Daily Update: HBK, WWE stock, De La Hoya MMA promotion

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

We’re looking for your thoughts on both today and tomorrow’s Wrestling Dontaku shows from Fukuoka, Japan, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com” target=”_blank”>dave@wrestlingobserver.com

We’re also looking for reports on the NXT show tonight in Bartow, FL to newstips@wrestlingobsever.com

IMPACT AT 8 P.M. TONIGHT ON POP TV

  • Matt Sydal vs. Taiji Ishimori for the X title
  • Rosemary vs. Su Yung
  • Taya vs. Keira Hogan
  • Drago & El Hijo del Fantasma & Aerostar vs. Andrew Everett & DJZ & Dezmond Xavier

WRESTLING DONTAKU AT 4 A.M. EASTERN TONIGHT ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Yuya Uemaru & Ren Narita & Shota Umino
  • Yuji Nagata & Tomoyuki Oka vs Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi
  • Sho & Yoh & Rocky Romero vs. Taichi & Takashi Iizuka & Taka Michinoku
  • Togi Makabe & Toa Henare vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano
  • Juice Robinson & David Finlay & Michael Elgin vs. Hirooki Goto & Jay White & Yoshi-Hashi
  • Tetsuya Naito & Evil & Sanada & Bushi & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki & Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Lance Archer & Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa & Bad Luck Fale & Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi vs. Young Bucks & Cody & Hangman Page & Marty Scurll
  • Will Ospreay vs. Kushida for IWGP jr. title
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for IWGP heavyweight title

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: WWE’s bet on Saudi Arabia

If WWE was concerned about criticism of their partnership with Saudi Arabia, they certainly didn’t show it at the Greatest Royal Rumble.The first event in WWE’s 10-year agreement with the Saudi General Sports Authority was a weird mix of special event, house show, and propaganda. It wasn’t just a stadium show with Saudi Arabia as its backdrop. The location wasn’t just spotlighted in the set design or advertising like with WrestleMania host cities. 

WON NEWSLETTER: May 8, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Fallout from the Greatest Royal Rumble

A look at the Greatest Royal Rumble, both the financial and ethical aspects and answering a lot of questions about the show is the lead story in the new double-issue of the Observer.

Look at the different controversies, from why the show is completely different from anything in pro wrestling history, to the questions regarding the women and Sami Zayn, attempts at defending the situation. Review the show itself, with a complete rundown of the Rumble, match-by-match coverage with star ratings, records set for the Rumble, the Lesnar vs. Reigns finish, and Lesnar going forward.

Look at first day ticket sales for New Japan’s show at the Cow Palace, why it’s difficult for New Japan to promote matches when they put tickets on sale, the Okada vs. Tanahashi feud, Chris Jericho in New Japan, talk of running more Dome shows in the upcoming years, as well as full coverage of the Hi No Kuni show in Kumamoto with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

This issue features Glenn Jacobs and his mayor campaign, including his chances of winning the overall election, details of how he won the election and the campaign itself, and wrestlers who came in to support him.

Have a look at the life and career of Universo 2000, the longest reigning world heavyweight champion in pro wrestling of the modern era, who passed away on Wednesday.

There is a story looking back at the birth of UFC with the announcement of Art Davie into the UFC Hall of Fame.

Coverage of the birth of the new PFL, the $1 million tournaments and prize packages, the two-time gold medalist that is starting with the group, and a lot of former UFC names that have entered in the different weight classes.

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.

THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

Shawn Michaels was honored last night in Las Vegas by the Cauliflower Alley Club and Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and Sean Waltman all came to give a speech for him. 

WWE stock closed today at $41.39 per share, the second highest figure in history, coming off the call this morning. What’s notable with the 10-Q report out is that the company is the vaguest it ever has been when it comes to reporting. TV rights are carrying things but we can’t even see actual network revenue (PPV numbers are added with it rather than separate), web site revenue and many other things like movie business. The report is about one-third the size of the past. All we really know is that the network is up very slightly, most other categories are down but mostly very small amounts, but TV revenue is way up and is carrying the company.

Oscar De La Hoya announced he would be starting his own MMA promotion and claims the first fighter he’s looking to sign is Chuck Liddell. Liddell was at the Golden Boy offices and said “I’m making a comeback for sure,” in a TMZ interview. This is sad. This is likely because UFC is getting into the boxing business with a new Zuffa Boxing company.

Bryan and I will be doing a live Q&A show on the morning of 7/7 at the Westin Hotel at the San Francisco Airport, this will be after the King of Indies show in Daly City and the day of the New Japan show at the Cow Palace. There is ticket information for the show on the front page of the site. Click here for more information.

Dwayne Johnson was nominated for the Best On Screen Team with Nick Jonas, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan for their roles in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle in the 2018 MTV movie and TV awards.

I was told the six-man tag team match on tonight’s Impact show was worth going out of your way to see. 

