Daily Update: Matt Travis, Raw, ‘Playing with Fire’

DAILY UPDATE

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We’re looking for reports on yesterday’s WWE Smackdown show in Minehead, England as well as today’s shows in Aberdeen, Scotland and Dublin, Ireland to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com  We’re also looking for reports on the MLW TV tapings yesterday in Orlando.

We’re also looking for your thoughts on AEW Full Gear, 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

 Since Raw was taped on Friday, there are WWE live shows Monday in Glasgow, Scotland for Raw and Vienna, Austria for Smackdown.  Walter will be defending the NXT UK title against Jordan Devlin in Austria.  Tuesday has shows in Amsterdam, Germany and Lille, France. The Smackdown crew is in Zurich, Switzerland on Wednesday.

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Recapping WWE Crown Jewel

Joseph Currier gives his thoughts on Crown Jewel and the travel delays the WWE roster faced after the show.

When Crown Jewel ended last Thursday, it seemed like things weren’t quite as awful for WWE as their previous shows in Saudi Arabia.

In the ring, this year’s Crown Jewel was probably the best event that WWE has had in Saudi Arabia. There were low points, but the show was focused more on the current roster and special attractions than relying solely on nostalgia. Though Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair were part of the show, they coached teams of current wrestlers and weren’t actually competing themselves. A major title change even took place, with The Fiend becoming Universal Champion by defeating Seth Rollins in their falls count anywhere main event.

Most importantly for WWE, they got to put on the first-ever women’s match in Saudi Arabia. Natalya defeated Lacey Evans, and it went as well as could be expected. There were obviously restrictions, including what Natalya and Evans were allowed to wear. But the quality of the match was largely irrelevant to WWE. Natalya and Evans treated this like a milestone that they were honored to be part of. The audience also played their part, helping WWE’s narrative come off as more than just hollow messaging.

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WON NEWSLETTER: November 11, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Situation with WWE and Saudi Arabia, NXT invasion, more

One of the craziest stories in pro wrestling history, one that will be talked about in autobiographies to come, involves the WWE’s trip to Saudi Arabia. We’ve got a complete rundown on what happened as well as details of a story that involved hundreds of millions of dollars, the stock market, mainstream media, and much more. The new issue also covers: 

The decision to put NXT talent on main roster shows affected ratings for Raw, Smackdown and NXT.

A complicated story with a lot of issues, including a $60 million payment, let money, a new and better deal for WWE, lagging stock price, talent stuck in Saudi Arabia an extra day, a meeting called by Vince McMahon, what does and doesn’t add up among the different stories, the Smackdown show and how it went down, stock analyses look at WWE, and much more.

Coverage of UFC 244, with the story behind the fight, the stoppage of the main event, Nate Diaz’s 180 reaction on what he wants to do, Jorge Masvidal and the BMF championship, scary finishes, upsets and surprises along with match-by-match coverage and poll results from the show.

New Japan building two Tokyo Dome shows in January with key matches, angles being worked on, the retirement of Jushin Liger, the situation with Katsuyori Shibata, the return of Hiromu Takahashi, what Will Ospreay talked of, the upcoming tag team tournament, the junior tag team tournament, California shows as well as a full rundown of Power Struggle with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

The Randy Orton contract, interest level of Crown Jewel, Lance Storm goes to WWE in a non-wrestling role and why now, Styles pushes for angle which changes storyline direction, another finish changed on Raw, NXT future plans, lots of WWE injury notes, WrestleMania kickoff party and plans for the next show in Mexico City.

Upcoming War Games matches, UK stars on main roster shows, WWE’s biggest house show week of the year, the most watched shows on the WWE Network, plus WWE’s first show in the U.K. and a rundown on all the NXT house shows.

Kenny Omega’s possibly going after yet another world title with coverage of DDT’s big show at Sumo Hall. 

Coverage of the MLW PPV show, Dragon Gate’s Gate of Destiny with storyline notes and coverage and Pro Wrestling NOAH’s biggest event of the year at Sumo Hall.

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. 

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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I have our weekend show up covering Full Gear, last night’s New Japan show and also cover the reasons behind some of the things on Raw that airs tomorrow night.

We are sorry to report the death of New York independent wrestler Matt Travis, who was on his bicycle at 2:30 a.m. Saturday when a dump truck driver made an illegal left turn and hit him. He was rushed to Harlem Hospital and pronounced dead on arrival.  The driver didn’t stop and police are looking for him. Wrestlers all day yesterday were writing tributes about him. I believe he was trained originally by Amazing Red.

