Daily Update: Ellsworth, HHH vs. Reigns in Abu Dhabi, UFC notes

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FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY:Figure Four Weekly 11/13/2017: AJ Styles becomes a two-time WWE Champion

Adding another accomplishment to his already phenomenal career, AJ Styles became a two-time WWE Champion at last week’s SmackDown tapings in Manchester, England. Styles defeated Jinder Mahal to win the title, putting an abrupt end to a reign that seemed destined to go longer. The switch came less than two weeks before Mahal’s planned non-title champion vs. champion match against Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series

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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER:November 13, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Chris Jericho makes surprise return to NJPW, GSP returns, more

The story of how the Kenny Omega vs. Chris Jericho match came to be, including what is and isn’t true regarding Jericho’s contract with WWE, is one of the lead stories of a loaded up double-issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. This issue also has coverage of UFC 217, NJPW Power Struggle and Impact Bound for Glory, an update on Survivor Series, a look at the career of Manami Toyota, and the last two months of business breakdowns for WWE, ROH and Impact.

The lead story details the announcement of Jericho vs. Omega, the video, the twitter feud, where the idea of the match came from and the steps that had to be taken to get it approved. Look at Jericho’s last WWE contract, what the nature of the NJPW deal really is, Omega’s NJPW contract and when it expires and his thoughts on 2018, and why NJPW made the match.

Check out the business of New Japan World, the lineup for the Tokyo Dome and why the matches are taking place, the goals for the Tokyo Dome, the NJPW return to the U.S. and pitfalls of the date and place, as well as a look the upcoming NJPW tag team tournament and full schedule.

Look at the return of GSP, the MSG UFC show, the three title changes, the PPV numbers, the live numbers, TV numbers, and other business notes. Plus, look at the future for the three weight classes impacted by the title changes and the reality of the GSP performance, full coverage of the show with poll results.

Read the update on Survivor Series, the Owens-Zayn incident that resulted in them being sent home, the updated card, ticket sales, and this week’s WWE title change backstory.

This issue has an update on the concussion lawsuit including new claims by attorney Konstantine Kyros about wrestlers who have suffered from CTE and living wrestlers having problems with dementia, more on Ric Flair’s 30 for 30, lots of news on the departure of Austin Aries from WWE, the common theme of those being let go, WWE star gets a new TV non-wrestling show and why this War Games is really nothing like the original.

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WON BACK ISSUE: October 30, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Death of Yokozuna, Bret Hart leaves WCW, more

Rodney Anoia, who was the heaviest superstar in the history of pro wrestling and a two-time WWF champion under the name Yokozuna, passed away suddenly on 10/23 in a Liverpool, England hotel room a few weeks after his 34th birthday. Anoia was the most successful of the huge Samoan clan of wrestlers started by Afa & Sika Anoia, his uncles, when they began wrestling in the early 1970s. He was one of the biggest stars in the business around the world during his WWF run, which lasted from late 1992 through 1996.

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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • After being released by the company, James Ellsworth thanked WWE for letting him live his dream and the fans for their support: Thank you @WWE for letting me live my dream,thank you fans for all the support, l’ll continue to prove #AnyManWithTwoHandsHasAFightingChance”
  • WWE has added another house show in Abu Dhabi for Raw’s brief tour of the United Arab Emirates and India next month. The event will take place at Zayed Sports City Tennis Stadium (with another WWE show taking place there the night prior) on December 8th, which was previously the date of their first show in India before that was canceled. Triple H vs. Roman Reigns in a rematch of the WrestleMania 32 main event is set to headline on the 8th.
  • “Macho Man” Randy Savage would have turned 65 years old today.
  • In an article for the Players’ Tribune, Charlotte Flair wrote a letter to her father about her career and continuing his legacy.
  • With Charlotte winning the SmackDown Women’s Championship, WWE has yet to announce who will be replacing her in the women’s elimination tag match at Survivor Series.
  • WWE and the city of Orlando touted that WrestleMania 33 generated $181.5 million in “economic impact” for its host city.
  • The Houston Chronicle has an article about Booker T and his Reality of Wrestling promotion.
  • Charly Caruso, Booker T, and Sam Roberts will be on the panel for Saturday’s NXT TakeOver: War Games pre-show.
  • The Rock called Bruno Sammartino the best babyface wrestler in WWE history.
  • Lillian Garcia, Torrie Wilson, Kelly Kelly, Cameron, Summer Rae, and Candice Michelle attended the launch party for the Bella’s Birdiebee clothing line.

Pro Wrestling

UFC/MMA

Today in Professional Wrestling History: Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk in an I Quit match

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