Daily Update: Hidden Gems, Kofi Kingston, Orlando

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F4W NEWSLETTER: NXT’s Survivor Series involvement Joseph Currier looks at how WWE featured NXT at Survivor Series and in the build to the PPV.

Even with how forced the battle for brand supremacy can admittedly be, Survivor Series is one of the bright spots on the WWE calendar.

The PPV has given us some of the main roster’s best matches in recent years. Last year, we got Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Bryan and Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair (filling in for the injured Becky Lynch). In 2017, Lesnar faced AJ Styles. Those matches wouldn’t have happened without the brand vs. brand concept. And while there would ideally be more substantive stakes involved, the brands facing off has given some life to the traditional Survivor Series elimination tag matches.

The added involvement of NXT this year only improved things. The battle of the brands would have been even more forced without their inclusion. Viewers can believe that NXT really wants to prove that it’s better than Raw or SmackDown. It’s much harder to suspend your disbelief and buy into Raw and SmackDown’s wrestlers being undyingly loyal to their brand just weeks after a draft.

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WON NEWSLETTER: December 2, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Survivor Series weekend, Mauro Ranallo/Corey Graves

Coverage of Survivor Series weekend and five shows in six nights in Chicago, as well as the business, polls and more, heads this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

We look at the directions things are going, how DVR viewership affects all the major shows, the decision on match order, what Vince McMahon was doing during the Survivor Seres main event, the next two major shows as well as Survivor Series and Takeover with full coverage and star ratings for every match.

The issue also covers:

The myth of NXT as developmental, World’s Collide, the next Takeover, the mention of Britt Baker on the air and more.

The tragic death of Aniah Blanchard, the stepdaughter of UFC fighter Walt Harris.

Changes in the UFC drug policy, regarding levels, what drugs are low levels now allowed, what UFC is encouraging fighters to do as far as supplements, . 

The situation with Corey Graves and Mauro Ranallo, what happened, why Graves should have been more careful, and where things stand.

Jim Cornette’s apology, how his departure from the NWA took place, more of the background as to why Cornette was castigated for things that nobody would have batted an eye about had others said and why, what NWA wanted to do with him and why their hand was forced.

C.M. Punk signing with FOX, Vince McMahon’s thoughts on Seth Rollins pushing the Punk match, TV ratings in Canada and overseas, WWE get awarded, legend selling home, Oney Lorcan talks future, Mike Bennett talks wanting to leave, Injury updates in WWE, WWE market value and the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network, plus notes on the house shows.

Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.

In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.

Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week. 

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@wrestlingobserver.com or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

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If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

Additional notes by Joseph Currier

WWE

  • WWE Backstage tonight will have an interview with Seth Rollins, as well as Green Arrow star Stephen Amell. CM Punk noted on Twitter that he would not be on tonight’s show, but may be in next week.
  • Kofi Kingston has surpassed 1,000 total days as Tag Team champion in WWE.
  • WWE’s website posted a storyline update regarding the arrests of Bobby Lashley and Lana. Both have been released from the Nashville jail.
  • R-Truth regained the 24/7 title from former NASCAR champion Kyle Busch following Raw.
  • PWInsider reported that WWE Network will not be adding Hidden Gems content weekly going forward.
  • Leaders in Orlando, Florida have made bids to host SummerSlam and Survivor Series in the near future.
  • A new WWE Day of documentary, which will cover this year’s Survivor Series, will air on the WWE Network this Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.
  • WWE’s “WrestleMania’s Legendary Moments” special will air on the USA Network after NXT tomorrow night. The special is narrated by John Cena and first aired on FOX.
  • NXT’s Brendan Vink (Elliot Sexton) has been added to EVOLVE 141 in Livonia on Friday and EVOLVE 142 in Chicago on Saturday. He’ll face Colby Corino at the Livonia show.

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