Daily Update: Gabi Garcia, UFC & NJPW odds, The Rock

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

We’re looking for reports on tonight’s WWE Raw show in Hartford, CT and Smackdown show in Pittsburgh to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

Roman Reigns vs. John Cena headlines tonight in Hartford and A.J. Styles vs. Jinder Mahal headlines Pittsburgh. The same crew works Raw on Friday in Albany, NY and Smackdown in Hershey, PA. Saturday is Raw in Toronto headlined by Reigns vs. Samoa Joe and Smackdown in Tampa headlined by Styles vs. Mahal vs. Cena.

Sunday is off for New Year’s Eve.

IMPACT ON POP TV AT 8 P.M. TONIGHT

  • It will be another Best of 2017 show and feature the Eli Drake vs. Johnny Impact main event from Bound for Glory

RIZIN TONIGHT AT 1 A.M. EASTERN TIME FROM THE SAITAMA SUPER ARENA ON FITE TV

  • Satoru Kitaoka vs. Kiichi Kunimoto
  • Shizuka Sugiyama vs. Kana Watanabe
  • Kizaemon Saiga vs. Kai Asakura
  • Anthony Birchak vs. Jae Hoon Moon
  • Hiroyuki Takaya vs. Battaryn Azjavkhlan
  • Reina Miura vs. Cindy Dandois
  • Jiri Prochazka vs. Karl Albertktsson
  • Khalid Taha vs. Takafumi Otsuka in the quarterfinals of the bantamweight tournament
  • Kevin Petshi vs. Shintaro Ishiwatari in the quarterfinals of the bantamweight tournament
  • Ian McCall vs. Manel Kape in the quarterfinals of the bantamweight tournament
  • Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Gabriel Oliveria in the quarterfinals of the bantamweight tournament

​F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly 12/25/2017: Looking at WWE’s women’s Royal Rumble announcement

The road to WrestleMania took a not-entirely-unexpected turn last week when it was announced on Raw that the first-ever women’s Royal Rumble match would be taking place next month. While there are still plenty of specifics to be worked out, the announcement itself made all of the sense in the world. The women’s division shouldn’t be an afterthought in the build to WWE’s biggest show of the year. 

WON NEWSLETTER: January 1, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2017 In Review

Our 2017 year in review issue of the Observer is up on the site, with full business coverage of the year as well as a breakdown of the biggest pro wrestling news stories of 2017, updating them with a lot of new information on them. There is a major feature on the history of New Japan Pro Wrestling at the Tokyo Dome, as well as an update on where John Cena at WrestleMania stands.

Have a look at the biggest crowds of the year, who has headlined the most major shows, where John Cena stands among the all-time biggest drawing cards as well as where other current WWE stars stand.

There is a PPV breakdown of the year, a breakdown of biggest live crowds and who drew the most, a look at the biggest gates of the year and an update on the ten biggest drawing cards in pro wrestling history.

Examine Vince McMahon’s stock sale, thoughts on buying an NFL franchise or starting his own league and the stock price concerns.

In this issue, an update with the planned main event for WWE’s PPV in March, update on Dean Ambrose, more WWE injury notes, T-shirt selling strong, Brock Lesnar’s schedule, Daniel Bryan update, Ronda Rousey update, former member of WWE Board of Directors is the latest major executive having to step down, Angle talks Jordan angle, Gerald Brisco awarded, plans for March, Velveteen Dream update, what WWE is looking for in talent right now, and the most-watched shows on the WWE Network.

There is also a huge feature on the history of New Japan Pro Wrestling at the Tokyo Dome dating back to 1989. Look at why the first show took place, what legendary video game character came from the first show, why there were so few stadium shows before the Tokyo Dome opened, and a look at that first show. Check out the first main event and the move that came from another sport to pro wrestling that ended up as the finisher of one of the biggest stars ever years later. 

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: December 11, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: ECW Massacre on 34th Street review, WWF Rebellion, more

Amidst rumors of the company being down for the count, Extreme Championship Wrestling put on a strong PPV show on 12/3, but more importantly, everyone was paid for one pay period (meaning everyone is now five weeks behind in pay). Nobody quit the promotion, which some had talked about doing if they weren’t paid again. The morale, which rises and falls based on whether or not the checks come, was said to be better coming out of the show.

THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

We will have an interview with Kenny Omega up on the site today talking his match with Chris Jericho, his goals for 2018, who he wants to work with, what match has been offered to him multiple times that he’s turned down and more.

Tonight’s Rizin show is on iPPV for $19.95 or you can order tonight at the New Year’s Eve show as a package for $29.95 at Fite TV.

The Gabi Garcia vs. Shinobu Kandori fight scheduled for the Rizin show may be off since Garcia weighed in at 235.8 pounds in a 209 pound weight class fight. Kandori, a pro wrestling superstar in the 80s and 90s who was one of the first stars of women’s MMA two decades ago, competed in judo in the 145 pound weight class in her prime. She’s now 53 years old and it’s very much for the best that this fight doesn’t take place. It was supposed to take place last year but Kandori was injured in training.

