Daily Update: Kevin Owens, Ken Shamrock, Missouri

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

WON NEWSLETTER: May 4, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Florida and UFC/WWE/AEW, more news

A look at how the major companies are looking at either running or not running is the lead story in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We also have a major feature on the characters from ABC’s 20/20, from David Schultz, John Stossell, Jim Wilson and Eddy Mansfield, as well as a feature on Gerald Brisco and how Vince McMahon got control of the TBS time slot for one year.

The issue also covers:

The schedule for UFC, WWE and AEW. 

The time frame Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida talked about for live events, the hypocrisy sanctioning these events, why UFC isn’t running Las Vegas, ESPN’s change of policy, another state open to bring in wrestling, boxing and MMA, UFC’s first show back, update on Fight Island, Bellator plans and Scott Coker talks his ideas.

Another feature on WWE financials with Vince McMahon’s quotes on all facets of business going forward and what is and isn’t honest about them.  We also look at why you can’t compare live attendance, what category does look good and what doesn’t, empty arena shows, costs of taping now and why Vince says the WWE Network should grow.

The firings of Cain Velasquez and Curtis Axel and the departure, at least for now, of Gerald Brisco.

How close Brisco and Vince McMahon have been, the 1984 purchase of GCW by McMahon and how it went down, how McMahon lost the time slot after one year, the WWE signing and usage of Velasquez, and what major WWE decision-maker thought Axel would be one of the company’s signature stars.

The latest episode of Dark Side of the Ring on David Schultz. We look at the start of Schultz’s career, his feud with Hulk Hogan, slapping John Stossel, Eddy Mansfield, Jim Wilson, Jim Barnett, how Schultz got fired by WWE, Jim Cornette on the show, the Lou Thesz-Eddy Mansfield confrontation, the deregulation of wrestling, and how the story on Jimmy Snuka and the 20/20 story on wrestling intertwine.

New Monday night competition to Raw, 2K plans or 2020, How WWE stars get paid, wrestler who pulled out of tapings this past week, U.K. and Canada TV ratings, Taynara Conti and Mike Bennett talk being released, Jerry Lawler talks his remark bout Tozawa, Heath Slater talks his departure, David Starr talks current conditions and the most-watched bouts for the past week on WWE Network.

A harrowing story on Ilima lei-Macfarlane and her childhood going to the famed Punahou Schoolin Hawaii and the dirty secret the school covered up for decades that has just come to light.

Full coverage of the Impact Rebellion show with so many champions not there, as well as match-by-match coverage.

Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.

In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.

Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week. 

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.

SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight talking this upcoming week’s news, some history as well as taking questions that you can send to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com

Regarding the Kevin Owens ankle injury, it happened at WrestleMania. The spot it happened is unknown as apparently he never felt a thing during the match and then the next day his ankle was swollen.  He expects to be out a few more weeks.

Not wrestling related, but Missouri will be allowing concerts with fans at least ten feet apart starting tomorrow.

I’ve been reading the new book “Shamrock:  The World’s Most Dangerous Man” by Jonathan Snowden. I’m up to 1994 but this is a hell of a read. Shamrock’s early life was a nightmare and the book does uncover a lot of secrets of that period, plus the origination of MMA with both the early days of Pancrase and UFC, as well as the second UWF promotion. I can only say thus far it’s at the level of the Brian Pillman book by Liam O’Rourke and the Laprade/Hebert book on Andre the Giant which are the gold standard for wrestling biographies.

We finally do have a legit slow news period, although it will pick up this coming weekend with UFC & Money in the Bank, plus a week from Wednesday has three shows head-to-head with UFC, AEW and NXT.

The only thing combat sports related that cracked Google searches this past week was Mike Tyson’s sparring session on Friday that did 50,000 searches for No. 14 on the day. Next week should be different from UFC 249 and Money in the Bank.

WWE

  • Raw right now has Drew McIntyre vs. Murphy non-title, A gauntlet match for the last spot in the men’s Money in the Bank, the return of A.J. Styles, Street Profits vs. Viking Raiders for the tag titles and Ricochet & Cedric Alexander vs. Shane Thorne & Brendan Vink.
  • FOX 35 in Orlando talks to Drew McIntyre. (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)
  • Bob Arum has done an about-face about running shows right now and thinks what Dana White is doing is dangerous. 

MISCELLANEOUS

  • AAA Lucha Capital from last night can be found here. People have raved bout Pentagon Jr. vs. El Hijo del Vikingo match and they had L.A. Park vs. Dr. Wagner Jr. on top.
  • Canadian Wrestling Elite is now planning a 10/17 to 11/9 tour through five provinces with Vampiro and Shane Douglas as the headliners.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: AJ Styles wins IWGP Title

CONTACT INFORMATION