Daily Update: Extreme Rules matches, Kabuki Warriors, AEW

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Goldberg vs. Undertaker set for WWE’s return to Saudi Arabia

With less than a month until the show, WWE has revealed the name and announced the first three matches for their return to Saudi Arabia.

The third show in WWE’s controversy-filled 10-year deal with the Saudi General Sports Authority will take place at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on Friday, June 7. It will air live on the WWE Network and is titled “WWE Super ShowDown,” which is the same name the company used for their event in Melbourne, Australia last October.

WON NEWSLETTER: May 13, 2019 Observer Newsletter: AEW UK PPV details, WWE wild card rule, more

An update on AEW distribution, PPV, television and streaming, is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Look at the full distribution around the world for Double or Nothing, as well as updating where things stand when it comes to television.

Look at pricing, preshow, who is carrying it, how strong ITV 4 is, how this compares with WWE’s distribution and probable viewership, where things stand with U.K. television, details on Casino Battle Royale plans, the main championship, updating the show and lots of new signings.

Go in-depth on not just the XFL television deal and finances, but the lessons of the deal and how the deal is a 180 from the UFC deal. 

Also look at the changes in Raw and Smackdown this past week, why they were made, where NBC Universal and FOX stand, WWE star power, how the European tour affected this week’s television, how it affects touring, plus updates on the Money In The Bank show.

Also look at the 2019 Best of the Super Juniors tournament, including what matches to watch out for, the schedule, the positioning of Will Ospreay, and the schedule.

Look at the two New Japan Dontaku events, what the events say about both Japan and U.S. popularity, the story behind Okada vs. Sanada, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

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

  • The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia is advertising the following matches for this year’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view, which is taking place at the venue on July 14. Whether or not the matches will happen remains to be seen:
    Kofi Kingston vs. Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton in a triple threat match for the WWE Championship
    Seth Rollins vs. Baron Corbin in a tables match for the Universal Championship
    Roman Reigns vs. Shane McMahon & Elias in a handicap match
    AJ Styles vs. Drew McIntyre
  • It was announced on last night’s SmackDown that Asuka & Kairi Sane’s tag team name will be “The Kabuki Warriors.” Paige responded to someone on Twitter about the name and noted that it was Asuka & Sane who chose it, though they wanted it to be Kabuki Girls: “You know it was the girls who chose their name right? Well technically they wanted ‘kabuki girls’ but it was changed to kabuki warriors. Chill”
  • Titus O’Neil noted that Lars Sullivan apologized to him and other members of the WWE roster: “@LarsSWWE I Applaud you for seeking out myself&Others on the @WWE Roster to not only Sincerely Apologize, But also seek Guidance as to how to move forward in being a Better Human Being than you were 9years ago. Nobody is Perfect Including Thank you @VinceMcMahon 4Taking action!!”
  • The Lucha House Party (Lince Dorado & Gran Metalik) vs. The Singh Brothers is set for next week’s 205 Live.
  • The WWE Performance Center’s YouTube account uploaded part two of their video series looking at Tommaso Ciampa and his recovery from neck surgery.
  • WWE stock closed at $81.22 per share today, which was up 1.54 percent from yesterday.
  • SBG Ireland MMA coach John Kavanagh spoke to the Irish Mirror about Becky Lynch and the star quality she carries herself with: “What I did notice when Becky walked out [at WWE Dublin] was that there’s this star quality. People are always asking me ‘what’s the difference between Conor [McGregor] and this guy or that guy?’ and it’s so hard to quantify. But it’s such a rare quality called charisma which only a handful of people on the planet have, and she has it.”
  • Ali told ComicBook.com that he’s noticed chants for him have been louder since WWE dropped his first name: “I can tell you there’s been a dramatic vocal increase of my name getting chanted during matches because it’s Ali. As a performer, sometimes I’d be wrestling and one side of the ring would be chanting Mustafa, while the other side of the ring would be chanting Ali and then it just gets muzzled out because no one knows what to chant.”
  • WWE Network News reported that three matches featuring Andre the Giant will be added to the WWE Network’s Hidden Gems section tomorrow, which comes after HBO’s documentary on Andre was uploaded to the Network. The matches are Andre vs. Jerry Blackwell in a Bodyslam Challenge match (AWA, 1980), Andre & Hulk Hogan vs. Bobby Heenan, Nick Bockwinkel, Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum in a handicap match (AWA, 1982), and Andre vs. Big John Studd (WWF, 1984).
  • A new mobile game called WWE Universe will be released on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store on May 28.
  • “On My Teeth” by Underoath is an official theme song of NXT TakeOver XXV.

Pro Wrestling

  • With AEW’s TV deal with TNT being announced, Tony Khan, Cody, Brandi Rhodes, The Young Bucks, Dana Massie, Kenny Omega, Britt Baker, and Hangman Page were in New York City today representing AEW at WarnerMedia’s upfronts.
  • The price for Double or Nothing on B/R Live will be $49.99.
  • Nick Jackson sent out a tweet calling this the biggest day of their careers and thanking the fans for their support: “The biggest day of our professional careers and we couldn’t get to where we’re at without the support from you fans. Thank you for helping us make this possible. Wrestling needs this. It’s time for a change! #AEWonTNT”
  • Cody spoke to Variety about the type of statistics AEW plans on emphasizing: “One thing we really strongly want to present is wins and losses mattering again in pro wrestling. That takes more than the W and the L column. We’re talking about percentage of times someone loses to this particular maneuver, percentages against somebody of this height, a whole by-the-numbers approach that really intrigues me. It’s not a cornerstone of AEW necessarily but it’s a great peripheral element we’re working on and that’s going to be exclusive to us.”
  • Chris Jericho cut an Instagram promo crediting himself for AEW’s TV deal and saying that he was training for his match against Kenny Omega at Double or Nothing instead of being at the upfronts.
  • Tickets for next month’s NJPW Dominion show have sold out.

UFC/MMA

Daily Pro Wrestling History: AJ Styles wins NWA title at Hard Justice 2005

F4W Empire Convention Info:

  • Ed in San Antonio presents PODER~! at the FSW arena on Friday 5/24 – Showtime is at noon – Main event: Bryan Alvarez vs. Logan Stunt
  • Empire dinner on Friday 5/24 at 8:30 p.m. at Texas de Brazil – Price is $82 – All you can eat meat and salad, sodas, tea, and coffee, plus dessert included
  • Empire suite party on Friday 5/24 for those who were not able to get the Q&A package – Price is $25

Purchase tickets here. 

CONTACT INFORMATION