Daily Update: Mayweather vs. McGregor, Mae Young Classic, G1

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

We’re looking for reports on tonight’s WWE Raw show in Roanoke and NXT shows in Seattle, WA and St. Augustine, FL to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

We’ll be doing one poll this weekend, which will be for the first night of the G-1 tournament on late Sunday night (Monday morning) from Sapporo.

NEW JAPAN WORLD PRO WRESTLING AT 8 P.M. EASTERN ON AXS TV

  • Will Ospreay vs. Kushida in the Best of the Super Juniors finals

BELLATOR TONIGHT FROM THACKERVILLE, OK ON SPIKE AT 9 P.M. EASTERN

  • Joe Warren (135.9) vs. Steve Garcia (134.5)
  • Emily Ducote (124.4) vs. Jessica Middleton (125.9)
  • Kendall Grove (185.7) vs. John Salter (185)
  • Derek Campos (155.4) vs. Brandon Girtz (157.7)* Girtz missed weight

LEGACY FIGHTING ALLIANCE AT 9 P.M. EASTERN TONIGHT ON AXS TV

CMLL FROM ARENA MEXICO AT 9:30 P.M.

  • Marcela & Silueta & Vaquerita vs. Amapola & Zeuxis & Dallys
  • Diamante Azul & Soberano Jr. & Blue Panther vs. Negro Casas & Mr. Niebla & Sam Adonis
  • Pierroth vs. Vangellys hair vs. hair
  • Mistico & Dragon Lee & Caristico vs. Mephisto & Ephesto & Luciferno
  • Volador Jr. vs. Ultimo Guerrero for the Universal championship tournament final

Saturday has Raw in Huntington, WV, headlined by John Cena; Smackdown in Pensacola, FL, and NXT shows in Portland, OR, and Gainesville, FL. We’re looking for reports on all of those shows to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

Sunday has Raw in Lexington, KY, headlined by John Cena and Smackdown in Tallahassee, FL.

UFC ON SUNDAY FROM GLASGOW, SCOTLAND AT THE SSE HYDRO

Fight Pass at Noon Eastern time

  • Amanda Lemos vs. Leslie Smith
  • Brett Johns vs. Albert Morales

FS 1 at 1 p.m. Eastern time

  • Danny Henry vs. Daniel Teymur
  • Galore Bufando vs. Charlie Ward
  • Alexandre Pantoja vs. Neil Seery
  • Bobby Nash vs. Danny Roberts
  • James Mulheron vs. Justin Willis
  • Paul Craig vs. Khalil Rountree
  • Ryan Janes vs. Jack Marshman
  • Paul Felder vs. Stevie Ray
  • Joanne Calderwood vs. Cynthia Cavillo
  • Gunnar Nelson vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio

NEW JAPAN G-1 OPENING NIGHT ON SAPPORO AT THE HOKKAIDO SPORTS CENTER AT 2 A.M. LATE SUNDAY NIGHT EASTERN

  • Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Jushin Liger vs. Michael Elgin & Juice Robinson & David Finlay
  • Minoru Suzuki & Taichi & Desperado vs. Kenny Omega & Tama Tonga & Chase Owens
  • Seiya Sanada & Bushi vs. Evil & Hiromu Takahashi
  • Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Toru Yano & Jado
  • Yuji Nagata vs. Yoshi-Hashi
  • Togi Makabe vs. Bad Luck Fale
  • Hirooki Goto vs. Tomohiro Ishii
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • Tetsuya Naito vs. Kota Ibushi

        Some interesting tag matches as the top three are all matches you’d never see on a regular show. Suzuki vs. Omega is to tease their 7/20 singles match main event.

Monday has Raw TV in Nashville. The Kurt Angle mystery is supposed to be solved on Monday night plus Samoa Joe vs. Roman Reigns for the SummerSlam title match is on the show. No Brock Lesnar this week at least at this point. There is also a Smackdown house show in Columbus, GA. John Cena will be on that Smackdown show.

Tuesday has the go-home Smackdown show from Birmingham, AL plus 205 Live. Announced is that they will be bringing the Punjabi Prison to TV, plus Drew Gulak vs. Mustafa Ali in a 2/3 fall match and Jack Gallagher vs. Brain Kendrick are scheduled.

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: Figure Four Weekly 7/10/2017: What’s next for Samoa Joe?

While the question of whether that was actually a double-turn with Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman was the most interesting question coming out of Great Balls of Fire, the biggest long-term issue may be what’s next for Samoa Joe after his main event with Brock Lesnar. Lesnar vs. Joe offered few surprises, mostly delivering on what everyone thought it would be. Joe was a credible threat to Lesnar (despite having to cheat to get most of his offense) before losing in about six minutes. The match felt like the big fight that it was built up to be and Joe more than held his own.

