Daily Update: Kairi Sane, Jarrett, UFC 218 special on FS1 tonight

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THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO SHOWS

Raw will be on Monday from Chicago’s All-State Arena. John Cena and Roman Reigns return to Raw on the show.

Arena Mexico also runs Monday night with a cage of death where the last man left in the cage has to unmask.

Tuesday will be Smackdown and 205 Live from Chicago. The Raw brand will have a Madison Square Garden house show headlined by Roman Reigns vs. John Cena for the IC title and Sheamus & Cesaro vs. Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan in a cage match for the tag titles.

Wednesday will be a Raw at the Nassau Coliseum in New York and a Smackdown show in Detroit at the Little Caesar’s Arena (A.J. Styles vs. Jinder Mahal for WWE title, Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens, Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler vs. Bobby Roode).

​F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly 12/18/2017: Recapping WWE’s last PPV of the year

After a show that went about as well as it reasonably could have gone, SmackDown came out of Sunday’s Clash of Champions pay-per-view with some renewed optimism heading into WWE’s few biggest months of the year. AJ Styles defeated Jinder Mahal in the PPV’s main event. And with Mahal tapping out clean in the middle to Styles’ Calf Crusher, WWE’s seven-month experiment with Mahal as a main eventer appears to at least momentarily be on hold.

WON NEWSLETTER: December 25, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Vince McMahon football mystery, women’s Royal Rumble, tons more

This is a huge week for news and business, which means a double issue looking at the ramifications of Vince McMahon getting into football, the women’s Royal Rumble, Japanese awards and a story on the life and career of Tom Zenk.

The lead story looks at all the questions regarding Vince McMahon and football including the total XFL losses, the difference in the business landscape, why this could work and why it could fail even worse, as well as business moves Vince McMahon has already made as far as ideas are concerned. Also look at what the trademarks applied for tell us about the approach and the key story as far as the effect on wrestling, and the future of WWE without Vince McMahon in charge.

Take a look at the announcement of the Women’s Royal rumble and the silliness involved, as well as an update on Ronda Rousey and why the key idea for her debut apparently changed.

The story on Tom Zenk runs down his life from his friendship in high school with Curt Hennig, his time as a bodybuilder, getting into wrestling, how he was hit hard by Hennig’s death, lots of discussion about his leaving WWE and Rick Martel, the WCW years, wrestling in Japan, testifying against Vince McMahon in court and life after wrestling. 

This issue updates the business numbers for Mayweather-McGregor and the ridiculousness of a one billion dollar number being thrown around for doing UFC events.

Enjoy a look at Clash of Champions, with notes on creative, star ratings and poll results.

Read about ROH Final Battle, with booking notes, plus notes on people leaving ROH and what it means for its future, a major plan for 2018, as well as match-by-match coverage, star ratings and poll results.

There is an update on Dean Ambrose’s injury and the first plans on how the booking will change and who takes his role, where the injury may have happened, next MSG show, value of WWE to the USA Network, Dwayne Johnson and the presidency, WWE 2018 PPV schedule and a few major notes on it including what cities tentatively host PPVs next year. 

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.

WON BACK ISSUE: December 4, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: ECW turmoil, WCW Mayhem review, more

With just days before its next PPV, Extreme Championship Wrestling is in a state of turmoil to the extent that Paul Heyman at first didn’t want to even announce a card because he doesn’t know what wrestlers would appear. After many, if not most of the wrestlers and employees missed another check, putting them six weeks behind on pay, and with the Texas house shows officially canceled, the company only has three shows left on the books and a crew of panicked talent and an almost complete lack of trust among the talent toward Heyman.

SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

By Joseph Currier and Bryan Alvarez

WWE

Pro Wrestling

UFC/MMA

Today in Professional Wrestling History: Minoru Tanaka wins IWGP Junior Heavyweight title

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