Daily Update: Impact Rebellion PPV, Tom Castor, Ride Along

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Winners and losers of the Superstar Shake Up

Raw and SmackDown’s post-WrestleMania rosters were confirmed over the past week as WWE held their third annual Superstar Shake-up.

The most notable names to switch brands were AJ Styles and Roman Reigns. Styles had been the face of SmackDown since the 2016 brand split but is now a member of the Raw roster. Reigns had been on Raw since the 2016 draft but was moved to SmackDown in this year’s Shake-up, which comes in advance of SmackDown debuting on Fox in October.

WON NEWSLETTER: April 29, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Superstar Shake Up fallout, plus tons of news

After week one of the Superstar shakeup, things changed again. The who’s and the why’s is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer. Also look at what the original plan for Kevin Owens was and why it changed, and also seems to indicate bad news for one of the company’s biggest stars.

Read an updated depth chart for Raw and Smackdown with new rosters and positioning. This also points out problem areas, and we also look at the card for Money in the Bank, and notes on a lot of directions.

Read about C.M. Punk doing a run-in on an indie show, why and what happened.

Also look at the change for the Backlash PPV and how that affects the schedule, how the Saudi Arabian government made WWE look bad once again, analysts bullish on WWE and what their predictions were that missed, update on the next Saudi Arabia show, and more on WWE ratings drops.

This issue contains a rundown of New Japan’s Sengoku Lord show and the booking direction of the company.

Also look at UFC’s return to Russia.

This issue has a lengthy feature on the Viceland documentary on the 1997 Survivor Series, filling in a lot of the pieces regarding who was in on it, how the finish was done, and a look at some of history’s biggest double-crosses.

Read a feature on Mighty John Quinn, one of the greatest heels in U.K. wrestling including the build for his two big main events at Wembley Arena including the record crowd with Big Daddy. 

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.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

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.

SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • NXT referee Tom Castor thanked everyone for the support he’s received after suffering a serious leg injury at Thursday night’s house show in Omaha, Nebraska: “I sincerely want to thank the WWE Universe and the NXT/WWE Superstars for their kind words and positive vibes. It’s been heartwarming and humbling to say the least. My utmost gratitude to the WWE Medical Staff and ER staff at Nebraska Medicine for your care and support. I’m ready to heal up and rejoin my NXT family doing what we all love to do. #wearenxt”
  • Drake Wuertz, Mia Yim, Eric Bugenhagen, Rachael Ellering, Jessika Carr, and The Street Profits wished Castor well after his injury.
  • A new episode of Ride Along will air on the WWE Network after Monday’s Raw. It will feature Beth Phoenix & Natalya in one car and X-Pac, Road Dogg & Billy Gunn in the other.
  • Finn Balor responded to a tweet from Andrade where he challenged Balor to put the Intercontinental title on the line against him: “¡Órale guey!! Step Up and Get Busy AMIGO!”
  • WWE posted video of an interview with Kane yesterday, which was his 52nd birthday. Kane talked about being mayor of Knox County, Tennessee and said “never say never” when he was asked about returning to the ring.
  • WWE Shop is selling replica versions of Daniel Bryan’s eco-friendly WWE Championship belt. The price is $399.99, with the initial 50 title belts having already sold out.
  • WWE Custom Tees released a Bray Wyatt Firefly Fun House T-shirt.
  • A couple got engaged on the entrance ramp at last night’s NXT house show in Davenport, Iowa.
  • WWE uploaded the 2010 Raw Money in the Bank ladder match to their YouTube account.

Pro Wrestling

  • Impact Wrestling confirmed that an oVe rules (no DQ) stipulation has been added to Rich Swann’s X-Division Championship defense against Sami Callihan at tomorrow’s Rebellion PPV: “After extensive deliberations and at the specific request today of X-Division Champion @GottaGetSwann, IMPACT management has granted @TheSamiCallihan’s request to make the X-Division title match a No DQ /oVe Rules match at Rebellion. #IMPACTRebellion” Here’s the updated card for the show:
    Impact World Champion Johnny Impact defending against Brian Cage (Lance Storm will be the special guest referee)
    Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie defending against Jordynne Grace
    Impact Tag Team Champions The Lucha Bros (Pentagon Jr. & Fenix) defending against LAX (Santana & Ortiz) in a Full Metal Mayhem match
    X-Division Champion Rich Swann defending against Sami Callihan in an oVe rules match
    Tessa Blanchard vs. Gail Kim
    Moose & The North (Josh Alexander & Ethan Page) vs. The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel)
    A Smoke Show segment with Scarlett Bordeaux
  • Impact uploaded the opening video for Rebellion.
  • Ahead of facing Blanchard at Rebellion, Gail Kim threw out the first pitch at last night’s Toronto Blue Jays game. The PPV is taking place at the Rebel Entertainment Complex in Toronto.
  • Classic NWA and ROH logos are on the canvas for the Crockett Cup tonight. The NWA and ROH are partnering together for the show.
  • Jim Cornette did a Crockett Cup Q&A with Sports Illustrated.
  • The New York Post interviewed Nick Aldis about defending the NWA title against Marty Scurll at the Crockett Cup.
  • Pro Wrestling: EVE released a tribute video for Kris Wolf, who had her retirement show yesterday.
  • Chris Jericho spoke to Cheddar about AEW.

UFC/MMA

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Austin Idol defeats Jerry Lawler in a hair vs. hair match

F4W Empire Convention Info:

  • Ed in San Antonio presents PODER~! at the FSW arena on Friday 5/24 – Showtime is at noon – Main event: Bryan Alvarez vs. Logan Stunt
  • Empire dinner on Friday 5/24 at 8:30 p.m. at Texas de Brazil – Price is $82 – All you can eat meat and salad, sodas, tea, and coffee, plus dessert included
  • Empire suite party on Friday 5/24 for those who were not able to get the Q&A package – Price is $25

Purchase tickets here. 

CONTACT INFORMATION