Daily Update: Killer Kross, WWE upfronts, Being the Elite

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We’re looking for your thoughts on UFC 237, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

  • We’re looking for reports from these weekend shows:
  • Smackdown today in Bornemouth, UK
  • Raw Marseilles, France on Friday
  • Evolve from Livonia, MI on Friday
  • Evolve from Indianapolis on Saturday

We’re looking for reports on these shows to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com. 

Raw will be tonight from the O2 Arena in London while there will be a Smackdown house show on Monday in Bornemouth, UK. Raw has announced Roman Reigns on Miz TV, Natalya vs. Naomi vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Dana Brooke, Ricochet vs. Baron Corbin and Braun Strowman vs. Drew McIntyre.

NEW JAPAN BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS DAY TWO IN SENDAI ON TUESDAY AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura
  • Tiger Mask & Jonathan Gresham & Ren Narita vs. Taichi & Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Taka Michinoku
  • Juice Robinson & Dragon Lee vs. Sho & Shota Umino
  • Brody King & Marty Scurll vs,. Taiji Ishimori & Gedo
  • Titan & Toa Henare vs. Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi
  • Ren Narita vs. Douki
  • Rocky Romero vs. Robbie Eagles
  • Bandido vs. Phantasmo
  • Will Ospreay vs. Bushi
  • Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Yoh

Smackdown and 205 Live will be taped on Tuesday at the O2 Arena in London while Raw has a house show in Paris, France. Announced for the London show is a possible Kevin Owens Show with Kofi Kingston, Finn Balor vs. Ali vs. Andrade vs. Randy Orton and Kairi Sane & Asuka vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville plus for 205 Live, Tony Nese vs. El Ligero non-title and a four-way with Humberto Carrillo vs. Jack Gallagher vs. James Drake vs. Mark Andrews.

NEW JAPAN BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS DAY THREE IN AOMORI WEDNESDAY AT 5:30 A.M. ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Yota Tsuji vs. Brody King
  • Flip Gordon & Ren Narita vs. Jado & Robbie Eagles
  • Ryusuke Taguchi & Shota Umino vs. Taichi & Desperado
  • Juice Robinson & Will Ospreay & Bandido vs,. Rocky Romero & Yoh & Toa Henare
  • Tetsuya Naito & Bushi vs. Phantasmo & Gedo
  • Jonathan Gresham vs. Taka Michinoku
  • Tiger Mask vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Titan vs. Shingo Takagi
  • Marty Scurll vs. Taiji  Ishimori
  • Dragon Lee vs. Sho

Wednesday has Raw in Birmingham, UK and Smackdown in Magdeburg, Germany.

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: WWE introduces Wild Card rule

Coming off of an underwhelming first quarter financial report and a week of record-low ratings, this Monday’s Raw offered WWE the chance to show they understand how to fix the problem.

WWE did acknowledge that the problem exists. Hoping to help out the ratings and counter two NBA playoff games, WWE hyped that SmackDown’s Roman Reigns would be appearing on Raw. His appearance was made apparent but not actually officially announced in advance, with WWE playing up that Reigns was defying a statement they put out claiming that he couldn’t be on the show due to his obligations as a SmackDown wrestler.

WON NEWSLETTER: May 13, 2019 Observer Newsletter: AEW UK PPV details, WWE wild card rule, more

An update on AEW distribution, PPV, television and streaming, is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Look at the full distribution around the world for Double or Nothing, as well as updating where things stand when it comes to television.

Look at pricing, preshow, who is carrying it, how strong ITV 4 is, how this compares with WWE’s distribution and probable viewership, where things stand with U.K. television, details on Casino Battle Royale plans, the main championship, updating the show and lots of new signings.

Go in-depth on not just the XFL television deal and finances, but the lessons of the deal and how the deal is a 180 from the UFC deal. 

Also look at the changes in Raw and Smackdown this past week, why they were made, where NBC Universal and FOX stand, WWE star power, how the European tour affected this week’s television, how it affects touring, plus updates on the Money In The Bank show.

Also look at the 2019 Best of the Super Juniors tournament, including what matches to watch out for, the schedule, the positioning of Will Ospreay, and the schedule.

