Daily Update: Jason Jordan, Omega & Ibushi, Lucha Underground

By Joseph Currier
Published: 13 Feb 2018, 16:44

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Can a reboot salvage 205 Live?

The most newsworthy week in recent WWE history capped off with Ronda Rousey appearing at the end of the Royal Rumble on Sunday night. Instead of participating in the women’s Royal Rumble match itself, Rousey closed the show with an appearance that initially did little to reveal what’s next for her in WWE. She came out to “Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett, her old UFC walkout song, while wearing one of Roddy Piper’s leather jackets.

WON NEWSLETTER: February 12, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Wrestlemania plans, All Japan streaming service

An update on the road to WrestleMania, including the future prospects for Brock Lesnar, the story behind Ronda Rousey, changes this past week and what they mean for upcoming shows and the next three PPV cards being looked at is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Look at WWE vs. UFC for Lesnar, the contract term, the comparisons, why his leaving was a given at one point and isn’t right now, changes in the Chamber match and different directions things can go.

Read about the XFL, the weak heel side of WWE, Rey Mysterio Jr. talks WWE return, Takeover for WrestleMania card, Dusty Rhodes tag team tournament, notes on 2019 WrestleMania, changes to 205 Live, storyline stemming from a crazy real-life story, another new Dwayne Johnson project, success of Jumanji, Raw U.K. numbers, debut of Ricochet in WWE, several injury updates, 205 Live touring, advance ticket sales for shows, movie with WWE star, plus some notes on people training this past week at the Performance Center tryouts.

Look at All Japan’s first show of the year and its Champion Carnival tournament, and streaming service.

Find out about the injury to Max Holloway and how UFC has shuffled around booking, what major match is now out the window, who is Yana Kunitskaya and why is she main eventing while having never fought in UFC, what prior ideas UFC had and notes on other major fights the company has tried to put together.

The UFC show in Belem, Brazil is reviewed with thoughts on Mario Yamasaki as referee, weight cutting, and lot of business notes on the show including the most intriguing business note of all when it comes to television and streaming.

This issue covers the debut show of 5 Star Wrestling on Freesports, looking at the matches and direction, as well as the situation with Booker T and Corey Graves as well.

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.

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WON BACK ISSUE: January 29, 2001 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Royal Rumble review, Shawn Michaels to return

In what was one of the best PPVs in the history of the WWF, the company gave a big tease for the eventual Rock vs. Steve Austin match which at this point still looks to be the headliner at Wrestlemania, putting Austin over in the Rumble. The show, featuring some strong highs and only a few lows, featured an early match of the year candidate in the Chris Jericho IC title win over Chris Benoit in a ladder match.

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

WWE has a big night of television tonight with SmackDown, Mixed Match Challenge, and 205 Live all taking place at the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, California. Here’s what’s set for each show:
SmackDown: Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin (winner joins AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn in the Fastlane main event for the WWE Championship), a Bobby Roode US title open challenge, SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair vs. Sarah Logan in a non-title match, and The New Day vs. Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable.
Mixed Match Challenge: Elias & Bayley vs. Rusev & Lana
205 Live: Mark Andrews vs. Akira Tozawa and Drew Gulak vs. Tony Nese in Cruiserweight Championship tournament first round matches. Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet noted that a source told him there’s been talk of putting Lio Rush in the title tournament.
On Raw last night, Kurt Angle claimed that Jason Jordan would have to miss WrestleMania after undergoing minimally invasive neck surgery last week. Jordan tweeted about the news: “This isn’t what I envisioned my Road to #WrestleMania would look like…but this won’t stop me. I’m coming back better than ever. #GoldBlooded #TheReturn”
John Cena appeared to reference The Undertaker on Raw, with him doing a promo and calling WrestleMania a place that can bring a legend back from the dead.
Renee Young hosted her own “Backstage Pass” pre-show on her Instagram stories before Raw this week.
Kevin Owens posted a tweet noting that today is the one-year anniversary of the Festival of Friendship where Owens turned against Chris Jericho.
David Bixenspan wrote about a letter Jerry Lawler sent to prosecutors in his 1993 statutory rape and sodomy case. Those charges were dismissed in 1994 as part of a plea agreement.
Jeff Hardy sat behind the UNC men’s basketball team’s bench for their game against Notre Dame.
TMZ interviewed AJ Styles about Ronda Rousey signing with WWE, with Styles comparing Rousey to Kurt Angle.
The Daily Telegraph in Australia spoke to Billie Kay about getting her own action figure.
Drew McIntyre thanked ICW after being inducted into their Hall of Fame yesterday.
Mick Foley has an appearance scheduled in Chicago on the day of WrestleMania. Foley will be part of a kickoff party and viewing party with Duffy’s Tavern & Grille and WrestleZone.
Music website Pitchfork picked up on Braun Strowman hitting Elias with an upright bass on Raw.
The second trailer for “Rampage” has been released. The movie stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
The Lapsed Fan wrestling podcast has part one and two of their look back at No Way Out 2004 and Eddie Guerrero’s title win.

