Daily Update: Extreme Rules preview and odds, UFC 212, Cena

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

We’re looking for reports on these shows to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com:

  • WWE Raw in Trenton, NJ from Friday night
  • WWE Raw from Reading, PA from last night
  • ROH TV tapings from Chicago Ridge, IL from last night
  • WWE Smackdown from Glens Falls, NY today
  • ROH in Collinsville, IL today (Christopher Daniels defends ROH title against the winner of the Rumble earlier in the show; Young Bucks vs. Matt Taven & Vinny Marseglia, Jay Briscoe vs. Shane Taylor, Bully Ray & Mark Briscoe, Caprice Coleman & Rhett Titus vs. Silas Young & Mark Briscoe, Frankie Kazarian vs. Flip Gordon).

We’re also looking for your thoughts on these three shows, so you can send a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match from each show to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

  • New Japan Best of the Super Juniors from yesterday
  • UFC 212 from yesterday
  • WWE Extreme Rules from today

WWE EXTREME RULES PPV AT 7:30 P.M. EASTERN TIME SUNDAY ON THE WWE NETWORK

  • Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe vs. Bray Wyatt for a title shot at Brock Lesnar in July — This expected to be a long match to carry the show with lots of twists and turns. Reigns is the only one not expected to have a shot at winning. It’s pretty clear at this point that the smart money probably isn’t in, although there was a good deal of betting for Rollins yesterday and he is a -110 favorite. The rest are Samoa Joe at +145, Finn Balor at +700, Bray Wyatt at +1450 and Roman Reigns at +3000. This should be a great match given the nature of the five-way style and with the talent involved in a no DQ match with leeway on what can be done in a main event setting.
  • Dean Ambrose vs. The Miz for IC title in a title can change hands via DQ match — People are expecting a fluke title change and the one thing is most do figure it’s better right now for Miz to have the title. Right now Miz is a -195 favorite but was as much as a -700 favorite, which again looks to be people who figure things out as opposed to those who know. This could end with Miz’s plan to steal the title backfiring as well.
  • Hardys vs. Sheamus & Cesaro for tag titles in a cage match — The Hardys haven’t lost so far. The issue is that if the Hardys win again, this program feels like it should be over. I guess they could put Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson in this spot, and eventually The Revival, so there’s no necessity to beat the Hardys just yet. Still, Sheamus & Cesaro are -500 favorites. That’s likely because the Hardys won everything leading up to this match.
  • Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley for the women’s title in a kendo stick on a pole match — Bliss comes in as a -350 favorite. If Bayley was losing the title in San Jose, it makes no sense for her to win it back this early. That doesn’t mean she won’t. Bliss was as much as an -1800 favorite at one point.
  • Neville vs. Austin Aries for the cruiserweight title in a submission match — Neville has performed strongly as champion. But Aries has failed so many times that if he fails again, it kills the program. Still, Neville is listed at -500, probably because there’s been a tease of Neville vs. TJP down the line. Neville was as much as a -1400 favorite.
  • Rich Swann & Sasha Banks vs. Noam Dar & Alicia Fox — Swann & Banks are favorites at -188. Everyone knows it really doesn’t matter who wins here.
  • Kalisto vs. Apollo Crews (pre-show match) — No odds have been posted. Obviously Titus O’Neil in some way will get involved in the finish. The real question is will Crews come out of this match as a heel, or will his future still be up in the air.

Raw will be Monday in Wilkes-Barre, PA. There will also be a Smackdown brand house show in Elmira, NY, and the NXT European tour begins with a show in Aberdeen, Scotland.

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 5/30/17: How the WWE Network changed the pro wrestling marketplace

Though the service launched over three years ago, it’s still becoming increasingly apparent that the WWE Network has forever changed the pro wrestling marketplace. FloSports raising the month-to-month rate of its streaming products, including FloSlam, for new subscribers to $29.99 per month has most recently reignited the conversation about the pricing of wrestling broadcasts.

