Daily Update: Flair’s health status, Omega vs. Ibushi, Cole to WWE

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

We’re looking for reports on today’s Raw from Boston with the Main Event matches and any dark matches, the Smackdown house show in Springfield, IL, as well as the Smackdown brand house show from last night in Miami to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

We’re doing polls for all three nights at Sumo Hall this weekend so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match for today’s show as well as tomorrow’s show to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

We’re also doing a poll for the G-1 MVP and the G-1 best overall match dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

Smackdown and 205 Live will be taped on Tuesday in Providence, RI.

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: Figure Four Weekly 8/7/2017: Looking at Kota Ibushi’s G1 reintroduction

As this summer’s G1 Climax begins to wind down for New Japan Pro Wrestling, so does a stretch of matches that has further reminded everyone that Kota Ibushi is one of the absolute best professional wrestlers in the world. While that isn’t a surprising development, it was a necessary one after Ibushi’s relatively quiet last two years in pro wrestling.

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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: August 14, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Takayama paralyzed, WWE financials examined, tons more

It’s a double issue this week, with extensive coverage of the WWE business, breaking it down in every category, the sad story about the paralysis of Yoshihiro Takayama, G-1 coverage, SummerSlam weekend notes, and even Hall of Fame news.

Our lead story looks at the injury and the new life of Yoshihiro Takayama, going back to the May spot where he became paralyzed, his most famous matches, his career, the Don Frye fight and his big matches during the heyday of Pro Wrestling NOAH.

Our WWE business report looks in more detail than anywhere about the quarterly numbers. Look at how the network did so far this year compared to the past few years and how the different gimmicks played out, the difference in profitability of the network vs. PPV, the exact numbers of cancellations this year as compared to the past, the remaining WWE PPV business, real attendance figures for WrestleMania, social media numbers, sponsorship numbers, where the revenue comes from, and breaking down every single revenue stream.

Look at WrestleMania business, what parts of the business are up or down, the costs and revenues per episode of Total Divas, the reality vs. fantasy of the decline in television ratings, the house show business for WWE and NXT, comparing the last two WrestleManias as well as the movie studio numbers.

There is in-depth coverage of G-1, looking at this year’s booking, the updated standings, star ratings and business notes for every show this past week, thoughts on how to change G-1 for the better next year, the Sumo Hall cards, future fall title matches, the injury to Evil and the best matches of the tournament so far.

Inside is an update on SummerSlam and NXT, as well as the ticket situation for SummerSlam weekend, WWE injuries and show length.

Check out Brock Lesnar’s post-SummerSlam schedule, the Horsewomen vs. Horsewomen angle, WWE TV deal in South Africa, Rey Mysterio’s next contract, SummerSlam viewing parties, Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly updates, and a Bruno Sammartino update.

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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. 

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WON BACK ISSUE: July 17, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WCW Bash at the Beach with big angle reviewed, plus tons of news

It all started in late 1995 at the coffee table of the strength coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, Kim Wood’s house. Brian Pillman was 33 years old. His body was breaking down from the years of football and high flying wrestling. His contract was due the next summer. His future was stable in that there was little doubt he’d be able to renew his deal, probably for at about the $250,000 per year on a three-year deal at the level he was at.

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MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

As noted earlier, Ric Flair underwent surgery earlier today. His situation remains extremely serious. It goes without saying that everyone is thinking about him right now.

Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio, talking Ric Flair, Raw, G-1, Alberto, Adam Cole and the rest of the news. You can send questions related to any of the above topics to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com.

Georges St-Pierre was on the MMA Hour earlier today with Ariel Helwani, and said that it is in his contract that if he beats Michael Bisping on 11/4 in Madison Square Garden, that he would have to defend his title, which would be against Robert Whittaker.

After Kenny Omega’s loss last night to Tetsuya Naito in the G-1 finals, they taped a segment where Omega and Kota Ibushi bumped into each other backstage.

Jinder Mahal vs. John Cena in a non-title match is scheduled for Smackdown tomorrow night in Providence.

