Daily Update: Jeff Hardy, WWE tryouts in Saudi Arabia, All In

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

​F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Seven thoughts from Wrestlemania 34

With a card that was still strong on in-ring action, Sunday’s WrestleMania 34 ended up being one of the weirdest events that WWE has ever produced. The show seemed destined to become one of the best in WrestleMania history, starting off with two very good matches and peaking with Ronda Rousey & Kurt Angle vs. Stephanie McMahon & Triple H blowing away all expectations. The Undertaker answered John Cena’s challenge shortly after that, squashing him in under three minutes. And Daniel Bryan returned to the Superdome and made his in-ring return in what was a great moment.

WON NEWSLETTER: April 16, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Historic Wrestlemania 34 weekend reviewed, more

This issue contains complete coverage of WrestleMania, NXT Takeover, ROH Supercard of Honor and UFC 223, with match-by-match coverage, poll results and star ratings.

Look at WWE’s future direction after WrestleMania, exactly how everything went down with the decision to change the finish and have Brock Lesnar win and the current Lesnar contract, his UFC talks and more. Look at why this will be going down the same way very shortly.

Have a look at who did and didn’t know about Reigns losing, what the script said, what and when the referee was told, what happened backstage after the match, why Lesnar gets special privileges and what happens next with the title.

Read why Cena vs. Undertaker went down the way they did, the return of Chris Jericho, update on Rey Mysterio’s contract, and what is next for the Greatest Royal Rumble and Backlash shows.

Check out the WWE Network numbers and what we can learn from them, and WWE’s business projections for the year and for the next quarter. Find out the viewing patterns on the network and how much it was up per person and what that means, plus an update on network plans.

Read about the live business in New Orleans and what it really was the last time compared to what was announced.

This issue has full details on what happened with Conor McGregor, as well as all the different things that went into Khabib Nurmagomedov facing Al Iaquinta. Look at Floyd Mayweather in MMA, what is next for McGregor, what happened with McGregor that hasn’t gotten out yet, and the story behind the New York not calling it a title match.

Check out the coverage of Impact vs. Lucha Underground, Progress, Revolution Pro, House of Hardcore, Evolve, the Super Shows and all the major activities in New Orleans over WrestleMania week.

Read more on the death of Johnny Valiant, the end, at least for now, of Being the Elite, why WWE is back in the U.K. game and where the ITV project stands.

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.

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • The Superstar Shakeup comes to an end as more wrestlers are added to SmackDown tonight. The Miz joined the brand last night, with a program with Daniel Bryan seemingly on the horizon. Most of the Raw roster is already traveling to South Africa for this week’s house shows, though that doesn’t mean they can’t be announced as moving to SmackDown in video packages or pre-taped videos.
  • Miz replied to Daniel Bryan wanting to punch him: “Be very careful punching my face.  You might injure yourself and be out another 3 years. See ya tonight! #SDLive”
  • PWInsider reported that Jeff Hardy is backstage at SmackDown. He won the United States Championship from Jinder Mahal on Raw, leaving SmackDown without a midcard title for the time being.
  • Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado vs. Hideo Itami & Akira Tozawa is set for tonight’s 205 Live.
  • WWE will be holding tryouts at King Abdullah Sports City Sports Hall in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from tomorrow through Saturday, with “performers with a diverse background in sports, including soccer, powerlifting, volleyball, boxing, jiujitsu, gymnastics, CrossFit, and taekwondo” in attendance.
  • Today marks one year since Matt Anoa’i (known as Rosey in WWE) passed away. Roman Reigns wrote about his brother on the anniversary: “I miss my Brother so much. He will be forever loved and never forgotten. #RIPMatt”
  • The first episode of Bruce Prichard and Conrad Thompson’s “Something Else to Wrestle With” will be made available on the on-demand section of the WWE Network tomorrow. The first show covers WrestleMania XIV.
  • AL.com has an article on Thompson ahead of the show’s premiere.
  • Ronda Rousey paid tribute to Roddy Piper on what would have been his 64th birthday: “Happy Birthday to the Legend, my Hero and Inspiration, Rowdy Roddy Piper. You are sorely missed and always remembered”
  • While this hasn’t been officially announced, WWE indicated last night that Alexa Bliss would be getting her Raw Women’s Championship rematch against Nia Jax at Backlash on May 6th.
  • Kurt Angle and Shelton Benjamin reunited as the SmackDown roster was there for this week’s Raw,
  • After writing a message where he thanked the fans and said the younger wrestlers are what matters to him now, Goldust clarified that he isn’t retiring.
  • Braun Strowman and Alexa Bliss will be on the next episode of Ride Along.
  • The Singh Brothers thanked everyone who has helped make their first year on the main roster a success.
  • Sports Illustrated interviewed Goldberg about working with Brock Lesnar and not closing the door on his in-ring career despite being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Pro Wrestling

  • A press conference for All In will take place at Pro Wrestling Tees’ store in Chicago on May 13th at 1 p.m. local time. Cody Rhodes, Brandi Rhodes, The Young Bucks, Marty Scurll, Hangman Page, and Tessa Blanchard are featured on the imaging for the event, which will include “several talent/match announcements, surprises, ticket info, Starrcast info, and charity info.” The first 50 fans who arrive will be allowed to attend the press conference, with it streaming live on Twitch and Facebook for everyone else.
  • beIN Sports released the first commercial for MLW’s debut on the station. The first episode premieres at 8 p.m. Eastern time on Friday night.
  • MLW touted that Jake Hager (the former Jack Swagger) will debut at their TV tapings on May 3rd.
  • Shane Strickland is among the wrestlers scheduled for EVOLVE 104 on May 19th in the Chicago area and EVOLVE 105 on May 20th in the Detroit area. German wrestler Bad Bones, WALTER, and Timothy Thatcher will be wrestling at EVOLVE 106 on June 23rd in Queens, New York and EVOLVE 107 in Melrose, Massachusetts on June 24th.
  • ESPN interviewed Liam O’Rourke about his “Crazy Like a Fox” book on Brian Pillman.
  • Mark Henry sent a message of encouragement to Rich Swann after Swann returned to the ring for the first time since his December domestic battery arrest and being released by WWE: “So good to see my guy @GottaGetSwann I’m all about second chances Jesus gave me one!”
  • Jim Cornette launched a Kickstarter campaign for his “Behind the Curtain: Real Pro Wrestling Stories” graphic novel.

UFC/MMA

CONTACT INFORMATION