Subscribers click here to continue.

WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: June 5, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Record low Raw ratings, death of Frank Deford, more

A look at what the record low ratings for Raw mean and don’t mean, and the value of Raw to the USA Network, is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Also, have a look at legendary sportswriter Frank Deford, the current WWE creative direction, more on the push of Jinder Mahal in India, the promotion you’ve never heard of that just drew 58,000 fans to a show this past week and how they did it, and the Best of the Super Juniors tournament coverage.

Also inside is a rundown of the business over the past two months for WWE, Impact and ROH, and a look at the reality of cord cutting and what it means, WWE business metrics, DVR usage, why Raw’s ratings tell only a small story about its value to USA, the television industry as a whole, do ratings matter, and changes in the PPV business.

Examine my time working with Frank Deford and The National, as well as his career, and his work.

Plus, look at the next two WWE PPVs, the main event planned for SummerSlam, and the direction the title picture is going, and more on Jinder Mahal as champion, WWE’s worldwide decisions and the quandary of doing business in India.

Check out the KSW promotion and the angles and stories that drew 58,000 to a show this past week, including notes on their top stars.

There are updates on WWE Network and other promotions airing on it, William Regal talks what WWE wants in talent and puts over a Rugby League star signed and who he was high on that the previous regime saw nothing in, and the new system vs. old system, Hulk Hogan, WWE injuries, Cena’ return, box office for Cena, Batista and Rock, contract expiring for an international star, lots of new women starting with the company, Lucha Libre star signs with the company, new TV show the company is behind with three of its stars, new WWE product in marketing deal with other companies, longest winning streaks, and WWE U.K. deals.

Subscribers click here to continue.

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: May 8, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWF Backlash review, Sakuraba defeats Gracie, tons more

Mark Coleman was the big winner but Kazushi Sakuraba came out as the big hero in the highest profile MMA show in history on 5/1 at the Tokyo Dome. Coleman defeated Akira Shoji, got what amounted to a forfeit win over New Japan’s Kazuyuki Fujita and became the first man in nearly five years to tap out Igor Vovchanchin, who went into the tournament as the top rated heavyweight in the world, before 38,000 fans (ticket prices ranged from $950 for ringside down to $57 for the upper deck so the gate was several million dollars).

Subscribers click here to continue.

SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio, covering the Extreme Rules show tonight and taking questions that you can send to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com. We have one show for the weekend already up covering UFC and the New Japan Super Juniors finals.

Even though it appeared the interest level in UFC 212 was down from usual, and anecdotal bar reports we got were not strong for attendance, it did get 500,000 Google searches yesterday, third only to the London terrorist attack and the Pittsburgh Penguins. I think almost every UFC show this year has done 500,000, so it’s not indicative of a big number, but it also would be an early indication the show didn’t flop or do worse than anything else. For a comparison, Albert Pujols hitting his 600th home run only got 50,000. Kathy Griffin and Real Madrid did 2 million and 1 million on Friday.

For those who want to bet on what match will get the highest star ratings in the Observer, the places who do the betting on that are listing the main event five-way at -250, the Cruiserweight title at +150, The tag titles at +350, the IC title at +800 and the women’s title at +1000.

The complete New Japan Dominion card as well as Friday’s Korakuen Hall show should be announced today or tomorrow.

We send our sympathies to Lanny Poffo on the death of his mother, Judy Poffo, who was 90. Angelo, who passed away in 2010, and Judy, were married for more than 60 years, and that’s to me one impressive accomplishment.