WWE

  • As coincidence would have it, the Table for 3 with Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat and Sting is scheduled to air after Raw tonight on the WWE Network.
  • A.J. Styles vs. Chad Gable is being advertised locally for the U.S. title for tonight’s Smackdown brand house show in Springfield, IL. The top matches are listed as Jinder Mahal vs. Randy Orton and John Cena vs. Rusev.
  • It’s been noted that the only match ever between the British Bulldogs vs. Rock & Roll Express, held in 1989 in Kansas City, is on the WWE Network under Hidden Gems. I was at the match. With the wind chill factor, it was -40 that night. They had world class talent, I think the main event was Tsuruta & Yatsu vs. Gordy & Hansen, and The Funks were on the show, and it drew like 300 fans at Memorial Hall.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Jim Ross’ show at the DC Improv over the weekend had a packed house. The New York show on Friday night at the Gotham Comedy Club is also close to sold out.
  • MVP vs. Sami Callihan has been added to WaleMania on 10/5 in Orlando at Gilt Nightclub.
  • Giovanni “Romeo” Roselli, a former WWE performer, will co-star on the HBO show “The Deuce” which stars James Franco and Maggie Gyllenhaal. The show is about New York in the 70s and 80s focusing on the porn and prostitution part of Manhattan. The episode will air on 9/10.
  • CWF Mid Atlantic from Saturday night in Gibsonville, NC: Aspyn Rose b Kaci Lennox, Brian Carson & Frankie Flynn & Evan Adams b Cain Justice, Dirty Daddy & Movie Myk, Arrick Andrews b Cam Carter, Mecha Mercenary & Aaron Biggs b Carlos Gabriel & AC Hawkes, Ethan Sharpe b Lucas Calhoun, Chet Sterling b Aaron Epic, Smith Garrett b Alex Daniels, Logan Easton La Roux b Alex Daniels Zane Dawson & Dave Dawson b Caprice Coleman & Darius Lockhart. Next show is 8/26 with Trevor Lee in the main event.
  • Modern Vintage Wrestling from Saturday night in Fayetteville, NC: Michael McAllister b Ethan Sharpe, CW Anderson b Mecha Mercenary, Aaron Biggs b Dave Dawson, Chet Sterling b Alex Daniels & John Skyler, Zane Dawson b Jason Kincaid, Aaron Spice won six-way over Evan Adams, Frankie Flynn, Charles Gabriel, Mike Mars and Snooty Fox, Aspyn Rose b Kaci Lennox, Chet Sterling won four-way over Zane Dawson, CW Anderson and Aaron Biggs. Next show is 9/16 with Anderson’s team vs. Sterlings’s team in a War Games, and they also run 9/1 with Abyss. (thanks to Brad Stutts)
  • GOUGE on Sunday in Raleigh, NC: Waylon Maze & Malaki Matthews b Leo Ryker & Court Montgomery, Nick the CPA b Thomas Draven, Otto Schwanz b Moose Sczerwinski, Jimmy Jack Funk Jr. b Zane Riley, Jakob Hammermeir b Seymour Snott, Roni Nicole b Natalina Corvino, Timmy Lou Retton b Snooty Fux. Next show is 9/9 in Raleigh at Ruby Deluxe as part of the Hopscotch Music Festival. 
  • Superkick’d Pro Wrestling on 8/18 in Toronto at the Great Hall.
  • JCW on 8/20 in Toronto a the Shacklands Brewing Company.
  • AbbyMania on 9/16 in Hot Springs, AR at the Convention Center with Tim Storm vs. Jerry Lawler for the NWA title plus Chavo Guerrero Jr. will appear.

Today in Pro Wrestling History: WCW Road Wild 1999

F4W Online / Wrestling Observer Vegas Convention Event Info

August 17-21; All times are TBA; Full information on the group Facebook page; Activities subject to change

For ticketing information go to https://f4wvegas.brownpapertickets.com/

  • Thursday: Meet at the High Roller for Bowling at the Link; Party at Carnival Court at Hurrah’s
  • Friday: Kiss Mini Golf tournament at the Rio; Dinner at Texas de Brazil; Suite party (location TBA)
  • Saturday: Future Stars of Wrestling show featuring Disco Inferno, Stephan Bonnar, Phil Baron, Shotzi Blackheart, and co-main events: 3-way match with Leva Bates vs. Mia Yim vs. Hudson Envy, and “Filthy” Tom Lawlor vs. Thomas Santell (f.k.a. Antonio “The Promise” Thomas); NXT viewing party at the Sci-Fi Center
  • Sunday: SUPER CHINA BUFFET DAY at the Wicked Spoon Buffet at 1pm; SummerSlam viewing party at the Sci-Fi Center
  • Monday: Goodbye lunch at Chen Chen at NY NY
  • All website members will also receive a 15% discount on any purchases from the Las Vegas Fight Shop for the entirety of the convention

Texas de Brazil, Wicked Spoon, NXT and Summer Slam will all be sign up and pre-paid events, prices and collection begin in mid July~!

Pro Wrestling Tees is now carrying our latest line of F4W shirts. Support the Empire~! Grab yours today!

CONTACT INFORMATION

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