Daily Update: G1 finals, Conor McGregor, Pete Dunne

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

WWE Raw is in Augusta, ME, Smackdown is in Tampa (a loaded show with Brock Lesnar vs Samoa Joe added to the Smackdown crew), NXT is in Sacramento, CA and Venice, FL and Progress Wrestling is in Queens, NY (Walter vs. Matt Riddle for the Progress Atlas title, Trent Seven & Tyler Bate vs. Travis Banks & TK Cooper, Donovan Dijak vs. Timothy Thatcher, Jimmy Havoc vs. Joey Janela, Jinny & Deonna Purrazzo vs. Dahlia Black & Dakota Kai, Mark Andrews vs. Zack Gibson vs. Mark Haskins). We’re looking for reports on all of those shows to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

EVOLVE SATURDAY FROM QUEENS, NY AT 4 P.M. EASTERN

  • Anthony Henry & James Drake defend tag titles
  • Ethan Page vs. ACH
  • Timothy Thatcher vs. Darby Allin
  • Mark Haskins vs. Austin Theory
  • Chris Dickinson & Jake vs. Travis Banks & TK Cooper
  • Matt Riddle vs. Keith Lee vs. Tracy Williams vs. Walter for the WWN title

NEW JAPAN G-1 CLIMAX FINALS AT 2 A.M. EASTERN (11 P.M. PACIFIC) LATE SATURDAY NIGHT/EARLY SUNDAY MORNING ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Young Bucks vs. Ricochet & Ryusuke Taguchi for IWGP jr. tag titles
  • War Machine vs. Cody & Hangman Page for IWGP tag tilts
  • G-1 Climax finals: Tetsuya Naito vs. Kenny Omega

Sunday has WWE Raw in Worcester, MA and Smackdown in Miami, FL and a Progress Wrestling show in Boston.

Monday has WWE Raw TV tapings in Boston, with Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman appearing, plus Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax with the winner getting a shot at Alexa Bliss’ women’s title at SummerSlam. There is also a Smackdown brand house show in Springfield, MA on Monday night.

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. 

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: 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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SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Sami Zayn’s fundraising campaign to establish a mobile medical unit in Syria reached its $48,000 goal.
  • Triple H said that he thinks Ronda Rousey is “unsure” about doing a pro wrestling match and noted that she’s at a transition period in her life and is in a great place.
  • Newsweek interviewed Asuka about approaching 500 days as NXT Women’s Champion, wrestling in America, and working with Triple H. She also said that she wants to go to the main roster but that it will happen at the appropriate time.
  • Breezango appeared on Friday’s episode of Talk is Jericho.
  • WWE uploaded a short video profile of Candice LeRae ahead of the Mae Young Classic.
  • This week’s WWE top 10 list on YouTube is an expanded edition that looks at the 30 best moments in SummerSlam history.
  • Lee England Jr. and CFO$ played Shinsuke Nakamura’s theme on the streets of New York.
  • The Brooklyn Cyclones are hosting “SummerSlam Night” on August 17th. Carmella, Charlotte, Apollo Crews, and Mark Henry are scheduled to appear.

Pro Wrestling

  • It will be Tetsuya Naito vs. Kenny Omega in this year’s G1 Climax finals as NJPW returns to Sumo Hall overnight. Omega defeated Kazuchika Okada to win the B Block this morning in another classic match. Though it went nearly 25 minutes, it was a sprint from the moment it started. The match played off of their previous two bouts and the fact that Okada could advance with a draw, with Omega showing a sense of urgency to put him away within the 30-minute time limit.
  • Omega vs. Naito is a rematch from maybe the best match of last year’s tournament, which Omega won to advance to the finals and ultimately win the G1. The show will start at 2 a.m. ET. War Machine defending their IWGP tag titles against Cody Rhodes & Hangman Page and The Young Bucks putting their Junior Heavyweight tag belts on the line against Ricochet & Ryusuke Taguchi are also scheduled.
  • Omega, The Young Bucks, Cody, and Page did a video Q&A session before the B Block finals.
  • The injury that forced Pete Dunne off of PROGRESS’ shows in New York and Boston this weekend was caused by either a belt shot or a botched pedigree. Darius Carter, who Dunne was facing when he got hurt, has received criticism from some other wrestlers for allegedly having a history of being reckless. Carter tweeted an apology to Dunne and said that he spoke to him after the match and checked on him in the hospital.
  • Dunne did a segment at today’s PROGRESS show in NYC saying that he wouldn’t wrestle for that crowd even if he was healthy.
  • Ratings for this week’s episode of Impact were essentially even with last week. The show was watched by 277,000 viewers, which was slightly up from the 276,000 it did the week prior.
  • Angelina Love tweeted that she asked for and was granted her release from GFW.

UFC/MMA

  • After the controversy over Paulie Malignaggi’s time sparring with Conor McGregor for the Floyd Mayweather fight, Dana White released two short videos of their sparring session. The first shows McGregor landing a big punch on Malignaggi and the second shows the controversial knockdown.
  • Malignaggi responded to the videos, insisting that he was pushed down and saying that Dana White was “kissing his ass” after he sparred with McGregor.
  • Ariel Helwani interviewed McGregor about Malignaggi, his pay for the Mayweather fight, and becoming a father.
  • McGregor claimed that he will compete in both boxing and MMA going forward.
  • Continuing a trend of big money coming in on Mayweather, someone bet $880,000 on him at the South Point Casino.
  • Leonard Ellerbe disputed reports of relatively slow ticket sales for Mayweather vs. McGregor.

Today in Pro Wrestling History: Chris Jericho wins WCW Cruiserweight title

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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