Odds from 5 Dimes for Saturday’s UFC show:

  • Cris Cyborg -335
  • Holly Holm +305
  • Khabib Nurmagomedov -270
  • Edson Barboza +230
  • Cynthia Cavillo -240
  • Carla Esparza +200
  • Carlos Condit -160
  • Neil Magny +140

Kambi has dropped the odds for the Tokyo Dome show slightly because of so many under bets, so the over-under for Okada vs. Naito is now *****1/2 and for Omega vs. Jericho is now ****1/2. Naito is a -333 favorite and Omega is a -500 favorite. 

Jimmy Smith, one of the best color men in the business, is no longer with Bellator as apparently his contract ended at the end of this year and they couldn’t come to terms on a new deal. Ariel Helwani mentioned Frank Mir and Chael Sonnen as possible replacements.

Dwayne Johnson said that he and other actors will be wearing black at the Golden Globe awards in support of women and sexual harassment and inequality issues in Hollywood. (thanks to Jake Koch) 

WWE

  • At last night’s show at the Nassau Coliseum they announced the next date in the building would be a Raw on 5/7. Tickets are on sale with the password WWE2018.
  • A story on John Layfield and his working with youths in Bermuda on rugby. (thanks to Lee Wall)

UFC

  • Stefan Struve vs. Andrei Arlovski was announced for the 3/3 show in Las Vegas. It will probably be on the PPV portion of the show.
  • There were still $50 tickets available yesterday for Saturday’s UFC show at the T Mobile Arena. Those tickets usually sell out instantly. 
  • A press conference is scheduled tomorrow in Las Vegas at 5 p.m. Pacific time with Stipe Miocic, Francis Ngannou, Daniel Cormier and Volkan Oezdemir.
  • Dana White was on FS1’s Undisputed this morning and said that he was meeting with Floyd Mayweather’s people today.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Tommy Dreamer announced these first round matches for his TV title tournament on 1/26 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia:
    Luchasaurus vs. Willie Mack vs. Matt Cross
    MJL vs. Crazzy Steve
    Brian Cage vs. ?
    Austin Aries vs. Matt Riddle
    Dan Maff vs. Ace Romero
    Kevin Kross vs. Little Guido
    Eddie Kingston vs. Bull James
    Alex Reynolds vs. Super Crazy
    Kenn Doane vs. Lisa Marie Varon
    Mike Mondo vs. Swoggle
  • Nate Marquardt announced his retirement from MMA after a lengthy career, but says he will still train and coach MMA and BJJ.
  • Scheduled for Evolve on 1/14 in Brooklyn is Keith Lee vs. Chris Dickinson for the Evolve title, Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Walter and Timothy Thatcher vs. Fred Yehi. I saw Sabre vs. Walter in PWG and it was an incredible match. There will also be an eight-man Style Battle tournament earlier in the day with first round matches of Matt Riddle vs. Rayo, Shane Mercer vs. Kyle the Beast, Walter vs. Nick Gage and Joey Lynch vs. Joey Janela.
  • Low Blows Wrestling Parties will have a Wrestle Kingdom party on 1/4 at Buskers on the Ball in Dublin. The party will run from 5-11 p.m. This will be the barometer to test interest in non-WWE parties that would continue in 2018. Rick Nash of Low Blows gave a preview for bandwagoners to catch up on everything they need to know about NJPW and WK12 next week.
  • International Wrestling League on 1/20 in London at the Britannia Village Hall.
  • Jeff Jarrett’s GFW promoted a show last night in Nashville for the University of Kentucky and Northwestern players in town for the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. Jerry Lawler and Ricky Steamboat appeared. The private event was held at Gaylord Opryland Hotel with players, coaches, and team officials.
  • CWE on 1/7 in Moosomin, Saskatchewan at the Civic Center featuring an appearance by Jake Roberts.
  • Results from CWE last night in Gladstone, Manitoba: Danny Duggan b A.J Sanchez, Kevin Lee Davidson b Kevin O’Doyle, Jacob Creed & Bobby Collins b Math Magician & Canadian Cougar, Tony Kozina b Chayse Britton, Tyler Colton b Brian Logan. They run tonight in Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
  • Destiny World Wrestling on 1/21 in Mississauaga, ONT at the Dan Kolov Arena with Petey Williams vs. Matt Sydal and Pete Dunne vs. Austin Aries. Williams vs. Sydal will be taped for Impact television.
  • PWA on 1/20 in Kitchener,ONT at the Alpine Club.
  • Legacy Fighting Alliance on 1/12 in Costa Mesa, CA from the Orange County Fairgrounds live on AXS after NJPW, has Curtis Millender vs. Nick Barnes in a welterweight main event.

Today in Professional Wrestling History: Hollywood Hogan vs. Sting at Starrcade 1997

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