Pro Wrestling

New Japan World uploaded a nearly 30-minute long video where Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi speak about their reunion, teaming together as the Golden Lovers again, and the ongoing Bullet Club split.
Filming for Lucha Underground season four will begin in Los Angeles later this month as three days of tapings were officially announced for February 23-25. They’ll be filming at a different venue than the previous three seasons, and Uproxx got a look at the new location.
Matt Riddle and Tom Lawlor will face off in a semifinal match in Orlando on March 8th as part of MLW’s tournament to crown a World Heavyweight Champion.
Riddle won a fan vote against Jonah Rock and will be challenging for Travis Banks’ PROGRESS Wrestling Championship in London February on 25th.
David Starr vs. Mike Quackenbush is the second match announced for Joey Janela’s Spring Break II on April 6th during WrestleMania week. Janela vs. The Great Sasuke will headline the show.
BBC.com ran a feature on the Monster Factory and some of their students who are trying to make it in pro wrestling.

UFC/MMA

After Dana White called him “full of sh*t” for saying a fight against Nate Diaz could happen, Woodley and White have a sit-down meeting scheduled for next week.
Leslie Smith is launching “Project Spearhead,” which is an attempt to have UFC fighters unionize.
Alexander Gustafsson warned Luke Rockhold about moving up to light heavyweight.
Justin Gaethje thinks Rose Namajunas will beat Joanna Jedrzejczyk again in their rematch.
Artem Lobov vs. Alex Caceres is set for UFC 223 in Brooklyn on April 7th.
Following his time on Celebrity Big Brother, Chuck Liddell spoke to TMZ and said a comeback to MMA is still a possibility. He mentioned Chael Sonnen and Tito Ortiz as potential opponents.

Today in Professional Wrestling History: Shawn Michaels loses his smile

WRESTLING OBSERVER / F4W – WRESTLEMANIA 34 in NEW ORLEANS

UPDATED

Here we go again! It’s back to New Orleans for Wrestlemania 34 and a huge weekend of spectacular professional wrestling related fun and wackiness. EdinSanAntonio Productions along with the Wrestling Observer / Figure Four Empire~! is proud to present the annual Wrestlemania weekend trip details. This huge weekend includes a number of website “members only” events. Below are the two events currently scheduled. Click here for full event details.

WOR Podcast Taping:Purchase TICKETS for the Wrestling Observer Radio LIVE MAILBAG~! – ONLY 8 General Admission Tickets Remain!

WHAT: Wrestling Observer Radio LIVE Podcast Recording with Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez
WHEN: Friday, April 6th, 2018 – 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Doors open at 8:45 a.m. for VIP ticket holders and at 9:15 a.m. for general admission)
WHERE: The Bourbon Room, Royal St. Charles Hotel in downtown New Orleans; 135 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130

WO/F4W Brunch:Purchase TICKETS for the Wrestling Oberver BRUNCH~! – SOLD OUT~!

WHAT: All you care to eat brunch buffet on the morning of Wrestlemania
WHEN: Sunday, April 8th, 2018 – T11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Court of Two Sisters restaurant in downtown New Orleans; 613 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70130

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