Daily Update: Dwayne Johnson gets married, NXT/USA, Tony Schiavone

DAILY UPDATE

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Seth Rollins wins Universal title at SummerSlam

Joseph Currier gives his thoughts on SummerSlam 2019. Plus, Bryan Rose’s Japan notes, and Vinny’s TV reviews.

This year’s SummerSlam main event was a pivotal moment in the career of Seth Rollins.

If that wasn’t made clear going into the pay-per-view, it certainly felt true in the moment. As much as headlining a Big Four PPV is a huge spot for anyone, Rollins’ match against Brock Lesnar came at a time when Rollins was at a tipping point. He could either win and regain his momentum — or his character would probably have to go in a different direction.

With how WWE built to their match, Rollins winning was the right outcome. He had been viciously beaten down by Lesnar in angles on Raw each of the last two weeks. After the second attack, a subdued Rollins vowed to be at SummerSlam and guaranteed that he would defeat Lesnar.

Rollins came through on his guarantee. After hitting his third curb stomp of the match, Rollins pinned Lesnar to regain the Universal title. The match delivered on a much higher level than Rollins’ previous bouts against Lesnar. Rollins was put over strongly and positioned as the current top babyface in the company.

WON NEWSLETTER: August 19, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Summerslam and G1 Finals reviews, more

One of the most shocking and heated angles in modern wrestling is covered as the lead story in the new Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 

We discuss the angle itself, how it came together, and what it might be leading to. 

Reviews of WWE Summerslam and NJPW’s G1 finals, plus tons of news are also covered this week. 

We have results and star ratings from SummerSlam, as well as data and analytics on who bought the show on traditional PPV. 

Of course we have star ratings and business notes on the final G1shows of the year, as well as the readers’ poll for G1 MVP. We also examine how this year’s tournament compared to last year’s from a business perspective. 

We have a story on some changes to upcoming WWE house shows. We also have notes on WWE PPV buying habits in major markets in 2019.

As you might expect, we also have complete coverage of NXT TakeOver: Toronto, as well as star ratings for the matches. 

Also in this issue, Ryan Frederick covers this past weekend’s UFC show, and we have detailed TV ratings and business notes on the show. 

We have full coverage of all the WWE television shows from the past week.

As always, we have in-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows,the key demos for the WWE shows and what can be learned from them.

We also have the 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.

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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.

MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight breaking down all the news and there is a lot of it. For tonight, if you have any questions regarding the AEW vs. WWE Wednesday night war or the TV deal with USA, send to me at dave@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com and I’ll answer it on tonight’s show.

The major aspects of the deal are expected to be announced on Raw tonight. At least that was the plan yesterday and it was what NXT talent was told.  The belief is the show will go live weekly from Full Sail University but that aspect has been a closely guarded secret.

Congratulations to Dwayne Johnson on his marriage to Lauren Hashian, his longtime girlfriend, yesterday in Hawaii. The couple has two daughters, who are 3 (Jasmine) and 1 (Tiana) and have been a couple for some time.

Tony Schiavone will continue to work for MLW as a deal was worked out between MLW and AEW for his services. WWE also made an offer for Schiavone.

All Elite Wrestling tickets for 10/23 in Pittsburgh at the Petersen Events Center and 10/30 in Charleston, WV at the Charleston Coliseum go on sale Friday. Charleston to me is going to be the toughest market to date to sell out instantly in.  Nice sized building and not a big population base, even though it has done strong viewership for AEW shows to date.

WWE

  • There is a WWE Night at Fenway Park in Boston on 9/3.  Fans will have the chance to receive a “The Champ is Here” T-shirt on a first-come first served basis.  50 fans will be selected for photos with Ricochet before the game.
  • Kurt Angle told Ariel Helwani that he thinks Brock Lesnar still wants a fight with Jon Jones.
  • R-Truth talks about his new found fame (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)
  • Kevin Owens talks King of the Ring.
  • Cesaro talks King of the Ring.
  • Kalisto and Gran Metalik both noted that their contracts will be up in ten months.

