Daily Update: Kevin Owens injury, NWA notes, Sijara Eubanks

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Liv Morgan, Brie Bella, and the dangers of wrestling

What should have been a fairly innocuous six-woman tag match on last Monday’s Raw ended with Liv Morgan having suffered a concussion and with a social media controversy that has yet to fully die down. The Riott Squad faced The Bellas & Natalya on last week’s Raw as part of the build to Ruby Riott, Morgan & Sarah Logan vs. Ronda Rousey & The Bellas at Super Show-Down in Melbourne, Australia. 

WON NEWSLETTER: October 8, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Massive UFC 229 expectations, plus tons of news

Headed up with a major history piece on the 30-year history of Ted Turner’s involvement with pro wrestling and coverage of a week of so many major events, it’s a double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter this week.

Preview UFC 229 and why it is expected to be the biggest non-boxing PPV in history. Look at projections, some real numbers, some comparisons, and why Dana White says it wasn’t in Madison Square Garden.

The big story looks at Ted Turner and how he first got connected to pro wrestling in 1972, the role of Ray & Ann Gunkel, the wrestling war in Georgia that led to the two hour Saturday night block, the roles of Jim Barnett and Ole Anderson, and the first-ever Omni sellout.

Also look at the decision made by UFC and USADA to no longer announce drug test failures and why it wasn’t well thought out, as well as the reputation of USADA taking such a hit and the sad ironies of this.

Look at WWE Super Show-Down, ticket sales and ramifications.

Read the update on the 1,000th episode of Smackdown, WWE plans for NXT and ideas that have been talked about, major execs selling WWE stock.

Look at the big questions facing Bellator as they try and build their brand, as well as surprising notes of the Bellator brand vs U.S. pro wrestling companies and Saturday’s show in particular.

This issue has full coverage of ROH’s Death Before Dishonor with match-by-match coverage, business notes, polls and star ratings for the show.

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

  • From Dave Meltzer: “The angle last night with Bobby Lashley and Kevin Owens was a cover because Owens needs knee surgery.  While reports are out that it will be minor surgery and he will be back shortly, in actuality they won’t know the severity of the knee problems until he goes into surgery and that will determine the seriousness of the surgery.  There is no estimated time back because it is based on the severity of the injury and nature of the surgery.”
  • Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair’s SmackDown Women’s Championship rematch will kick off tonight’s SmackDown from the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The stipulation for the match is that if Lynch gets disqualified, Charlotte wins the title.
  • Commenting on a promo that she cut, Lynch mentioned that she’s working with a cracked jaw.
  • Speaking of Lynch, she will be a guest on MTV’s Ridiculousness tomorrow.
  • Braun Strowman & Ember Moon vs. Finn Balor & Bayley and AJ Styles & Charlotte Flair vs. R-Truth & Carmella are this week’s Mixed Match Challenge matches.
  • WWE uploaded a Raw fallout video where The Bellas explained the reason for the storyline where they attacked Ronda Rousey last night. Brie Bella accused Rousey of taking their spotlight, and Nikki Bella said they’re here to remind everyone that this is a “Bellalution.”
  • Rousey also continued the angle in a post on Instagram: “Dante’s Inferno says the innermost circle of hell is reserved for betrayers… That each of Lucifer’s three heads gnaw on the greatest sinners of human history …. Believe me, @thenikkibella @thebriebella you’ll prefer a relaxing break in the devil’s mouth over what’s coming for you at Evolution. #RondaVsBella #Evolution #WWEevolution”
  • Matt Hardy posted a teaser video for The Hardys’ Halloween special that was filmed for the WWE Network.
  • WWE 2K19 was officially released on PS4, Xbox One, and PC today.
  • The Revival defeated Heath Slater & Rhyno and Zack Ryder defeated Mojo Rawley on this week’s Main Event tapings.
  • PWInsider reported that Kane will appear on SmackDown 1000 next week.
  • Paige was the guest on this week’s edition of Chasing Glory with Lilian Garcia.
  • She also spoke to TV Insider ahead of the return of Total Divas tomorrow evening.
  • Maryse, Lana and other WWE stars will be on USA Network’s Talk Stoop program this week.
  • Today would have been Eddie Guerrero’s 51st birthday.
  • During his appearance on the Today Show this morning, John Cena said he grew out his hair for the movie that he’s filming in China.

Pro Wrestling

  • Willie Mack vs. Jay Bradley vs. Mike Parrow vs. Ricky Starks and Sammy Guevara vs. Colt Cabana vs. Scorpio Sky vs. Sam Shaw are the two four-way elimination matches that will be taking place at the NWA’s 70th Anniversary Show in Nashville, Tennessee on October 21. The winners will advance to a singles match later in the night to crown a new NWA National Champion.
  • The NWA uploaded Cody Rhodes’ title defense against Willie Mack from ROH’s post-Death Before Dishonor television tapings. Willie Mack’s story and the build to him challenging for the title were also featured on the latest edition of Ten Pounds of Gold.
  • Tracy Williams is the first participant announced for this year’s ROH Survival of the Fittest, where the winner will receive a future ROH title shot. This will take place on November 4.
  • Adam Birch, better known as Joey Mercury, is scheduled to be arraigned in Orange County court in Florida tomorrow morning in relation to two cases that led to his arrest last month during All In weekend. He is accused of Fraudulent Use or Possession of Personal Identification Information, Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card to obtain more than $100 in value, Grand Theft Third Degree and Petit theft in the first case and Identity Theft, Conspiracy to commit credit card fraud over $300, Use or Possession of Personal Identification Information and Petit Theft in the second case. Birch claimed in response that he was out of the country during the time the crimes allegedly took place. He is waiving his preliminary appearances and is demanding a jury trial.
  • Tammy Sytch has been released from Carbon County Correctional Facility in Pennsylvania today. She had been in jail since March after failing to appear in court for two DWI arrests.
  • Mick Foley will be a part of OVW’s 1000th episode on October 10. Jim Cornette, Danny Davis, Al Snow, Ken Anderson, ODB and Victoria have also been announced.
  • Here is this week’s edition of Being the Elite.
  • Brian Cage appeared on today’s episode of the Steve Austin Show.

UFC/MMA

  • Sijara Eubanks is not happy about her title match against Valentina Shevchenko being cancelled next month in favor of Daniel Cormier vs. Derrick Lewis. “Put me under card. Put me co main. I don’t care” she wrote on Twitter. “But put me in for the Flyweight title shot! @danawhite @Mickmaynard2 I’VE EARNED MY SHOT. THIS IS MY TIME. Quit running this thing like a circus.”
  • Duke Roufus, Sergio Pettis’ coach, on Twitter mentioned that will be moving back to bantamweight for his next fight.
  • John McCarthy talks about Chael Sonnen and Fedor Emelianenko ahead of their Heavyweight Grand Prix match this weekend.

Daily Professional Wrestling History: Nick Bockwinkel wins AWA title from Otto Wanz

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