Look at the two New Japan Dontaku events, what the events say about both Japan and U.S. popularity, the story behind Okada vs. Sanada, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

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.

MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back with Wrestling Observer Radio tonight covering Raw, AEW, New Japan Super Juniors and other topics. You can also send e-mail questions to the show to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com.

I haven’t watched Sho vs. Shingo Takagi yet, but have been told it was incredible earlier today in day one of Best of Super Juniors.

The first 2:00 of Being the Elite is hilarious. If you are a really defensive WWE fan you won’t enjoy it, but this was the best episode in some time, especially the Rick Knox thing.

At the WWE upfronts for NBC Universal, the Bellas claimed that Raw would remain the top show. The Bellas presented a highlight reel of Raw that featured John Cena and Ronda Rousey. I was told WWE came off kind of flat in the room. Because all the stars are in Europe, at the FOX upfronts they used Cena and Rousey. People are speculating that means Rousey returns, but they needed her here because they needed big stars that non-fans in the room would know.

Mike Johnson at PW Insider reported that Killer Kross has asked for his release from Impact. There is considerable interest outside Impact in Kross. Johnson reported Kross asked for six figures to stay but was turned down. The report said Impact offered him a new contract for three-years for less than six figures, giving him a guarantee instead of a per date contract. Kross turned down the offer and asked for his release. The company turned down the request noting he’s under contract for several more years.