UFC

  • Daniel Cormier wrote on Instagram apologizing for his loss, saying he will now decide what he will do next.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • After a successful Expo Lucha this past weekend, Masked Republic, the promoters, announced Expo Lucha 2020 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia with the idea that it will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Rey Mysterio, Psicosis and Juventud Guerrera wrestling in that building with ECW.  It will take place on August 16 and 17, 2020.  More information will come in the fall.  More information here.
  • PWA from yesterday in Sydney, Australia:  Sam Osborne b Kai Drake, Richard South b Silvio Milano, Steph De Lander won four-way over Aaron Jake, Jay Sorbet and Ultimate Fighter Fudge, Matty Wahlberg b Danger Paul, Billy Preston & Jimmy Townsend b Jack Bonza & Kingsley, Shazza McKenzie b Xena, Michael Spencer b Rhys Angel, Mike Quackenbush & Mat Diamond & Paris De Silva b Adam Hoffman & Jessica Troy & Mick Moretti (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
  • Results from the WWN Recruitment camp tryout show yesterday from Port Richey, FL that they put on their streaming service:  Justin Taylor b Brandon Gore, Cameron Bra’nae b Kelsy Heather, Mat Rogers & Connor Braxton b Chris & Patrick Voros, Karam b Cam Carter, Kirk Aube won over Dean Cooper, Mongo, Alexander Thorne, Noah Gray and Weatherman Josh, Robert Baines b Leo King, Robert Daines b Aaron James, Chris Cruz b Robert Baines, Chris Cruz b Ezra Zelious, Deget Bundlez b Chris Cruz, Deget Bundlez b Scott Leduer, Deget Bundlez b Steve O’Reno, Jenna Van Muscles b Sammy,. Connor Rielly won over Elia Braatz, Manny Damingo and Justin Morales, Gia Roman & Rahne Victoria & Lavender Skye b Hayley Shadows & Shawn Reed & Chelsea Durde, JDX b Mike Micas, Anthony Gutierrez b Mike Donovan (thanks to Shannon Walsh and wrestlingwithdemons.net)
  • Results from the Pro Wrestling Zero Blast Festival in Kawasaki, Japan yesterday:  Shoki Kitamura & Towa Iwasaki b Shogun Okamoto & Yoshikazu Yokoyama, Sugi won three-way over Takuya Sugawara and Yasu Kubota, Rina Yamashita & Kohei Sato b Amazon & Yuji Hino, Arisa Nakajima & Asuka b Yoshiko & Kaho Kobayashi, Koji Kanemoto & Shinjiro Otani & Tatsuhito Takaiwa b Dick Togo & Masao Orihara & Ikuto Hidaka, Masato Tanaka & Hide Kubota b Chris Vice & Taru in an exploding barbed wire bat match to win the Blat King tag titles, Hiroyo Matsumoto b Nanae Takahashi to win the Blast Queen title in a no rope exploding barbed wire and tables death match (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
  • CWE from yesterday in Medicine Hat, Alberta:  Sigmon b Johnny Devine, Jordan Kingsley b Jordan Kage, Tony Kozina b James Tapia, Stormbringer & Montana Black & Kevin O’Doyle b Warlord & Jude Dawkins & Danny Duggan, Slave b Shaun Martens, Alix Zwicker & Kimberly Ford b Zoe Sager & Jade, Danny Duggan b Sigmon.  Next show in Medicine Hat is 11/23 with Juventud Guerrera
  • ACTION Wrestling from Friday night in Tyrone, GA before 255 fans:  Alan Angels b James Bandy, Kevin Blue & Chris Spectra b Matt Sells & Kavron Kanyn, Shawn Dean b Ben Carter, AJ Gray b Steve Manders, Logan Stunt NC Arik Royal, Marko Stunt b Billy Buck, Bobby Flaco b Liam Gray, Fred Yehi b Erick Stevens AC Mack b Slim J.  Next show is 10/5 in Tyrone, GA for a free show with Stevie Richards, Chris Hamrick and more.
  • Shane Douglas will be starting a podcast called “Franchised with Shane Douglas” every week debuting on 8/27,which would be the 25th anniversary of the Douglas win of the NWA world title where the threw the belt down and called it the ECW title, which debuted that title.
  • The Temple Theater in Tacoma, WA not only has the first round of the Super J Cup but on 8/23 has a Defy show with Jushin Liger, Juice Robinson and a meet and greet with Katsuyori Shibata.  The first night is sold out but there are tickets left for the second night.
  • Revolution Wrestling Federation 8/31 in Harrisburg, PA at the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center.
  • A story on the Battlefield fiasco where a show was run and people didn’t get paid.
  • An interview with wrestling writers Greg Oliver and Steve Johnson.
  • Bloomberg covers New Japan Pro Wrestlnig’s U.S. expansion.
  • A story on AEW signing Chris Van Vliet. (thanks to Paul Kacprzak)

Daily Pro Wrestling History: WWF SummerSlam 2001

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