Daily Update: John Cena, ROH PPV matches, new CMLL champion

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 6/5/2017: Looking at the timing of the Brock Lesnar vs. Samoa Joe dream match

Like with most things in pro wrestling, the most important part of a dream match is getting the timing right. It was almost a year ago that Kurt Angle wrestled Zack Sabre Jr. for Revolution Pro Wrestling during an overseas trip at York Hall in London. The live crowd appreciated Angle’s work and loved seeing him. The match itself was fine, mostly sticking to a formula that Angle had perfected during the latter stages of his career. 

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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: June 5, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Record low Raw ratings, death of Frank Deford, more

A look at what the record low ratings for Raw mean and don’t mean, and the value of Raw to the USA Network, is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Also, have a look at legendary sportswriter Frank Deford, the current WWE creative direction, more on the push of Jinder Mahal in India, the promotion you’ve never heard of that just drew 58,000 fans to a show this past week and how they did it, and the Best of the Super Juniors tournament coverage.

Also inside is a rundown of the business over the past two months for WWE, Impact and ROH, and a look at the reality of cord cutting and what it means, WWE business metrics, DVR usage, why Raw’s ratings tell only a small story about its value to USA, the television industry as a whole, do ratings matter, and changes in the PPV business.

Examine my time working with Frank Deford and The National, as well as his career, and his work.

Plus, look at the next two WWE PPVs, the main event planned for SummerSlam, and the direction the title picture is going, and more on Jinder Mahal as champion, WWE’s worldwide decisions and the quandary of doing business in India.

Check out the KSW promotion and the angles and stories that drew 58,000 to a show this past week, including notes on their top stars.

There are updates on WWE Network and other promotions airing on it, William Regal talks what WWE wants in talent and puts over a Rugby League star signed and who he was high on that the previous regime saw nothing in, and the new system vs. old system, Hulk Hogan, WWE injuries, Cena’ return, box office for Cena, Batista and Rock, contract expiring for an international star, lots of new women starting with the company, Lucha Libre star signs with the company, new TV show the company is behind with three of its stars, new WWE product in marketing deal with other companies, longest winning streaks, and WWE U.K. deals.

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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.)

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WON BACK ISSUE: May 15, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WCW Slamboree review, drug testing for wrestling in NY, more

The bill in New York written by State Senator Tom Libous of Binghamton, which would require state mandated drug testing of all pro wrestlers that work in New York, if it passes, would without question wind up in some form or fashion completely changing the pro wrestling industry as we know it. Whether that’s good or bad depends upon your point of view. There are a few things clear about pro wrestling. Even if some promoters can argue that they can regulate their own companies, the fact is, this business is largely a total failure at regulating itself. 

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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • WWE confirmed that John Cena will be returning to television on the July 4th episode of SmackDown in Phoenix, Arizona. Cena had previously indicated on Twitter that he would be returning on that date.
  • Cena spoke to The Wrap ahead of the return of his “American Grit” show. He talked about claims that he’s “buried” other wrestlers: “This is why I have the reputation of quote-unquote ‘burying younger talent,’ because I will let them do whatever they want with me — and then after they get done, they’re not as motivated. So, it’s not that I sink their ship, it’s that they fail to operate at an elite level. And I’m on to the next person, whom I say, ‘Hey man, bring your best punch and I’m gonna punch back’ — and they don’t take that attitude beyond me.”
  • Lilian Garcia made an appearance at today’s NXT UK tour show in Leeds to sing “God Save the Queen.”
  • The Mirror interviewed Drew McIntyre about the tour, his return to WWE, and Jinder Mahal’s title win.
  • Tonight’s episode of NXT has Bobby Roode returning to TV, Hideo Itami vs. Oney Lorcan, and No Way Jose vs. Killian Dain.
  • WWE posted a promo where Hideo Itami says that he’s not going back to Japan and isn’t done in NXT yet.
  • Finn Balor is in Japan to do media for WWE and has been visiting with some old friends. He posted pictures with Kazuchika Okada and KUSHIDA. WWE uploaded a video of Balor talking about it being his first time in the country since the Beast in the East show.
  • Bandwagon spoke to Seth Rollins about the entrance themes that he’s used.

Pro Wrestling

  • Ring of Honor has announced more matches for their Best in the World pay-per-view. The Young Bucks will defend their ROH tag titles against War Machine, Jay Lethal will face Silas Young, and Frankie Kazarian will take on Hangman Page in a strap match. The Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Massachusetts will host the PPV on June 23rd.
  • From our Chris Aiken on a CMLL title win that took place last night: “American luchador Marco Corleone (Mark Jindrak of WCW fame) won the CMLL Heavyweight title last night in Guadalajara. The title was recently vacated after the firing of Maximo in response to the incident with Ultimo Guerrero’s car. In the match last night, Corleone won the title in a 10-man cibernetico. The show was apparently taped as some matches from the Guadalajara shows air locally. So, a copy of the match could possibly surface elsewhere too at some point.”
  • PWG posted that Matt Riddle is off of their show on June 16th. He had been scheduled to team with Jeff Cobb against Chuck Taylor & Trent Baretta, but he’ll be defending his WWN Championship against Martin Stone at a Style Battle show on that day instead. WWN also announced that they’re allowing Riddle out of his bookings for EVOLVE on July 8th and 9th to pursue another opportunity. Riddle will be facing Tomohiro Ishii in a non-tournament match at Revolution Pro Wrestling’s British J-Cup show in London on the 8th.
  • Riddle will wrestle Tom Lawlor on September 23rd for Black Label Pro.
  • Wrestle:List interviewed David Starr about his career and the debate surrounding the style of modern independent wrestling.
  • Wrestling-Online spoke to Britney Young, who will be playing the role of “Carmen” in Netflix’s GLOW series.

UFC/MMA

  • Ariel Helwani tweeted that there’s “renewed optimism” for Cris Cyborg vs. Megan Anderson to take place at UFC 214 in Anaheim on July 29th.
  • Henry Cejudo vs. Wilson Reis and Sarah Moras vs. Ashlee Evans-Smith have been added to the UFC 216 card. Edmonton will host that show on September 9th.
  • Vice Sports has an article on Demetrious Johnson standing up to Dana White and the UFC.
  • Max Holloway posted a message of support to Jose Aldo after their fight at UFC 212.
  • Daniel Cormier claimed about Jon Jones: “I think he fought Ovince Saint Preux clean, and he didn’t like the way he felt, and tried to do something again dirty and he got caught at UFC 200.”
  • Cub Swanson wrote that it would be “ridiculous” for Frankie Edgar to get a title shot after losing four straight title fights.
  • Australian outlet ABC News ran a story on the UFC’s Robert Whittaker.
  • Former MMA fighter Brendan Schaub will co-host the pre-show on Spike TV prior to Bellator NYC on June 24th.

Today in Pro Wrestling History (6/7): CM Punk cashes in to win World title

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