Daily Update: Five Star Wrestling postpones tournament

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

We’re looking for repots from the NXT show tonight in Orlando to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

We’ll be doing polls on three shows this weekend, the finals of the New Japan Super Juniors tournament headlined by Will Ospreay vs. Kushida from Yoyogi Gym in Tokyo which will be at 4 a.m. Eastern time Saturday morning, UFC 212 from Rio de Janeiro on Saturday night and WWE Extreme Rules on Sunday from Baltimore. 

IMPACT TONIGHT ON POP TV AT 8 P.M. EASTERN TIME

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.

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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.

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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).

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THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I have an interview with the Young Bucks about the current scene, their marketing of themselves and how it has grown, Being The Elite and much more up on the site right now. This weekend we’ll have shows on both Saturday and Sunday.

The Kazuchika Okada vs. Minoru Suzuki IWGP title match will be airing tomorrow night on AXS TV in the 8 p.m. hour.

La Mascara and Maximo will be appearing tomorrow night on The Crash show in Tijuana, after doing a run-in on The Crash show on Tuesday night in Queretaro.

Five Star Wrestling postponed their 128 man tournament that was to start on 6/10 in Liverpool. The talent was told it was because of the bombing in Manchester, which came across as insulting since that’s obviously not the reason. They now are claiming the tournament would be starting in February with a show on 2/1 in Liverpool at Echo Arena, 2/8 at the Newcastle Arena, 2/15 at the Sheffield Arena and 2/22 in London at the Copper Box Arena. (thanks to Stephen Lyon)

The Pro Fighters League, which is the remnants of the old WSOF, will debut on 6/30 with a show on NBC Sports Network from Daytona International Speedway. It’s a doubleheader from the Speedway a first they will air the Coca-Cola Firecracker 250 NASCAR XFINITY Series race and then will air four fights. The fights are Jon Fitch vs. Brian Foster, Ronny Markes vs. Smealinho Rama, Herman Terrado vs. Joao Zeferino and Caros Fodor vs. Jason High. They’ll also be doing shows on 7/29 in Everett, WA, 10/14 in Las Vegas and 11/4 in Washington, DC.

WWE

  • The NXT tour of the U.K. opens on Monday in Aberdeen, Scotland.
  • WWE taped a Table for 3 with Ric Flair, Bruno Sammartino and Bob Orton Jr. that will be airing after Raw Monday night.
  • Luke Gallows, Goldust and Corey Graves were filming for Ink. Inc. at the tattoo parlor that Gallows runs in Georgia this week.
  • A story about actress Ashlee White and how watching WWE has helped her in her battle with Lupus. (thanks to Chris Cruise)

UFC

  • Tickets for the UFC on FOX show on 7/22 from the Nassau Coliseum go on sale today to Fight Club Members and on Friday to the public. The scheduled main card is Chris Weidman (13-3) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (14-2), Dennis Bermudez (17-6) vs. Darren Elkins (23-5), Patrick Cummins (9-4) vs. Gian Villante (15-7) and Jimmie Rivera (20-1) vs. Thomas Almeida (21-1). Tickets are priced at $307, $182, $107, $82 and $57.
  • Rashad Evans vs. Sam Alvey and Dustin Ortiz vs. Hector Sandoval have been added to the 8/5 show in Mexico City.
  • Dana White said today on the UFC Unfiltered podcast that Cris Cyborg Justino will fight on 7/29 in Anaheim and also announced Sara McMann vs. Kelten Vieira for that show.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • New Japan will have a press conference on 6/30 at Marukai in the Gardena, CA location. Among those present will be the winners of the Dominion main events as well as all of the participants in the U.S. title tournament. Marukai is at 1740 W. Artesia Blvd. in Gardena and the press conference will be at 4 p.m.
  • Regarding New Japan World shows for this week, besides the Saturday morning Best of the Super Juniors finals, there will be a show a week from Friday at 5:30 a.m. from Korakuen Hall with all the company’s top stars as the set up for Dominion which is a week from Sunday at 3 a.m. from Osaka Jo Hall, which is the biggest show since the Tokyo Dome.
  • Bellator has announced an 8/25 show from the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY. Two matches announced are a main event of former welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov (19-2) vs. Chidi Njokuani (17-4, 1 no contest) as well as Brennan Ward (14-5) vs. Fernando Gonzalez (26-14). A.J. Mc Kee also returns on that show.
  • Dynamo Pro Wrestling has a show on 6/2 in Grafton, IL at the Loading Dock Bar and Grill. 
  • H20 Wrestling on 6/9 in Williamstown, NJ with Kevin Sullivan, Shane Douglas and Mad Man Pondo. The main event is Devon Moore vs. Drew Blood vs. Douglas. The show takes place at the Monroe Business Center at 1041 Glassboro Rd., Building C Suite 1.
  • Fighting Evolution Wrestling on 6/10 in coral Springs, FL at Coral Springs High School featuring Sean Waltman, The Headbangers, Elijah Burke (The Pope in Impact) and ODB.
  • Cleveland Knights Championship Wrestling on 6/3 in Parma, OH at the Cathedral of St. John The Baptist with Shane Douglas, Krimson and Robbie E.
  • Fox International Pictures is doing a wrestling comedy movie called “Walk Like A Panther” which is being filmed in Yorkshire, England. The story is about a group of 80s wrestlers who try and make a comeback to save the pub they hang out in. The idea was originally for a TV series but has been changed to a feature film. (thanks to Lee Wall)
  • A documentary on U.K. wrestler Flash Morgan Webster.
  • SWF on 6/10 in Atlantic City at the National Guard Armory in Atlantic City headlined by Alberto El Patron vs. Penta 0M, Jack Swagger vs. TJ Marconia, Angel Rose vs. Taya vs. Cheerleader Melissa and more.
  • CZW’s Tournament of Death takes place on 6/10 in Townsend, DE at the Marland Acre Farms with Jimmy Havoc vs. John Wayne Murdoch as the main event.
  • The Fight Network has Fight Nights Global 68 tomorrow at Noon Eastern from St. Petersburg, Russia, including Vitaly Minakov (19-0), the Bellator champion against Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva (19-11) plus the promotional debut of former UFC star Nikita Krylov. They also air Legacy Fighting tomorrow night at 9 p.m., which also airs in the U.S. on AXS TV.
  • Brew City Wrestling on 6/17 in Wapun, WI at the Community Center.
  • Ted DiBiase will be appearing on 6/9 at the Wrestling Shop inside the Wonderland of the Amercas Mall in San Antonio from 8-10 p.m.
  • All the Frank Deford Roller Derby talk has led to a lot of questions here, but this is a scene from the Mike Douglas show in 1974 with Bobby Riggs, who was a big celebrity at the time for his tennis match with Billie Jean King, working with Judy Arnold, who was a big star in Roller Games. (thanks to Curtis Minato)
  • An interview with Superstar Billy Graham.

Today in Professional Wrestling History (6/1): The Shield vs. Evolution at Payback 2014

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