Daily Update: Coronavirus, Triple H, ROH Pure title tournament

DAILY UPDATE

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Are you interested in attending our annual F4W/WON convention? We will hold it during AEW Double or Nothing weekend. For more information, check this post for activities and prices.

WON NEWSLETTER: 40th Annual Awards Issue The results from the 2019 WON awards are in.

One of the year’s biggest issues, our 40th annual awards issue is out this week.  The issue covers these awards:

1) Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award for Wrestler of the Year; 2) MMA MVP; 3) Most Outstanding Wrestler; 4) Most Outstanding MMA Fighter; 5) Tag Team of the Year; 6) Best On Interviews; 7) Promotion of the Year; 8) Best Weekly TV show; 9) Pro Wrestling Match of the Year; 10) MMA Match of the Year; 11) U.S/Canada MVP; 12) Japan MVP; 13) Mexico MVP; 14) Europe MVP; 15) Non-heavyweight MVP; 16) Women’s Wrestling MVP; 17) Women’s MMA MVP; 18) Best Box Office Draw; 19) Feud of the Year; 20) Most Improved; 21) Most Charismatic; 22) Bryan Danielson Award/Best Technical Wrestler; 23) Bruiser Brody Award/Best Brawler; 24) Best Flying Wrestler; 25) Most Overrated; 26) Most Underrated; 27) Rookie of the Year; 28) Best Non-Wrestler; 29) Best TV announcer; 30) Worst TV announcer; 31) Best Major wrestling show; 32) Worst major wrestling show; 33) Best wrestling maneuver; 34) Most Disgusting promotional tactic; 35) Worst TV show; 36) Worst match of the year; 37) Worst feud of the year; 38) Worst promotion of the year; 39) Best Booker; 40) Promoter of the Year; 41) Best gimmick; 42) Worst gimmick; 43) Best book; 44) Best documentary

We have the top placings in every category as well as a list of winners of every award dating back to 1980.

The new issue also covers:

Coronavirus and an update on its affect on Japanese pro wrestling.

Young Bucks vs. Kenny Omega & Adam Page match and compare it to great tag team matches of the past, in particular Misawa & Kobashi vs. Kawada & Taue from 1995 and Midnight Express vs Fantastics from 1988.

AEW Revolution with business notes, storylines, match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

Preview Elimination Chamber with early business notes and the current demand.

Folding of the Wrestle-1 promotion.

WWE and All Japan, WrestleMania ticket sales and secondary market interest, update on WrestleMania show, Jeff Hardy, John Layfield in the Hall of Fame, XFL ratings updates, Injuries and other WWE absences, notes on a new WWE wrestler who just had his first match this past week, Renee Young talks her situation and Jon Moxley, next MSG show, Notes on the Tampa Takeover show, company value, most-watched shows on WWE Network, and a rundown of all the WWE and NXT live events over the past week with highlights and business notes.

Saturday’s UFC show, looking at the key matches and stories, business notes and match-by-match coverage.

Regarding the Wednesday numbers, we’ve got full details, demos that each side won, how every segment did and what match ended up as the difference maker. 

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.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

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.

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Tampa news anchor Ryan Bass tweeted that “@CityofTampa and [mayor] @JaneCastor will meet on Thursday to discuss canceling or postponing ‘major’ events due to #Coronavirus. This weekend’s River O’Green fest isn’t likely to be canceled.”
  • WWE filmed a brief video with Braun Strowman discussing the importance of practicing good hygiene amid the coronavirus outbreak and telling everyone to “Wash These Hands.”
  • On Twitter, Angel Garza joked that the coronavirus doesn’t exist after kissing a fan on the cheek during last night’s Raw.
  • WWE’s proxy statement for 2019 notes that — as of last month — Triple H’s new corporate job title is Executive Vice President, Global Talent Strategy & Development.
  • After losing to Riddick Moss on Raw last Monday, Ricochet was in action on last night’s Main Event tapings. He defeated Eric Young. Humberto Carrillo defeating Shelton Benjamin was the other match taped for Main Event.
  • PWInsider reported that Nia Jax is cleared to return.
  • Next Monday’s new Broken Skull Sessions episode with Bret Hart as the guest will premiere on the WWE Network at 10 a.m. Eastern time. The episode is part of WWE’s celebration of 3/16 Day, with Steve Austin also set to appear on Raw that night.

Other Wrestling

  • Due to coronavirus concerns, All Japan Pro Wrestling has postponed their shows through March 22.
  • When asked about the coronavirus outbreak by TMZ, Chris Jericho called the situation “mass hysteria” and said that — unless they’re told that they can’t — Fozzy’s tour shows will go on as scheduled.
  • GCW’s Brett Lauderdale tweeted about the coronavirus situation: “Sending out good vibes (and asking for them in return) this morning to all my friends and colleagues and even my competitors that are stressing right now. We’ve all worked so hard and invested so much in these upcoming events and unlike the big guys we don’t have insurance policies to back us up. For alot of us, everything we have worked for is on the line. We are independent. We are small businesses with big dreams and literal years of hard work is on the line. The show will go on until someone tells us the show can’t go on, and we will work hard to cross the finish line and deliver everything as promised. So let’s spread some positivity today and block out the fear and panic and hysteria and keep pushing forward together.”
  • Jordynne Grace has pulled out of her booking for Venom Championship Wrestling this Saturday: “I have unfortunately made the decision to pull out of Venom Championship Wrestling 3/14. With my wedding being less than two weeks away and many elderly family members attending, I don’t want to take any chances with their health. My apologies, but I will be back soon!”
  • OTT Wrestling issued a statement noting that their ScrapperMania shows this weekend are currently scheduled to go on as planned. OTT asked fans not to attend if they feel unwell with coronavirus symptoms, if they’ve traveled to Ireland from an area with presumed ongoing community transmission in the last 14 days, or if in the past 14 days they have been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with coronavirus.
  • OTT released their hype video for David Starr vs. Jon Moxley at ScrapperMania 6.
  • Jay Lethal is the final entrant for ROH’s Pure title tournament.
  • Rush & Dragon Lee vs. The Briscoes is set for ROH Battlestarr 2020 in New York City on April 23.
  • Hideki Suzuki vs. Thomas Santell, Erik Hammer vs. Calder McColl, Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Matt Makowski, and Jeff Cobb vs. JR Kratos are the first round matches for the Gotch-Robinson Cup tournament at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport III in Tampa on April 2.
  • Great Big Story released a video on Nyla Rose breaking barriers for herself and others.
  • Alicia Atout has an interview with Matt Hardy.
  • Stu Saks announced that he’s retiring as editor and publisher of Pro Wrestling Illustrated as of June 5.

MMA

  • Ohio Athletic Commission executive director Bernie Profato issued a statement to MMA Junkie regarding the UFC’s FIght Night show in Columbus on March 28: “Any issues will go through the Governor’s office and will be enforced by the Athletic Commission. We have not (sat) down with the UFC to discuss any alternatives yet.”
  • KSW announced that its March 21 show in Poland won’t take place in its previously planned form.
  • Khabib Nurmagomedov gave his thoughts on a potential Conor McGregor vs. Justin Gaethje fight: “Justin Gaethje and Conor, it’s a hard question. My opinion, I want Justin Gaethje, but I think (it’s) 50/50. I think you guys think (it’s) 50/50, too. Because it’s going to be stand-up fight, Justin is good, Conor is good on the standup, and I think it’s going to be 50/50.”

Daily Pro Wrestling History:Bully Ray wins TNA World title

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