Daily Update: The Crash, Bellator, Cena on the Tonight Show next week

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

This weekend we’ll be doing polls on the New Japan Cup finals on late Sunday/early Monday night. Tomohiro Ishii vs. Sanada takes place late tonight in the last second round match with the winner going to Sunday’s (late Saturday night U.S. time) semifinals against Katsuyori Shibata.

We’re looking for reports on tonight’s NXT show in Ocala, FL to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

The NCAA wrestling tournament started this afternoon. ESPN will airing tonight starting at 7 p.m. Eastern time as well as Friday & Saturday nights starting at 8 p.m. The current issue of the Observer has a preview of the tournament.

IMPACT AT 8 P.M. ON POP TV

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 3/13/2017: Impact Wrestling’s identity problem

With the departure of The Hardys and the beginning of a new era, the promotion formerly known as TNA Wrestling is once again trying to establish a new identity. That began on the first episode of Impact under the new regime, where they officially ditched the name TNA in favor of Impact Wrestling and promised to make the company great. Changes in ownership and creative as Anthem Sports & Entertainment took over meant that a rebrand was inevitable, but the timing comes just as TNA was finally starting to carve out a unique place in the pro wrestling landscape… Subscribers click here to continue.

WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: March 20, 2017: Situation with Broken Matt Hardy and Anthem Sports, Wrestlemania card, more

This is a major news issue of the Wrestling Observer, with lead stories including full details on the legal questions regarding the Hardys’ gimmick, why Impact made the move they did, with the arguments from both sides and why they happened when they did.

Also look at the U.K. television battle with updates on ITV and WWE plans in the market.

There is a rundown of the 2018 WrestleMania main event as currently planned and long-term goals for the company and the top talent.

A WrestleMania show update for this year is included.

News on top talent leaving WWE after WrestleMania, NXT to Europe, Nakamura main roster update, Dwayne Johnson talks WrestleMania, several WWE injury updates, John Cena’s schedule, a look at wrestlers and other athletes WWE had in camp this past week including an Olympic silver medalist, WWE Hall of Fame, Jack Swagger, post-WrestleMania plans, WWE value and most watched shows on the WWE Network, is all inside.

Check out a full rundown of all the WWE and NXT live events over the past week with business notes, results and highlights.

Other major stories are on the New Japan Cup, the state of ROH talent and popularity, the 15th anniversary show coverage, who was Dennis Stamp, just how big a difference PEDs are in UFC, how much the top executives and the McMahon family earned last year, and the Japanese national poll on who the greatest pro wrestling stars ever to work Japan were.

This issue also contains a WrestleMania week schedule.

WWE & ITV’s moves for television in the U.K. are examined, plus a major rundown of former and current ROH talent, what is happening with WWE, ROH business and full coverage of the PPV with match-by-match coverage and star ratings.

Coverage of the UFC show in Brazil over the past week as well as the WWE house show in Madison Square Garden is in this issue.

Details on the ratings for all of the national shows over the past week, including a breakdown of who was watching all of the WWE shows are inside.

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

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: February 21, 2000: 1999 attendance numbers, WCW turmoil, tons more

For the year, WWF increased attendance 20%. Monday night Raw ratings for the year as an average increased from a 4.40 average in 1998 to a 6.04 average in 1999, a 37% increase. PPV buy rates for the year increased from a 1.02 average in 1998 to a 1.25 average in 1999 which is a 23% increase. In 1998, WWF sold out 33.5% of its house shows while the figure increased to 63% of its shows in 1999. Average live gate per arena show increased from $188,482 in 1998 to $286,495, a whopping 52% caused by a combination of the increase in attendance and an increase in average ticket price from $18.84 to $23.84… Subscribers click here to continue.

THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

AXS TV has been pushing all week that the Kazuchika Okada vs. Tomohiro Ishii match which finished third for Match of the Year will be airing tomorrow night as part of two hours of 2016 G-1 Climax coverage.

