Daily Update: Dynamite notes, WWE protocols, UFC 249

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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: Coronavirus cancellations, Rob Gronkowski, more

A story on the Corona Virus and pro wrestling and MMA shows around the world is the lead story in a double-issue of  the Wrestling Observer Newsletter this week.

We go through:

Where everything stood at press time for large and small promotions all over the world, as well as other sports. 

Which companies can survive this period the best and how this threatens the future of many companies and wrestlers, a well as WWE and other name indie talent that likely can’t be coming to the U.S. because of travel bans. 

This is one of the biggest stories to have faced the world in our lifetime, and it affects every business, but sports and entertainment businesses, like all, will take an unforeseen shock.

The issue also covers:

Rob Gronkowski and WWE, what is believed to be the extent of the deal, who is Gronkowski, his prior experience in WWE, what he had said about doing pro wrestling in the past and what kind of impact his being in WWE could have.

The series of copycat lawsuits filed by a number of legal firms against WWE, the claims in the cases and a response by Jerry McDevitt to the cases.

The situation with David Starr being pressured out of wXw and Progress, the attempt to unionize wrestlers in the U.K.  and companies that have jumped on board.

Full coverage of the Elimination Chamber show with notes on the show, updated plans for WrestleMania, business notes and match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

Update WWE PPV talks, Davey Boy Smith in Hall of Fame, salary of WWE’s top executives, the change in Paul Levesque’s backstage role, how talent contracts have changed, who owns the most WWE stock, XFL ratings and how this week changed the narrative, Cena movie delayed by a year of release due to Corona Virus, Rousey in WWE offices, change that was made in Friday tapings, Canadian ratings, UFC star talks about doing WWE, injury updates, more on a new athlete that just started, plus he most-watched shows on the WWE Network and details of all NXT & WWE arena events over the past week.

An extensive feature on Wayne Bridges, one of the biggest names in European pro wrestling during the 70s and 80s.  We look at his sports background before pro wrestling, how he could into pro wrestling, his unique role in some major movies, his Japanese tours and his time in North America, the history of the world heavyweight title as recognized in the U.K., plus his biggest run as world heavyweight champion, appearing on the big Wembley and Royal Albert Hall shows, tragedies in his life and much more.  This is a great history piece about an era of pro wrestling that a lot of U.S. fans aren’t aware of.

Complete coverage of UFC 248, including the show, what happens next, the judging, who the media thought won the key fights, and business notes.

Oregon wrestling in the 80s and its top heel, Rip “The Crippler” Oliver, who passed away last week. We look at the atmosphere when he first arrived, his life and career before Oregon, his attempts to leave and why he always ended up back, his records set, biggest feuds, extensive title history, the 1982 tag team tournament at the Omni in Atlanta,Billy Jack Haynes, Roddy Piper, Buddy Rose and the death of the Don Owen territory.

Update the situation with Scott Steiner.

End of an era, as after 41 years, Stu Sacks leaves Pro Wrestling Illustrated and a career in wrestling journalism that goes back 50 years to his childhood.

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.

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • WWE issued a statement to Sports Illustrated when asked if talent and staff are being tested for the coronavirus: “In consultation with WWE Medical Director Dr. Maroon, WWE Associate Medical Director Dr. Dugas and ringside physician Dr. Westerfield, as a best practice and precautionary measure all WWE performers and staff are required to participate in medical screenings prior to entering WWE’s training center, which is now operating as a closed set.” Sports Illustrated also wrote: “Additional contacts close with WWE have informed Sports Illustrated that WWE has established a series of protocols, based on guidelines set by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to minimize risks and protect its performers and staff. Due to the lack of testing for people in need, contacts close to the situation told SI that WWE is not testing those that are asymptomatic.”
  • The Bump aired as scheduled this week, however Matt Camp was the only person in the studio as the show focused on previous interviews.
  • King Corbin will be this week’s guest on After The Bell with Corey Graves.
  • Here is a clip of the upcoming WWE Untold featuring Dennis Rodman’s run in WCW. 
  • Booker T discusses Rob Gronkowski signing with WWE.
  • John Cena’s third children’s book, Elbow Grease: Fast Friends, will be released this fall.

Other Wrestling

MMA

  • The NYSAC said today that the UFC 249 event, which is set to feature the Khabib Nurmagomedov/Tony Ferguson title fight, can’t go on as scheduled in Brooklyn on April 18. The UFC is currently trying to find another location.
  • Colby Covington now says he’s not interested in a fight against Tyron Woodley, instead looking for a rematch against Kamaru Usman.
  • UFC Brasilia scored 672,000 viewers on ESPN, the lowest number recorded in the UFC era.
  • Ashlee Evans-Smith, who was scheduled to fight in London before the show was canceled, opened up about her experiences trying to fly out.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: WCW’s final PPV

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