WWE

  • John Cena will be on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on 6/9, likely to promote the debut of the new American Grit TV show. 
  • William Regal talks his relationship with HHH. (thanks to Martin Hines)
  • Even though not advertised, Naomi did work last night’s Smackdown show, but the Usos did not. Charlotte Flair was off last night’s show. Randy Orton didn’t work last night but he has this weekend off, so Jinder Mahal vs. A.J. Styles was the main event. 
  • A listing for the new Bruno Sammartino collection on the WWE Network that goes up tomorrow. (thanks to Chris Cruise)

UFC

  • As far as predictions from our panel for yesterday’s UFC show it went like this:
    4-1:  Me and David Bixenspan
    3-2:  Mike Sempervive, Josh Nason, Mike Sawyer, John Pollock, Paul Fontaine, Tom Lawlor
    2-3:  Steve Juon, Frontrow Brian, Ryan Frederick

MISCELLANEOUS

  • A first chance to see flips from the Impact tapings from Mumbai, India is this clip. (thanks to Himanshu D)
  • Dan Severn was on the Pancakes and Powerslams podcast and expressed interest in doing a UFC fight with Brock Lesnar. Severn is now 59 years old so I don’t see that one ever happening, especially since Lesnar is under suspension and has retired from MMA.
  • Gabe Sapolsky had controversy this past weekend as Shlak, who has worked for CZW, was going to debut on the 6/16 show in Ybor City for the Style Battle tournament-based promotion and also work a 6/17 show for FIP also in Ybor City. This led to complaints on social media as fans found photos of him with white power band members and there was a photo of him giving a Nazi salute, all done may years ago. Sapolsky said he was unaware and going to investigate, but before he made the call, Flo Sports told Sapolsky and WWN that they had received many complaints and would not allow any of his matches to be streamed, so Sapolsky made the call to take him out of the tournament. 
  • Empire Wrestling Federation from Friday night in Covina, CA: Super Beetle b Biagio Crescenzo, Zaida b Maritza-DQ, Mondo Vega b Lucas Riley, Super Beetle & Tyler Ray b HATE to win tag titles, Friar b Jorel Nelson, Fidel Bravo b Dicky Mayer, Andy Brown b Mariachi Loco-DQ. Next show is 7/14. (thanks to Scott Walton)
  • Break the Barrier will be 6/11 at 3 p.m. Eastern streaming live on Powerbomb.tv. There will be more than 30 independent promotions joining forces for this show which takes place at the GSW Arena in Old Forge, PA. Among the matches are Jigsaw vs. Fly Warrior vs. Chuck Taylor vs. Kenbai, a CMLL match with Triton & Guerrero Maya Jr. vs. Puma & Tiger, Colt Cabana vs. Orange Cassidy, John Silver vs. Tracy Williams, Buxx Belmar vs. Joey Janela and a lot more.
  • Independent promoters are attempting to get Louisiana to change regulations because the state requires an ambulance and doctor at all shows and has a ten percent gate tax. The people involved said that do believe wrestling should have some regulation, but feel that’s over regulation.
  • Jerrelle Clark, one of the earliest proponents of the 450, made his return on Friday in the Florida J Cup after a six year absence. Results of the I Believe in Wrestling show in Orlando tournament saw: Jonny Vandal b Carlos Gabriel, Aaron Epic b Carlos Rivera, Jerelle Clark b Chasyn Rance, Max Stardom b Jesse Neal, Johnny Vandal b Jerrelle Clark, Maxx Stardom b Aaron Epic, CT Brown b Faris Hakeem (non-tournament), Deon James won intergender Battle Royal, Johnny Vandal b Maxx Stardom to win the Florida J Cup. Vandal gets a shot at the Florida title whenever he chooses. Next show will be on 6/23 at Team Vision Dojo. (thanks to Al Haft)
  • Jeff & Karen Jarrett will be at the 6/25 Staten Island Yankees game to promote the Impact 8/5 house show.
  • Best in the West in Fresno is moving from KAIL TV 53 to CMAC Ch. 93 on Comcast and Ch. 99 on ATT U-Verse with a new time slot of Saturday nights at 7 p.m. They also have an iPPV on 7/17 in Merced, CA from the American Legion Post on Fite TV and their You Tube page. (thanks to Jon Southerland)
  • There is also a new Central Valley promotion called the California Wrestling Association in Oakhurst, CA at the Elks Lodge near Bass Lake. They announced shows on 7/8 in Oakhurst, CA at 3 p.m. as a kids friendly show at the Boys & Girls Club, and 7/30 in Hilmar, CA at the Hilmar Grange Hall with a DVD taping at 4 p.m.
  • FCW from last night in San Diego before 500 fans: Human Tornado b Sea Bass-DQ, Joe Hieken won over Corey Jackson, KC Douglas and Michael Hopkins, SoCal Crazy b Famous B, Jesse James & Hoss Hogg b Adrian Quest & Uptown Andy Brown, B-Boy b JT Dunn (really good match), Jacob Diez over Lio Rush, Douglas James, Donnie Suarez, Rocketboy Wilson, Biagio Crescenzo, Oracle and Eli Everfly to win the XRT title in an elimination match, Tyler Bateman b Brody King, Thunder Rosa & Holidead b Laura James & Heather Monroe, Rey Mysterio Jr. & Rey Hours won three-way over Penta 0M & Rey Fenix and Jeff Cobb & Bestia 666. Fun main event with tons of dives, including even referee Rick Knox doing a tope and super hot crowd. (thanks to Steve Bryant).
  • A letter to the editor of a newspaper regarding journalism and pro wrestling. (thanks to Chris Cruise)
  • Jack Swagger on Dutch Mantel on John Pozarowski’s podcast: 