Tickets for the ROH Global Wars shows on 5/7 in Toronto, 5/10 in Dearborn, MI, 5/12 in new York and 5/14 in Philadelphia go on sale at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Ticketmaster. Tickets are on sale now for ROH Ringside members. 

Scott Coker Tweeted today that Lorenz Larkin has signed with Bellator. That has been expected since he was leaving UFC and Larkin made his original name working for Coker’s Strikeforce promotion.

There were 80,709 fans through the turnstiles at AT&T Stadium for WrestleMania 32 says the Arlington, TX police department. Brandon Howard has a story.

Ticketmaster has just opened up more tickets for the 4/4 Smackdown show at the Amway Arena in Orlando after WrestleMania, that had been sold out.

The Crash has announced its biggest show to date on 4/5 at Juan de la Barrera Gym in Mexico City:

Rey Mysterio Jr. & Rey Fenix & Penta 0M vs. Cody Rhodes & Matt Sydal & Katsuhiko Nakajima

Garza Jr. & Blue Demon Jr. & Brian Cage vs. Carlito & Jeff Cobb & Bobby Lashley

Drag vs. Sami Callihan vs. AR Fox vs. Extreme Tiger

Willie Mack & Jack Evans & Mascarita Dorada vs. Black Tauro & Bestia 666 & ACH

Rey Hours vs. Laredo Kid vs. Mr. 450 vs. Septimo Dragon vs. Ultimo Ninja vs. DJZ

Sexy Dulce (Sexy Star) vs. Keira vs. Santana Garrett vs. Lady Maravilla vs. Candy White vs. Laurel Van Ness

Arkangel Divino & Black Boy & Zumbi vs. Ultimo Maldito & Black Danger & Astroluz

WWE

  • John Cena will be on the Tonight show on 3/22 to push WrestleMania.
  • Kurt Angle was a guest on The LAW: Live Audio Wrestling this week to discuss his upcoming WWE Hall of Fame induction and new Angle Strong app that he is behind for those with addiction issues. 
  • A Bruno Sammartino TV interview is here.
  • Emma and Summer Rae appear on eSports’ Celebrity Boot Camp on Twitch and Beam at 10 P.M. Eastern tonight. 
  • These dates were announced for out of Florida NXT live events:
    4/13 in Atlanta
    4/14 in Spartanburg, SC
    4/15 in Charlotte
    4/27 in Kansas City
    4/28 in St. Louis
    4/29 in Southhaven, MS (Memphis outskirts)
            Tickets for these shows are available right now with the pass code NXTLIVE for pre-sale and to the public they go on sale tomorrow.
  • 2K announced availability of Update 2.5 to WWE SuperCard – Season 3, the latest iteration of 2K’s popular WWE collectible card-battling game. Today’s free update, which begins releasing today for iOS and Android devices, features the WrestleMania 33 Tier – just in time to prep for WWE’s biggest event of the year.
  • With WrestleMania 33 around the corner, the new card tier will be the most powerful one yet and includes some incredible cards for players to collect and compete with across multiple modes. Players will encounter a variety of WWE Superstar favorites, including Triple H, John Cena, AJ Styles, Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch, while Mickie James, Ken Shamrock and James Ellsworth also burst onto the scene in their WWE SuperCard debut!
  • In addition to the WrestleMania 33 Tier, today’s update includes the second release of new “Attitude” emotes. Featuring WWE Superstars Brock Lesnar, Bayley, Braun Strowman, Charlotte Flair and Roman Reigns, the Attitudes can be used to taunt the competition in PVP matches.
  • Full details can be found in 2K’s blog post here.

