Jerk Cockins & Caesar, Braxton Sutter won three-way over Penta 0M and Michael Elgin. (thanks to Todd Brantley)
  • Prairie Wrestling Alliance runs on 5/27 in Edmonton at the Northgate Lions Center, 6/3 in Calgary at Century Casino and 6/24 in Edmonton.
  • National Wrestling League from yesterday in St. Louis: Thor Theriot b Party Crasher Spike Emmett DuBois b Neon Iverson, Xavier Crush b Party Crasher Boulder, Skyler Beckett & Javy Torres b Adam Ryan & Jackie Lee Bosch, Jack Foster b Ken Dharma, Dak Draper b Jay Lutz, Todd Letterman & Cornell Douglass & Brother Castle b Maverick & Davey Gibson & Matt Grundy. (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
  • Shane Douglas headlines for Pro Wrestling Phoenix on Wednesday night at the company’s 12th anniversary show at the Waiting Room Lounge in Omaha.
  • TCW from Sunday in Rozzano, Milano, Italy: Jacob b II Prescelto-DQ, Antonino Bellavita b Claudio Campari, Fenice Rossa b Backslash to keep Extreme title, Rocco Bioiello b Error to keep Revolution title, Darkness II won over II Marchesse and Scandalo to keep TCW Rebel title (thanks to Alessio Garbini)
  • Superkick’d Wrestling on 6/16 in Toronto at the Great Hall’s Longboat Hall.
  • NSPW on Saturday night in Quebec City before 710 fans: Kickin N Stompin b Marty Boston & Alex North, Travis Toxic b Surfer Mitch, Frank Milano b Big Magic (who did WWE as Johnny Ocean several weeks ago), Scott Parker b Michael Style-DQ, SOA Amin b Maxx Testosterone, Shayne Hawke won a ladder match over Pee Wee, Judas & Tony Tremblay & Joe Kovick & Jim Harrison, Matt Angel b Mike Bailey, Dylan Bostic b Michael Plante, Marko Estrada & Alex Price & Markus Burke & Matt Falco b Franky the Mobster & Handsome JF & Brad Alekxis & Benjamin Tull in a street fight. Shane Strickland was supposed to face Matt Angel, but because of the ring issues at PWG which delayed the show, he missed his flight from Los Angeles to Montreal. It would have cost the promotion $700 to $800 to rebook the flight, so instead, they contacted Mike Bailey and brought him in as a sub and Bailey and Angel had the best match on the show. (thanks to Patric Laprade)
  • Weekly pro wrestling quiz.

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