WWE

  • The Raw crew will be working a 6/27 show at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, which is one of the home bases of ONE.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • The final episode of the Darkside of the Ring Series will be Wednesday night on Fabulous Moolah.
  • A feature on Steve Yohe, who may be the single most important person in the world in compiling a legitimate history of pro wrestling before 1950. Before he came along, everything was haphazard at best.
  • MCW’s Jimmy’s Slamboree on 6/1 in Joppa, MD at the CW Arena with Shawn Spears (Tye Dillinger), Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa in a show to raise money for the family of The Bruiser who is battling leukemia. You can also show support here.
  • Warrior Wrestling from last night in Chicago Heights, IL: Brian Cage (first match back from injury) won three-way cage match over Wardlow and Austin Aries to keep the title, Brian Pillman Jr. b Robert Ego Anthony which gave Pillman five minutes with Frank the Clown, Space Pirates b Ugly Ducklings, Tom Lawlor b Chris Ridgeway, Sam Adonis b Pat Monix no DQ, Volador Jr. b Gringo Loco, Penta 0M & Rey Fenix b Daga & Kotto Brazil, Tessa Blanchard b Jordynne Grace to become the first Warrior champion with Molly Holly as referee.
  • WrestleCircus from last night in Austin, TX: Dezmond Xavier b Scorpio Sky, Leva Bates (Librarian) won four-way over Shazza McKenzie, Christi Jaynes, and Alex Gracia, Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel won three-way t take tag titles over Logan & Sterling Riegel and Gregory James & Andy Dalton, Lance Hoyt won six-way over Colin Delaney, Peter (Librarian) Avalon and Fuego del Sol, Sammy Guevara b Joey Janela (super match), Puma King b Jake Atlas, JT Dunn b Sami Callihan, Gentleman Jervis b Orange Cassidy, Sammy Guevera b Dezmond Xavier to win the cacant Ringmaster title, Scorpio Sky b Sammy Guevera in an impromptu match to win the title. The storyline is that Sky is taking their title to AEW. (thanks to Shannon Walsh at wrestlingwithdemons.net)
  • IWS on 6/22 at Club Unity in Montreal with Sabu vs. Sexxxy Eddy.
  • Empire State Wrestling on 6/1 in Fairport, NY at Village Sports with The Colony from CHIKARA and John McChesney.
  • ECCW’s 23rd anniversary show is 5/31 in New Westminster, BC at The Anvil with Jeff Cobb vs. Artemis Spencer with no time limit for the Canadian title.
  • All Star Wrestling on 6/15 in Vancouver BC at the Maritime Labour Centre with Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Azeem the Dream.
  • All Star Wrestling also runs 5/25 in Surrey, BC at 6050A 176th St.
  • Legacy Fighting on 6/7 from Cabazon, Ca at the Morongo Outdoor Pavilion  with Maikel Perez (6-1) facing former UFC star Brandon Moreno (14-5) for the flyweight championship. The show airs live on AXS. Former Bellator star Brandon Halsey (12-5) faces Blake Trop (8-5) in the semi.
  • KSW on DAZN on 5/18 is headlined by a match for the vacant middleweight title with Michal Materla (27-6) vs. Scott Askham (17-4) plus a welterweight title fight with Roberto Soldic (15-3) vs. Krystian Kaszubowski (7-0).
  • A group called UWF debuts on 6/23 in Santee, CA at the Carlton Oaks Country Club with Jasmin St. Clair as host featuring Buggy Nova, Ruby Raze, Black Mamba and others.
  • Superkicked on 5/17 in Toronto at the Great Hall and San Andres vs. Jake Something.
  • Joey Janela vs Slex was signed for World Series Wrestling on 6/22 in Melbourne.
  • MWE on 6/15 in Eden Prairie, MN at the Champions Hall with Tony Kozina, Mitch Paradise and Danny Duggan.
  • CZW results from Saturday night in Voorhees, NJ: Jordan Oliver & Griffin McCoy & Eliis Taylor & Charlie Tiger b Gabriel Skye & Tristen Thai & Shawn Kemp & Jonathan Wolf, Nate Carter & Dave McCall b New York Wrecking Krew, Casanova Valentine b Dan O’Hare, Matt Travis b Jimmy Rave, Jimmy Lloyd won three-way over Gary Jay and Cole Radrick, John Silver b Matt Tremont to keep the CZW title, Masada b Brandon Kirk in a tangled  web match.
  • A correction from yesterday. The 6/30 York Hall Pro Wrestling Eve show is WrestleQueendom 2, and the international title match will be a three-way with Jamie Hayter vs. Nina Samuels vs. Utami Hayashishita. (thanks to Chris Gannon)
  • Randy Couture will be starring in a pro wrestling horror movie (for some reason I think of 1999 WCW) called Manson Brothers Midnight Zombie Massacre. It’s a story about an aging brothers tag team who have fallen from the top and are now in a small promotion and must face each other in a midnight cage match on Halloween with fans who are all infected with rabies. They have to fight for their lives against the rabid fans to prevent being killed by the zombies.
  • Another wrestling horror film comes out tomorrow from InterVision Pictures called “Masked Mutilator” about a pro wrestler who accidentally kills his opponent in the ring and ends up working at a group home. A psychopath wearing a pro wrestling mask starts killing the teenagers in the rehab center. 
  • Combate Americas on 6/7 in Tucson AZ at Casino del Sol will air live on Univision and Univision Deportes. The main event is Jose Alday (12-4-1) vs. Juan Pablo Gonzalez (7-2-2) in a bantamweight fight.
  • ICW on 5/17 in Queens, NY with Sami Callihan vs. Nick Gage in a last man standing match plus Rich Swann vs. Marko Stunt and Homicide vs. Joe Gacy vs. Pinkie Sanchez vs. KTB.
  • Tatanka, Tommy Dreamer, Tony Atlas, Tito Santana, Little Guido, Snitsky and others will be wrestling on Friday night in Long Valley, NJ at the Meadowbrook Fieldhouse for East Coast Pro Wrestling.
  • Defy on 6/15 in Portland, OR a the Hawthorne Theater featuring Brian Cage, Artemis Spencer and TJP. 
  • Billy Blue River writes about his wife Beverly Shade and her PWHF induction.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Rick Martel wins AWA World title

F4W Empire Convention Info:

  • Ed in San Antonio presents PODER~! at the FSW arena on Friday 5/24 – Showtime is at noon – Main event: Bryan Alvarez vs. Logan Stunt
  • Empire dinner on Friday 5/24 at 8:30 p.m. at Texas de Brazil – Price is $82 – All you can eat meat and salad, sodas, tea, and coffee, plus dessert included
  • Empire suite party on Friday 5/24 for those who were not able to get the Q&A package – Price is $25

Purchase tickets here. 

CONTACT INFORMATION