UFC

  • While Saturday’s UFC show won’t be airing on FS 1, as it’s a Fight Pass exclusive in the U.S., the main card from the O2 Arena in London will air in Canada on The Fight Network starting at 5 p.m. Eastern Saturday afternoon. Jimi Manuwa vs. Corey Anderson is the main event. The Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson fight from last year will air on Saturday at 8 p.m., immediately after the live show, followed by Best of Pride.
  • ESPN has debuted promotional spots with Conor McGregor that will air across ESPN platforms through the end of the month promoting the upcoming Netflix original series “Marvel’s Iron Fist.” The spots have ESPN SportsCenter anchor Stan Verrett bumping into McGregor in the hallway, and then imagining himself as “The Iron Fist” and challenging McGregor to a fight.
  • Aljamain Sterling vs. Augusto Mendes was announced today as added to UFC’s 4/15 show in Kansas City.
  • UFC has also announced new shows on 7/16 in Glasgow, Scotland at the SSE Arena, 9/2 in Rotterdam, Holland and 10/21 in Gdansk, Poland at the Ergo Arena for UFC’s first show ever in Poland. 
  • Frankie Edgar will make his commentary debut for Brave 3: Battle in Brazil which takes place on Saturday in Curitiba, Brazil. 

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Former UFC fighter Jason “Mayhem” Miller was found not guilty last month on felony domestic battery with corporal injury charges and a misdemeanor charge of violating a protection order. (thanks to Brian Reznick)
  • Chris Cruise will be teaching a class at the Community College of Allegheny County on 4/19 and 4/26 on the life of Bruno Sammartino. Cruise, a former WCW TV announcer who has also announced for a number of other promotions, is the current top and bottom of the hour weekend mornings and sometimes during the week news anchor on the Westwood One Radio Network. He also is an international broadcaster for the Voice of America network during the week. He can be heard on Sirius XM during the newscasts on the POTUS and Progress channels and on Bloomberg stations in New York, Boston, Washington, DC and San Francisco, as well as on about 750 other stations around the country.
  • What Culture Pro Wrestling results from Monday in London: El Ligero b Penta 0M, David Starr b Lucas Archer, Joe Coffey b Martin Kirby, Joe Hendry b Gabriel Kidd, Drake & James Kennedy b Prospect, Will Ospreay & Scott Wainwright b South Coast Connection, Rampage b Bad Bones in a last man standing match, Viper b Kay Lee Ray, Travis Banks b Doug Williams, Cody Rhodes DDQ Matt Riddle for the Internet championship.
  • The book “When It Was Big Time,” an awesome history of pro wrestling in Northern California, concentrating on the Roy Shire years, is available. If you are a fan of wrestling history, this book is a must.
  • Absolute Intense Wrestling on 4/8 in Mentor-on-the-Lake, OH at Tequila Jaxx. They also run 3/234 in Cleveland at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel with Scott Norton vs. Joey Janela, Swoggle vs. Eddie Kingston and Colt Cabana vs. Ethan Page.
  • Art of War Wrestling on Saturday night in Clarksville, TN at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center is headlined by Jeff Hardy vs. Bram. Also appearing are Jeff & Karen Jarrett, Crimson, Sam Shaw, Crazzy Steve, Rockstar Spud and Chelsea Green. 
  • Jeff Hardy will also be hosting an after-party at OConnor’s Irish Pub on 3/18 performing songs off his latest LP. You must be 21 and over to attend.
  • AAW’s show tomorrow night in Berwyn, IL at the Eagles Club headlined by Sami Callihan vs. Low Ki and Penta 0M vs. ACH is sold out.
  • Pro Wrestling Revolution on 4/15 in Santa Rosa, CA at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium featuring Atlantis, Octagon and Juventud Guerrera. There is also a match with Ultimo Panda, who I may have known in a different lifetime, against El Hijo de Trump.
  • Greg Lambert has a new book out called “Ropes and Glory: The Emotional Rise of British Wrestling.“
  • GWN on 4/30 in Hamilton, ONT at 241 Kenilworth Ave.
  • Boston Wrestling has an event at WrestleCon on 3/31 and 4/1 in Orlando with John Cena Sr., Shelton Benjamin and Dutch Mantell.
  • On the Germany version of Xplosion last week, as Samuel Shaw returned, the graphic read “Robbie E,” and later they announced a classic match from Against All Odds 2013 with Sting vs. Brother Ray vs. Brother Devon vs. Kurt Angle that was actually from 2009.
  • Mid States Wrestling on 4/8 in North Little Rock, AR at the Maumelle Event Center with Jim Duggan headlining, plus Tim Storm vs. Matt Riviera for the CWA title.
  • Gary Cappetta will be doing a stage show where he talks about his career as a pro wrestling ring announcer on Saturday night in Pittsburgh at the Steel City Improv at 7:05 p.m. He’ll also be in Baltimore on 3/25 at Un die Musik at 2:35 p.m. He’ll also be part of Wrestlecon in Orlando no 3/31 and 4/1. Cappetta wrote a great book about his life in wrestling. Justin Roberts has a cool book coming out as well. Interesting that the ring announcers, who are there but not so immersed inside often have the best perspective on the real business.
