Daily Update: Jeff Hardy, WWE notes, Impact Plus

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Looking at AEW’s build to Cody vs. Dustin Rhodes

A brother vs. brother match will be one of the key pieces of All Elite Wrestling’s Double or Nothing card.

After weeks of teases, Dustin Rhodes was confirmed as his brother Cody’s opponent for Double or Nothing at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, May 25. Dustin issued a statement about his status with WWE after the announcement was made, revealing that he had requested his release from WWE and was granted it. Dustin also posted a video where he said goodbye to his Goldust character.

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.

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • In a post-SmackDown interview that WWE uploaded, Jeff Hardy said he’ll need to undergo right knee surgery in a couple of days and will be out of action for six to nine months. Jeff said he’ll have his whole right knee repaired. The Hardys vacated the SmackDown Tag Team titles last night, with WWE yet to announced how the new champions will be decided.
  • IWC (International Wrestling Cartel) tweeted that Rhyno will return to their roster this year: “BREAKING: It just became official! Former IWC Heavyweight Champion, @Rhyno313, will return to the IWC roster in 2019! When will the man-beast return?! Who will his target be?! There’s only one way to find out!” Rhyno’s contract with WWE expires in mid-July.
  • Akira Tozawa vs. Mike Kanellis in a no DQ match is set for next week’s 205 Live.
  • The Singh Brothers appeared on last night’s 205 Live and are now listed as members of the 205 Live roster. They dressed like their old Bollywood Boyz team, losing to Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado.
  • David Otunga was part of the commentary team for this week’s 205 Live and called the show with Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, and Aiden English.
  • Stacey Ervin Jr. spoke to NBC Sports’ website about his departure from WWE. Ervin said about John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight segment on WWE from March: “When I watched that, I wasn’t blown away. This is exactly what I’m going through.” Ervin noted that he didn’t suffer a concussion before leaving WWE, but a scary spill was a catalyst for his decision. Ervin said he didn’t walk away from WWE with any negative feelings and is still a fan.
  • WWE stock closed today at $82.63 per share, which was down 1.45 percent from yesterday.
  • Daniel Bryan is the guest on the first episode of Jimmy Jacobs’ podcast, with Bryan discussing “fame, success, consciousness, animals’ souls, living forever and so much more.”
  • TalkSport has an interview with WWE Champion Kofi Kingston.
  • Naomi is being inducted into the Boys & Girls Club Alumni Hall of Fame tonight.
  • WWE Network News reported that a one-hour Pro Wrestling USA video will be tomorrow’s addition to the WWE Network’s Hidden Gems section. Here’s the description for it: “Ric Flair battles Sgt. Slaughter while The Fabulous Freebirds face The Road Warriors and Paul Ellering from Pro Wrestling USA.”

Pro Wrestling

  • Impact Wrestling officially launched their Impact Plus subscription service today, which is a revamped version of the Global Wrestling Network. Impact’s four major annual pay-per-views will be available to purchase on Impact Plus. Those who buy PPVs on the service will receive three months of free access to Impact Plus with every purchase.
  • Here are the matches that have been announced for Impact’s Code Red show with House of Glory. It’s taking place at 8 p.m. Eastern this Sunday and is the first monthly live event that’s included with the Impact Plus subscription:
    Johnny Impact & Taya Valkyrie vs. Eddie & Alisha Edwards
    Michael Elgin vs. Willie Mack
    LAX (Santana & Ortiz) vs. oVe (Dave & Jake Crist) vs. New York Wrecking Krew (Smoothe Blackmon & Chris Seaton)
    Rich Swann vs. Ace Austin vs. Trey Miguel vs. Smiley vs. Evander James vs. Mantequilla for the House of Glory Crown Jewel Championship
    The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) vs. The North (Ethan Page & Josh Alexander)
    Tessa Blanchard & Violette vs. Scarlett Bordeaux & Sonya Strong
    Moose vs. Ken Broadway
  • Rosemary vs. Su Yung in a demon collar match, LAX vs. Rich Swann & Willie Mack, and a Knockouts division battle royal have been added to Friday’s Impact tapings at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, which will also feature RVD vs. Tommy Dreamer. Eddie Edwards vs. Killer Kross in a street fight and LAX vs. The Rascalz are set for Saturday’s tapings at the venue.
  • Lucha Central reported that an agreement has been reached for Jeff Cobb to receive his release from Lucha Underground. The report noted that Cobb will be released soon.
  • Tom Lawlor will face Contra Unit (Jacob Fatu, Josef Samael, and Simon Gotch) at MLW’s tapings in Waukesha, Wisconsin on June 1. MLW teased whether it will be a two-on-two or three-on-three match.
  • NWA National Champion Colt Cabana threw out the first pitch at this afternoon’s Chicago White Sox game.

UFC/MMA

  • ESPN’s Marc Raimondi wrote about Brock Lesnar’s status with USADA after Dana White said Lesnar is retired from MMA: “I asked UFC exec Jeff Novitzky if Brock Lesnar formally notified the UFC of his retirement and removed himself from the USADA drug-testing pool. Novitzky said he couldn’t comment. It’s UFC policy to only comment on those matters if a fighter has publicly said something first. Lesnar was tested by USADA as recently as a few weeks ago.”
  • Donald Cerrone said he’s no longer chasing a fight against Conor McGregor.
  • Felice Herrig suffered a torn ACL and won’t be able to face Yan Xiaonan at UFC 238 on June 8. Angela Hill will instead take on Yan at the show.
  • SI Films and Mandalay Sports Media are teaming together for a feature-length documentary called “UFC 1: Origin of the Octagon.” It’s scheduled to be released on the Sports Illustrated TV subscription service this fall.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Harley Race wins NWA title from Tommy Rich

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