Daily Update: Mauro Ranallo, ROH Honor United, Fabricio Werdum

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: All In sells out within 30 minutes

For all of the hype and expectations ahead of tickets going on sale, Sunday was going to be when the unknown became known for Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks. And with tickets for their Labor Day weekend All In show selling out in 29 minutes and 36 seconds, the Bullet Club’s success could be a landmark moment for professional wrestling. What began as Cody taking a Dave Meltzer tweet as a bet, where Meltzer responded to someone last May and tweeted that he didn’t think ROH could sell out a 10,000-plus seat building anytime soon, has now become the first show in the United States to do so in almost 20 years.

WON NEWSLETTER: May 21, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: USA potentially paying big money for Raw, more

A look at how the new WWE television contract situation will change the game once again is the lead story in the new issue of the Observer. Look at why the stock price is up, what analysts thought WWE would get with its deal, what kind of level we’re talking about now, interest level, where Smackdown may end up, the value of an episode of Raw and how that relates to PPV and where the key events should take place, and the long-term value of both UFC and WWE.

This issue also has a big feature on the All In show and weekend, with notes on the business, what questions were answered and what weren’t, who is on the show, ticket breakdown, secondary market numbers, how it compares with big WWE shows, as well as the largest crowds other non-WWE companies have done and other groups in the last 32 years to have drawn 10,000 for a live show. Also look at how unique this really is and the business of the Starrcast event.

Look at the new President of New Japan, Harold Meij, what his hiring means, what he brings to the table, one of his ideas that has already been used, just how much of a success he was in the toy business and his goals for New Japan’s future.

Also, look at NXT business numbers for the first three months of the year and compare it with last year at the same time.

There is an update on Money in the Bank, matches announced, other directions and look at the Ronda Rousey vs. Nia Jax direction.

Read about the lawsuit against C.M. Punk that is coming to the wire, thoughts on the John Cena/Nikki Bella storyline, NXT Takeover Chicago news, WWE wrestler media appearances, a list of new WWE signees from the U.K. and details of the contracts.

This issue has more on Amy “Lita” Dumas breaking ranks on Greatest Royal rumble, update on movies with big WWE names, a unique world class athlete WWE has just signed, why Cass is in trouble, who hasn’t won in 2018, and new matches and new injury updates.

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

  • PWInsider reported that Big Cass is backstage at SmackDown and walking with a limp after being pulled from facing Samoa Joe in a Money in the Bank qualifying match tonight due to what WWE.com said was an injury.
  • Mauro Ranallo appeared on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani yesterday to discuss his upcoming documentary, battling bipolar disorder and being a mental health advocate, and leaving the SmackDown announce team and going to NXT. Ranallo claimed he left SmackDown because of the effects the travel schedule was having on his mental health. The documentary on Ranallo will debut on Showtime at 9 p.m. Eastern on Friday.
  • WWE stock closed at $56.87 this afternoon, down 1.71 percent on the day after yesterday’s big surge.
  • Ken Shamrock tweeted about last night’s segment where Sami Zayn brought “Bobby Lashley’s sisters,” which were men dressed as women, to Raw: “When it’s good, #RAW is great entertainment and unparalleled athleticism. When it’s not, it can feel awkward to watch. The overall reaction to the Lashley bit makes me wonder, they had something more controversial written and the sister skit won out?”
  • In an interview with Sportbible, Daniel Bryan detailed why he didn’t like playing the on-screen general manager of SmackDown: “It was very difficult. I disliked it, strongly. I would try and leave as soon as I could and if I found out they might not have a segment for me on TV, I would be texting the writers being like, ‘Hey can I just stay home’ — a portion of that is not liking it and portion of that is because now I’m being away from Brie and my baby to do something I’m not passionate about. That was a weird mental thing for me.”
  • Today is Bryan’s 37th birthday. Brian Pillman also would have turned 56 years old today.
  • Jack Gallagher & Brian Kendrick defeated Kalisto & Lince Dorado and Apollo Crews defeated Mojo Rawley on last night’s Main Event tapings.
  • Mustafa Ali spoke to Al Jazeera about wanting to break down stereotypes and racial barriers through wrestling.
  • Bruce Prichard and Booker T were interviewed after appearing at NXT’s house show in Houston this past weekend.
  • The Worcester Telegram ran an article about Carmella returning to her hometown for tonight’s SmackDown.
  • WWE has opened a website for their Performance Center.
  • The old version of Shinsuke Nakamura’s theme music was played near the end of last night’s Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics playoff game.

Pro Wrestling

  • Doug Williams will be challenging for Silas Young’s ROH TV Championship at Honor United: Doncaster on Sunday. Dalton Castle & The Boys vs. Bully Ray, Shane Taylor & Punishment Martinez and Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian vs. Toru Yano & Kenny King have also been added to that show. Mark Haskins will face Jay Briscoe in London on Saturday.
  • Sammy Guevara vs. Fred Yehi has been announced for MLW’s TV tapings in Orlando on June 7th.
  • The Sendai Girls promotion is launching an on-demand service.
  • Danielle Moinet (formerly Summer Rae in WWE) appeared in a commercial for Kicker Audio.
  • Former Norwich City soccer player Grant Holt will be wrestling for WAW, which is run by Paige’s family.

UFC/MMA

12th Annual F4W Empire Vegas Convention

Greetings friends and fans of the F4W / Wrestling Observer website. It’s time to announce the details of the 12th annual F4W / Wrestling Observer Empire Las Vegas Convention~!

This year’s event will be taking place in Las Vegas from August 16th to the 20th and will again be in conjunction with WWE’s SummerSlam weekend a.k.a. Super China Buffet Day~! There will still be the usual events, but our big draw will be WWE’s summer blockbuster PPV, SummerSlam. As per tradition, we will all gorge ourselves at a Las Vegas buffet, and then watch SummerSlam in a rented out movie theater. All information and ticketing prices are available now. Sign up ASAP as spots are limited for some events. 

This year will also feature a Future Stars Wrestling show which will include the first ever Gladys Gibson Doubles Match Classic! Already booked for the show are the teams Mia Yim & Leva Bates, Hudson Envy & Shotzi Blackheart, Samantha Heights & Brittany Blake, and Miranda Alize & Kylie Rae. Kris Wolf will also be appearing along with many more future stars. There may even be a classic star or two making an appearance. You won’t want to miss this show! Check out the convention’s Facebook page for all additional information.

CONTACT INFORMATION