WWE

  • Not that this necessarily means anything, because it doesn’t, but WWE is advertising Roman Reigns & Braun Strowman & Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn & Jinder Mahal for Monday’s Raw show at the Nassau Coliseum.
  • WWE has filed for a trademark for the term “Great American Bash.”
  • Here’s a story on Linda McMahon talking about going through bankruptcy.
  • Linda McMahon is talking to the National Press Club. (thanks to Chris Cruise)

UFC

  • Paul Felder vs. James Vick has been added to the 7/14 UFC show in Boise, Idaho.
  • Justin Ledet vs. Aleksander Rakic has been added to the 7/22 show in Hamburg.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Stardom from today at Shinkiba First Ring in Tokyo: Nao Yamaguchi won three-way over Natsumi and Leo Onozaki, Candy Floss b Hanan, Starlight Kid & Shiki Shibuawa b Ruaka & Kaori Yoneyama, Mayu Iwatani & Tam Nakano & Saki Kashima b Jungle Kyona & Mary Apache & Natsuko Tora, Chardonnay b Session Moth Martina-DQ, Kagetsu & Hana Kimura & Hazuki & Brandi Rhodes & Natsu Sumire b Io Shirai & Momo Watanabe & AZM & Bea Priestley & Konami in an elimination match. Kagetsu was the lone survivor. (thanks to Jake Koch)
  • AAW on Saturday night in LaSalle, IL at the Knights of Columbus with Trevor Lee vs. Paco for the AAW Heritage title, Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett vs AR Fox & Myron Reed for the tag tiles, ACH & Kongo Kong vs. Jeff Cobb & Eddie Kingston, Ace Romero vs. MJF in a dog collar match, Moose vs. Brody King, Laredo Kid vs. DJZ, Rey Fenix vs. Trey Miguel and more.
  • Western Kentucky University is doing a class called Professional Wrestling & Popular Culture.
  • Ric Flair is attending the University of Georgia track meet this weekend as Wendy Barlow’s daughter competes for the team.
  • Here’s a story on Mick Foley touring clubs.
  • Dynamo Pro Wrestling on 5/5 in St. Louis at the Cinco de Mayo Festival on the corner of Cherokee and Iowa Streets with pro wrestling matches at both 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Admission is free to the public.
  • AXS Fights will celebrate covering its 400th MMA card on 5/25 from The Bomb Factory in Dallas, featuring Legacy Fighting Alliance featherweight champion Kevin Aguilar vs. Thanh Le. There will also be a special show on 5/18 with Ron Kruck, Pat Miletich, Kenny Rice, Bas Rutten and Stephen Quadros at 9 p.m. called Cageside: 400 talking about the highlights of the history of AXS Fights.
  • World Series Wrestling announced Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Robbie Eagles on 6/24 in Adelaide, Australia. 
  • PWA on 6/16 in Sydney, Australia is headlined by Robbie Eagles vs. Jonah Rock for the PWA title
  • MCW on 5/19 in Melbourne, Australia has Damien Slater & Marcius Pitt vs. Nick Bury & Mitch Waterman.(thanks to Kevin Chiat)
  • Nicole Matthews is out of action due to pneumonia. Matthews was to face Jetta on Saturday’s Pro Wrestling Eve show in London. Kris Wolf will now face Jetta. Jinny, who was to face Wolf, is out due to a hand injury. The show will also have a War Games match and a ladder match, and it’ll air live on FITE TV at 3 p.m. Eastern time. (thanks to Jake Koch)
  • Innovative Wrestling on 5/26 in Kingsport, TN at the Civic Auditorium.
  • PCW Ultra announced Mick Foley will be doing a meet and greet at their show tomorrow night.
  • Eddie Edwards has been announced for the New Generation Wrestling show on Sunday in Hull City Hall in Hull, UK, which is the company’s 10th anniversary show.
  • CWE on 5/15 in Yorkton, SK at the Yorkdale Central School featuring a guest appearance by Ron Simmons. They also run 5/18 in Saskatoon at the Cosmo Civic Center with an appearance by Simmons.
  • Combate Americas on 5/18 has a Mexico vs. The World show from the famed Auditorio Municipal in Tijuana. The main event has featherweights Andres Quintana (13-2) of Albuquerque vs. Marco Antonio Elpidio (7-2-1) of Mexico City. Erik Perez’s brother Jair Perez makes his pro debut on that show.
  • Stevie Richards and Simon Grimm (Simon Gotch) appear for Empire State Wrestling on 5/19 in North Tonawanda, NY at the St. Johnsburg Fire Hall. Richards faces Bill Collier and Grimm faces Brandon Thurston, lus Jimmy Jacobs faces Anthony Gaines and Petey Williams faces Kevin Blackwood.
  • The new issue has a detailed story on the new PFL promotion that debuts on 6/7 at The Theater in Madison Square Garden. The company’s second show is 6/21 in Chicago at the Chicago Theater headlined by Luiz Firmino (20-8) vs. Will Brooks (18-4).
  • Chris Dickinson & Jaka defend the Evolve tag titles against The End in an anything goes match on 5/19 in Chicago and they face Anthony Henry & James Drake on 5/20 in Detroit.
  • Icons of Wrestling on Saturday from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. in Feaserville, PA has an autograph show with Jim Duggan, Jeff Jarrett, Jake Roberts, Sean Waltman and Tito Santana. There will also be a show at 7 p.m. at the Sportsplex with Dan Maff vs. Matt Tremont, Duggan. vs. Nikolai Volkoff, plus Teddy Hart, Sandman, Jake Roberts and more.
  • IWF on 6/10 at the Nutley East Flora Louden Park Complex in Nutley, NJ for a Little League benefit show.
  • Beat the Streets wrestling (amateur style) has an event on 5/17 at Pier 17/Seaport District in Manhattan. Both the U.S. national man and women’s team will be participating. Gold medalists Helen Maroulis and Jordan Burroughs will be competing with Burroughs facing Frank Chamizo of Italy. Maroulis will face Odunayo Adekuoroye of Nigiera.
  • Demand Lucha on 6/10 at Lee’s Palace in Toronto with PCO, Darby Allin, Joel Gertner and Josh Alexander.
  • Stephen Quadros talks Pride Fighting Championships.

Daily Professional Wrestling History: AJ Styles wins his first IWGP Heavyweight title

CONTACT INFORMATION