In the Google trends over the weekend, the only thing combat sports related was the Logan Paul vs. KSI rematch which did 2 million searches, making it No. 1 for yesterday. UFC and AEW did not crack the top 20 yesterday. AEW was on the list at one point but other subjects overtook it.

A few notes regarding Raw which are spoilers.  These are the matches:

  • Asuka & Kairi Sane defend the women’s tag titles against Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair
  • Sin Cara vs. Drew McIntyre
  • The Singh Brothers vs. R-Truth for the 24/7 title
  • Seth Rollins vs. Walter
  • Rollins & Kevin Owens & Street Profits vs. Imperium
  • Cedric Alexander vs. Andrade
  • Soner Durson vs. Erick Rowan
  • Viking Raiders vs. Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews
  • Randy Orton & Ricochet & Humberto Carrillo vs. A.J,. Styles & Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson

In the Lana angle that we talked about on the show earlier today, with Rusev and Bobby Lashley, at the end of the angle it is revealed as a ruse and that Lana really isn’t pregnant.  This angle got a really bad reaction live. Will be interesting to see if they change the crowd reaction audio.

“Playing With Fire” starring John Cena opened at an estimated $12.8 million for the weekend, putting it in third place behind Midway ($17.5 million) and Doctor Sleep ($14.1 million). The movie didn’t do well in reviews, with only 24 percent positive according to Rotten Tomatoes.

WWE

  • Natalya missed the TV tapings on Friday due to a family obligation.
  • Kambi has put up some odds for Survivor Series for star ratings (thanks to David Taylor):
    Men’s tag team title Triple Threat ***3/4
    Brock Lesnar vs. Rey Mysterio ***
    Women’s title three way ***3/4
  • A November 6, 1983 event at the Omni is now on the WWE Network in the new Hidden Gems listing.  The card is:
    Brad Armstrong vs. Joe Lightfoot
    Ron Garvin vs. Jake Roberts for the National title
    Jimmy Valiant vs. Great Kabuki
    Buzz Sawyer vs. Abdullah the Butcher
    Road Warriors vs. Dusty Rhodes & Brett Sawyer for National tag titles
    Tommy Rich vs. Ted DiBiase
  • At today’s WWE show in Dublin, Daniel Bryan asked if for the first time in a year people wanted the “yes” chants and they did so he led them doing so.