  • American Wrestling Entertainment on 5/6 in Waynesboro, NC at the High School as a fund raiser for the high school.
  • The MMA version of Jake Roberts will be facing Steve Kozola on Spike as one of the bouts on 3/31 in Chicago at the All-State Arena (where Jake Roberts wrestled often) underneath the King Mo vs. Rampage Jackson main event.
  • Hoosier Pro Wrestling on 4/1 in Columbus, IN at the 4-H Fairgrounds at 7:45 p.m.
  • Trey Miguel, Rayo, Gavin Glass and Sage Phillips were announced for a one-night pro wrestling iPPV welterweight tournament on 5/7 from Cleveland. They join previously announced Sammy Guevara, Ace Perry, Kevin Bennett and Sonny Vice. The show will be broadcast from Turner Hall in Cleveland.
  • Legacy Fighting Alliance has announced shows on 4/7 in Greenville, SC at the TD Convention Center, 4/14 in Shawnee, OK from the Firelake Casino and 4/21 in Pueblo, CO at the Massari Arena, with both shows airing live on AXS. The Greenville show is headlined by C.J. Hamilton vs. Jesse Bazzi. The Shawnee show features Myron Dennis vs. Rayn Spann. The Pueblo show has Ian Heinisch vs. Lucas Rota.
  • The NWA Smoky Mountain Cup tournament takes place on 4/8 in Kingsport, TN at the Civic Auditorium with Colby Corino, Facade, Toby Farley, Myron Reed, Tracer X and Axton Ray announced.
  • Team Vision Dojo announced they will have an open ring in Orlando over WrestleMania weekend on Wednesday from Noon to 7 p.m., Thursday from 8 p.m. to midnight, Friday from 7-10 a.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost per individual is $50 per hour and $100 for a group of two or more. Private training lessons are available. There are other times also available.
  • The Team Vision Dojo will also have these seminars that week:
    Robbie E on Thursday at 11 a.m.
    Marty Jannetty on Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
    Nick Eugene Dinsmore on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
    QT Marshall on Friday at 11 a.m.
    Glacier on Friday at 2:30 p.m.
    Eddie Kingston on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
  • Former TNA star Jesse Neal will be having surgery on Tuesday for a broken ankle suffered two weeks ago.
  • On last night’s episode of the TV show “The Goldbergs” on ABC, which is set in the 1980s, one of the girl characters made a reference to Randy Savage and run him down since he was one of the heroes of her boyfriend. (thanks to Joe Puccio)
  • There will be a show in Berwyn, IL on 3/25 at the Eagles Club headlined by Saraya Knight vs. Eddie Kingston in a street fight, plus Shayna Baszler vs. Shotzi Blackheart and Rosemary of Impact & Angel Dust vs. Britt Baker & Chelsea Green from Impact, plus Michael Elgin, Arik Cannon and Darin Corbin appear.
  • Blagoy Ivanov defends his WSOF world title against former UFC fighter Shawn Jordan live on NBC Sports Network at 11 p.m. Eastern on Saturday night from Verona, NY’s Turning Stone Casino, plus Lance Palmer defends his featherweight title against 15-0 Andre Harrison and Bekbulat Magomedov faces Donovan Frelow for the vacant bantamweight title. The broadcast team will include Todd Harris, two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison (who starts soon for the promotion), Bas Rutten, Randy Couture and Joey Varner.
  • Shimmer on 4/1 in Orlando on Flo Slam at Noon from the Live Events Center is headlined by Santana Garrett vs. Shayna Baszler.
  • Brian Hoops writes on the NWL promotion.
  • MLW and Wale are teaming up with NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING for WaleMania III at Tier Nightclub in Orlando, FL on Thursday March 30th. Tickets are on sale now.
  • New Japan Pro-Wrestling is bringing two of their top Junior Heavyweights, Ricochet and Will Ospreay, as well as the Bullet Club’s Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa to WaleMania III. Golden and Platinum tickets include exclusive access to a meet and greet with the four New Japan stars.
  • A limited amount of tickets for the meet and greet have been put on sale today.
  • But that’s not all! The New Japan crew will also sit in with Court Bauer and Mister Saint Laurent as part of a live MLW Radio podcast for all ticket holders! They will discuss all things New Japan including the upcoming American expansion PLUS there will also be a fan Q&A as part of the podcast!
  • Scheduled to appear on the live MLW Radio podcast:
    NJPW’s Ricochet
    NJPW’s Will Ospreay
    NJPW’s Tama Tonga 
    NJPW’s Tanga Loa
    NJPW AXS Announcer Jim Ross
    Wale
    MVP
    Dave Meltzer
    Conrad Thompson
    Alex Greenfield
    Ed Ferrara
    Marty DeRosa
    Sarah Shockey
    More to be announced soon!
  • After the live MLW Radio podcast ends, there will be a Vegas style after party featuring DJ Jamie Iovine spinning! Then, the main event of the after party: WALE will perform! It’s the wildest night of the weekend and you won’t want to miss it!
  • Bottle service is available for the after party.