His recent departure from WWE: “The main thing was my contract wasn’t up until January ’18 and they picked up an option (which they only had the option for) I didn’t have any control over it and they picked it up and extended it for another year. The timing of when they did that was when they took Dutch (Zeb Colter) away from me and put him with Alberto, so it was kind of like a two-fold punch in the face. About six months after that I felt like I needed to renegotiate and it was now the brand split again and moving me back to Smackdown, so I was thinking maybe we are going to do something and for whatever reason they didn’t like me over there so I said lets push the contract negotiations. Pretty much they told me that I deserved a raise and they wanted to sign me for another five years and into my 40s. What they were offering and what I had averaged over the decade that I had worked for them was way off. So after ten years with the company, I needed a change and like I said earlier I need to journey out and become the best professional wrestler I can but also I needed a change to make them miss me and want me back. I need to make them want me and the main thing is they were not growing my brand anymore. Bottom line. It happens and you can get angry about it but it is all business and it is all dollars. I was angry for a long time but once this all came down and I looked at it as a business decision so I understood their side, understood my side and we left on good terms and it is just something we had to do. I look forward to getting out there and showing everyone ALL of the Jack Swagger brand not just what they wanted to show you guys.”

Was taking Zeb Colter away from him the key point in knowing they were losing faith in the character: “It wasn’t the tipping point, it was just another thing added on to the long list of the same thing of where it is very hard to get momentum going and it is even harder to be natural like “We The People” had become. “We The People” was transforming into a whole different climate and it was no longer a political movement it was simply a movement for the people and it was not more evident than when I went out of the country and went to Mexico and these were the very people we spoke of so harshly and they would stand up and say “We The People”. It was such a cool movement and it transformed so naturally and they tried to cut it off on so many levels but it kept coming back. They took Cesaro away from The Real Americans and tried to cut off “We The People”, we turned baby face, we wrestle a Russian, we have one of the biggest match ups of the year and one of the biggest matches of my career against Rusev and I turned baby face instantly over night. That is “We The People”. After that, nothing and they cut the legs out from it again. I am not complaining because I am very grateful for the ten year career I had and that is way above average but it is just another thing because it is not my company and I don’t make the business decisions but one thing that Dutch always said about these types of things that I always took to heart was; “You can either do it or you can go start your own wrestling promotion.” So when you put it like that it puts it in perspective.”

Today in Pro Wrestling History (6/4): Lawler & Dundee win Southern tag titles

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