AEW

  • Another note on the show when we talked about Kenny Omega and Jon Moxley coming from CZW, Omega actually got his hardcore wrestling start in JAPW, the first U.S. group he worked regularly with, while Moxley was in CZW.
  • There was a skirmish on Thursday night at Tony Schiavone’s birthday party in Baltimore involving Excalibur and Jimmy Havoc.  It definitely happened, Tony Khan said it was a draw while other reports differed on that saying Excalibur choked him out.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • For those interested in going to Japan in January with a group of people Wrestling Travel has tour for the two Tokyo Dome shows here. They also have packages for the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania.
  • The toy company Super 7, based in San Francisco, announced they are coming out with New Japan action figures including Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii and Will Ospreay. They also have a Lucha Libre line with Blue Demon Jr. Tinieblas Jr., and Solar (thanks to Ross Blair)
  • King Mo, who retired from MMA on Friday, debuted yesterday for MLW in Orlando.
  • Myron Reed beat Teddy Hart to win the middleweight title at the Orlando show.
  • Kambi also has star ratings odds for the 1/4 show at the Tokyo Dome:
    Jay White vs. Tetsuya Naito ****1/2
    Kazuchika Okada vs. Kota Ibushi *****
    Will Ospreay vs. Hiromu Takahashi ****3/4
    Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Chris Jericho ****1/4
  • Tickets go on sale on 11/14 for the MLW return to Cicero Stadium on 2/29 at www.MLWtickets.com
  • WAR has an all women’s event on 12/6 in Lima, OH at the Bradfield Community Center.
  • Defy has shows on 11/30 and 12/1 in Seattle at Washington Hall.  12/1 will have all ages allowed. Only over 21 for the 11/30 show.  Meiko Satomura, Jimmy Havoc, El Phantasmo, Jake Atlas, Alex Hammerstone, Jacob Fatu, Douglas James and others are no both shows.  They also announced a 1/3 show with Matt Sydal.
  • Charli Evans vs. Avary was announced for Melbourne City Wrestling’s next GIRL show on 11/17. 
  • Erika Reid vs. Saraya Knight, Lena Kross vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto and Meiko Satomura vs. Mercedes Martinez were  announced for NHPW on 12/6 in Western Australia. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
  • Tajiri vs. Andruew Tang headlines the 11/23 Singapore Pro Wrestling show.
  • Joe E. Legend is doing a pro wrestling seminar on 11/17 for $40 at the House of Truth Pro Wrestling school in Center Line, MI.  He’s teaching European style chain wrestling match psychology, character development and different styles learned working all over the world.  For more info go to hotwrestlingschool.com
  • Pro Wrestling Eve from yesterday in London, UK:  Laura DiMatteo b Gisele Shaw, Rhia O’Reilly b Mei Suruga, Millie McKenzie b Nicole Savoy, Angel Hayze b Aleah James, , Jazz b Jetta, Mercedes Martinez b Kasey
  • The second show from yesterday:  Millie McKenzie b Gisele Shaw, Jetta b Mei Suruga, Kasey b Angel Hayze, Mercedes Martinez b Mercedes Blaze, Laura
  • DiMatteo b Nicole Savoy, Rhia O’Reilly b Jazz.  Promoter Dann Read thanks Jazz for coming in and talked about how great she was to work with and how back in the past she gave a lot of the women hope for the future of non-models in wrestling and said she deserves a run in WWE or AEW.  The entire roster came out to thank her. Jazz said she wasn’t expecting all this and thanked the fans, and aid she was in the T&A era but for her that stood for talent and ability.
  • Pro Wrestling Eve from today in London:  Promoter Dann Read announced Nicole Savoy was injured and off today’s show and Angel Hayze is out today and questionable for the next show.  Rhia O’Reilly announced i she wins the tournament she wants a shot at International champion Jamie Hayter. Jazz b Mei Suruga, Kasey b Mercedes Blaze, Jetta b Rhia O’Reilly, Mercedes Martinez b Amazon (Ayesha Raymond), Gisele Shaw b Rebel Kinney, Millie McKenzie b Laura DiMatteo.  The B block in the tournament comes down to a three-way with McKenzie, DiMatteo and Shaw. (thanks to Shannon Walsh and wrestlingwithdemons.net) 
  • EPW from last night in Melbourne:  Dan Moore b Gavin McGavin, Julian Ward b Kiel Steria, Jack Edwards & Tipene b Taylor King & Tyler Jacobs-DQ, Jay Taylor b Del Cano, Aaron Hawk & Dan Steel b Alex Kingston & Logan Grey in a street fight, Julian Ward b Dan Moore, Damian Slater & Marcius Pitt b Davis Storm & Richter, Mikey Nicholls b Michael Morleone to win the EPW title
  • MCW from last night in Melbourne:  Brat Pack won three-way over Ritchie Taylor & Mike Burr and Jett Rouka & Kaz Jordan, Gino Gambino & Bad Luck Fale b Atlas Whittaker & Emmanuel & Shaun Young, Avary b Lena Kross, Jake Andrewartha b Fun Time Phil, Steph DeLander b Kellyanne in a no DQ match to keep the women’s title, Danny Psycho b Hartley Jackson to keep the Intercommonwealth title, Robbie Eagles b Emman the Kid, Adam Brooks won elimination match over Alex and Dowie James to win the MCW title.  Gino Gambino & Fale attacked Eagles as part of the New Japan program where Eagles quit Bullet Club. This was the last show on longtime MCW booker Criss Fresh, who has retired from the position. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
  • Xia Brookside and Sean Kustom will be in Australia taking bookings from 11/20 to 1/2.
  • Shine from yesterday in Woodside, NY:  Madi Maxx b Savannah Evans, Tina San Antonio b Vanity, Candy Cartwright b Notorious Nadi, Ashley Vox & Delmi Exo won three-way over Brittany Blake & Avery Taylor and Gabby Gilbert & Luscious Latasha, Natalia Markova b Double D’Rose, Alex Gracia b Brandi Lauren, Shotzi Blackheart & Big Swole & Aja Perera b Allysin Kay & Marti Belle & Jayme Jameson.  Kay vs. Blackheart takes place today. 
  • CWE tonight in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan with Juventud Guerrera.  They also run 11/15 in Grande Prairie Alberta at the Jackpot Grill Events Centre with Guerrera and Jimmy Jacobs. 
  • Billy Gunn, Sammy Guevara and Matt Sydal are headed to IPWA in Ciname City Glilot, Israel on 12/15.
  • A story on Austin Idol opening a wrestling school in Greenville, SC. (thanks to Mike Kumzuk)

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Eddie Guerrero wins WCW Cruiserweight title

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