WALEMANIA III SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY MARCH 30:

  • 6:30pm – 8:30pm Golden & Platinum Cocktail Party Meet & Greet with NJPW’s Ricochet, Will Ospreay and the Bullet Club’s Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
    Golden & Platinum ticket holders ONLY
  • 9pm – 11pm MLW Radio LIVE
  • Featuring: Court Bauer, MSL, Jim Ross, Dave Meltzer, Wale, MVP, Ricochet, Will Ospreay, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, Alex Greenfield, Conrad Thompson, Ed Ferrara and more! This includes a Fan Q & A.
  • ALL ticket holders (Golden, Platinum, GA)
  • 11pm – Closing: After Party & Wale Performance
    Wale performs!
    Vegas Style After Party with wrestling luminaries and DJ Jamie Iovine!
    ALL ticket holders (Golden, Platinum, GA & After Dark)
  • Tickets start at just $15 and are on sale now.

Today in Professional Wrestling History (3/16): WCW Uncensored 1997

F4W / WO EMPIRE WRESTLEMANIA GROUP INFO

BUS INFO:

  • The Empire bus to WrestleMania will cost $50.00 and will be round trip from Rosen Inn at 9000 International Drive 32819 (a few blocks away from Wrestlcon). THERE ARE ONLY 5 SEATS LEFT!
  • The bus will leave at 3:30pm (time subject to change) for WrestleMania and will leave WrestleMania no later then one hour after the show. If you would like a seat email Ed at f4wfan@hotmail.com or message him on the BOARD~! for Paypal payment instructions.

DINNER INFO:

  • WHAT: Dinner at Texas de Brazil
  • WHEN: Friday March 31st
  • WHERE: 5259 International Dr Ste F1, Orlando, FL 32819 at 5 p.m. (they may open at 4:30 for us)
  • WHO: All your best empire buddies, including BIG DAVE MELTZER
  • DETAILS: The cost of the dinner will be $68.00 which includes the dinner, salad bar, soft drinks and tea, and dessert, tax and tip. This is a pre pay dinner and you can send payment to paypal at Srjaialaiot@yahoo.com (please send as a gift to a friend). Payments must be made by March 24th (if you wait until after that, Ed will charge an extra $5.00 for being a pain).

Pro Wrestling Tees is now carrying our latest line of F4W shirts. Support the Empire~! Grab yours today!

CONTACT INFORMATION

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