Daily Update: Mauro Ranallo, Matt & Reby Hardy, Wrestlexpo

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Rey Mysterio’s US title win Joseph Currier looks at how WWE has started to use the legendary Mysterio to his full potential.

After periods of not being used as well as he should have been, it seems like Rey Mysterio’s legendary career may get the dream final stretch that it deserves.

Mysterio was at the center of a great moment on last week’s post-Survivor Series edition of Raw. With Humberto Carrillo being attacked by The O.C. before his scheduled title shot, Mysterio won two straight matches to become United States Champion. He defeated Ricochet, Randy Orton, and Drew McIntyre in a number one contender’s fatal four-way match and then beat AJ Styles to win the US title.

Mysterio pinned Ricochet to get the immediate title shot against Styles. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson had interfered when Orton had the fatal four-way won, and Orton then helped Mysterio even the odds a bit when The O.C. got involved in the title match. Orton took out Gallows and Anderson, gave Styles an RKO after Mysterio hit the 619, and Mysterio followed up with a frog splash to win the title. Mysterio then celebrated in the ring with his son Dominik.

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WON NEWSLETTER: December 2, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Survivor Series weekend, Mauro Ranallo/Corey Graves

Coverage of Survivor Series weekend and five shows in six nights in Chicago, as well as the business, polls and more, heads this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

We look at the directions things are going, how DVR viewership affects all the major shows, the decision on match order, what Vince McMahon was doing during the Survivor Seres main event, the next two major shows as well as Survivor Series and Takeover with full coverage and star ratings for every match.

The issue also covers:

The myth of NXT as developmental, World’s Collide, the next Takeover, the mention of Britt Baker on the air and more.

The tragic death of Aniah Blanchard, the stepdaughter of UFC fighter Walt Harris.

Changes in the UFC drug policy, regarding levels, what drugs are low levels now allowed, what UFC is encouraging fighters to do as far as supplements, . 

The situation with Corey Graves and Mauro Ranallo, what happened, why Graves should have been more careful, and where things stand.

Jim Cornette’s apology, how his departure from the NWA took place, more of the background as to why Cornette was castigated for things that nobody would have batted an eye about had others said and why, what NWA wanted to do with him and why their hand was forced.

C.M. Punk signing with FOX, Vince McMahon’s thoughts on Seth Rollins pushing the Punk match, TV ratings in Canada and overseas, WWE get awarded, legend selling home, Oney Lorcan talks future, Mike Bennett talks wanting to leave, Injury updates in WWE, WWE market value and the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network, plus notes on the house shows.

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. 

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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • As expected, Mauro Ranallo is back on commentary for tonight’s episode of NXT. The show will feature Rhea Ripley vs. Dakota Kai and the return of Kushida.
  • Matt and Reby Hardy welcomed the birth of their third son this morning. The baby’s name is Bartholomew “Bartie” Kit Hardy.
  • After it was confirmed that he’s returning to the company, John Morrison will appear on next week’s episode of WWE’s The Bump. The show airs on the WWE Network and WWE’s social media channels at 10 a.m. Eastern on Wednesday mornings.
  • Morrison tweeted about signing with WWE: “Confirmed. I have signed with @WWE – I’ve never been as good at anything as I am at wrestling & I can’t wait to stand again in a #WWE ring opposite the most talented people in the business‼️”
  • WWE uploaded a Playlist video of Morrison’s greatest moments.
  • Stephen Amell missed his scheduled appearance on WWE Backstage last night due to a pinched nerve in his back: “Just a quick note that I won’t be able to appear on #WWEBackstage tonight. Total bummer but I pinched a nerve in my back. On the mend, but wasn’t well enough for Promo School. I’ll be back. Promise.”
  • Last night’s Backstage featured an interview with Seth Rollins.
  • Madison Square Garden is advertising that Asuka & Kairi Sane will face Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair in a steel cage match for the Women’s Tag Team titles at WWE’s house show on December 26.
  • Squared Circle Sirens reported that Arissa LeBrock is attending this week’s WWE tryouts at the Performance Center. She’s the daughter of Steven Seagal and Kelly LeBrock.
  • Sheamus and The New Day were the guests on today’s episode of After the Bell with Corey Graves.

Pro Wrestling

  • AEW Dynamite is taking place at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois tonight. The following matches are set for the episode:
    The Young Bucks & Dustin Rhodes vs. Santana, Ortiz & Sammy Guevara
    Jon Moxley vs. Joey Janela
    Hikaru Shida vs. Kris Statlander
    Pentagon Jr. vs. Christopher Daniels
    Fenix vs. Trent Barreta
  • Chris Jericho spoke to Sports Illustrated about AEW building new talent: “One of my mission statements in AEW is to build new talent.People complain, ‘We don’t have any idea who this people are!’ It’s only been nine weeks, and we’re focusing on one person every couple of weeks. Building new stars will make this promotion successful. This past week gave Sammy Guevara some spotlight, as well as Ortiz, Santana, and SCU.”
  • TNT released an AEW Dynamite commercial that includes media quotes about the show “crushing, trouncing, and burying” NXT.
  • WWN’s WrestleMania week events next year will be called Wrestlexpo. The following shows have been announced:
  • Thursday, April 2:
    Noon – Accelerate Stage 1 (Accelerate will feature wrestlers from WWN’s partner promotions)
    4pm – Accelerate Stage 2
    8pm – PROGRESS
    11:55pm – WWN Supershow
  • Friday, April 3rd:
    Noon – EVOLVE
    4pm – SHIMMER
    8pm – TBA
    11:55pm – Kaiju Big Battel
  • Saturday, April 4:
    Noon – EVOLVE
    4pm – wXw
    8pm – TBA
    11:55pm – A “very special event” that will be announced on December 19
  • Angelina Love vs. Maria Manic is official for ROH’s Final Battle PPV. It’s taking place in Baltimore on December 13.
  • Hallowicked vs. Mark Haskins has been announced for ROH’s post-Final Battle tapings in Philadelphia on December 15.
  • Chris Van Vliet has an interview with Flip Gordon.

MMA

  • Jorge Masvidal will be part of the commentary team for Combate Americas’ Tito Ortiz vs. Alberto El Patron PPV this Saturday.
  • Holly Holm will face Raquel Pennington at UFC 246 in Las Vegas on January 18. The show is being headlined by Conor McGregor vs. Donald Cerrone.
  • Justin Gaethje is willing to be a backup for Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson’s fight if the UFC covers the costs of his training camp.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Misawa & Kawada win AJPW Tag Team titles

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