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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: July 17, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: McGregor/Mayweather press conferences, Paige and Alberto El Patron situation

The Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather fight and the business behind it is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Plus there is also an update on the Alberto El Patron/Paige situation, the WWE SummerSlam build and matches being talked about, coverage of the Great Balls of Fire, the WWE release of Austin Aries and politics after the New Japan shows in Long Beach.

Look at the business behind what could be the single biggest money one-day event in combat sports history, looking at the predictions, the Mayweather-Pacquiao business, the promotion, the press conferences, ticket sales and even the UFC pressuring an announcer change.

Inside this issue is an update on the situation with Alberto El Patron, Paige, comments from a witness, why Paige twice tries to give her side of the story without it holding up, how GFW, why Combate Americas and WWE are and aren’t responding to the situation, as well as more on Paige’s family’s comments on the relationship and Albert’s current pro wrestling business and grandstand challenges to WWE.

Check out the Brock Lesnar vs. Samoa Joe match, the Roman Reigns/Braun Strowman angle and the Great Balls of Fire show, and look at how this leads to SummerSlam. Look at the booking, and what was and wasn’t good about Lesnar vs. Joe, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

Examine the departure of Austin Aries and different things that were going on behind-the-scenes.

Finally, look at International Fight Week, Amanda Nunes falling off the show at the last minute, Dana White throwing Nunes under the bus, Nunes giving her side of the story, ratings and business notes from the weekend, probable fight of the year with Johnson vs. Gaethje, the Jesse Taylor story and match-by-match coverage with poll results.

Subscribers click here to continue.

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.

WON BACK ISSUE: June 19, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Goldberg turns heel at Great American Bash, All Japan changes, more

In a week where the entire landscape of the pro wrestling industry is expected to change, the first tree to fall, All Japan Pro Wrestling, at least in the form it has been for the past 28 years, is no more.Tokyo Sports confirmed on 6/12 that the long-rumored split talked about in this publication had started with Mitsuharu Misawa, the President and top star of the company, resigning on 5/28. The news was kept quiet by all parties until the end of the tour and they were hoping to keep it quiet for several more days in an attempt to present a smoother public transition.

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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

The final McGregor-Mayweather press conference took place today in London at SSE Wembley. It came off like a big deal. McGregor was much sharper than yesterday and fans were the hottest of the four stops. Mayweather sucked on his promo once again, even devolving into a homophobic slur out of third grade. Still, this stuff only adds interest even when the promos aren’t the best because of the magnitude of the events. It has an aura of a super event. Once again, it was a total MMA fan base that loved McGregor and Dana White and hated Mayweather and especially Stephen Espinoza of Showtime. Still, when Floyd told Espinoza to point to his easy work, Espinoza would not point to Conor. Floyd’s big thing was to harp on that McGregor has tapped out three times and he’s never quit in a fight, and said he admires Dana White because he and Dana White made all the money and how he admires White for making money and not paying his fighters that much. 

The atmosphere was said to be really good last night at the Mae Young Classic, which comes down to the final two with 14 matches tonight. The talk going in was 5-10 contracts would be offered and you’ll probably get a good idea of some of them based on who makes the final four. Unlike the cruiserweight tournament where they had figured everyone they liked would sign and that didn’t happen, there is no avenue for the women to make big money in wrestling outside of WWE like there is for men, so it would be a surprise for anyone offered a deal to turn it down.

They were revolving a lot of wrestlers for camera shots like they were all watching at ringside. Most were just brought in for the camera shots but Natalya and Beth Phoenix were at ringside. Ronda Rousey, Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke were there for the Shayna Baszler match. Shinsuke Nakamura, Emma, Bayley, Carmella, Alexa Bliss, Tamina, Naomi, Nia Jax, Akira Tozawa, Ata Johnson (Dwayne’s mother) Mike & Maria, Kassius Ohno and Johnny Gargano were out at different times. Ohno’s girlfriend (Rachael Ellering) and Gargano’s wife (Candice LeRae) were in the tournament. The big surprise was said to be how Jazzy Gabert, the MMA fighter who was Alpha Female in TNA a few years back, got over.

For the G-1 Climax tournament, the first four shows which are 7/17, 7/20, 7/21 and 7/22, and the last three shows from 8/11 to 8/13 at Sumo Hall will have English language commentary on New Japan World. All tournament matches will air with Japanese language commentary.

The Will Ospreay vs. Kushida Best of the Super Juniors finals, which was one of the best matches so far this year, airs tonight at 8 p.m. on AXS TV. 

The other big event tonight is Ultimo Guerrero vs. Volador Jr. in the finals of CMLL’s Universal tournament of champions at Arena Mexico. These two always have great singles matches and this is considered more of a major show. If the show isn’t on Claro Sports, we will update with how it can be viewed.

WWE

  • For the WWE weekend house shows, John Cena is working the Raw shows in Huntington, WV and Lexington, KY, and then moves to the Smackdown side for matches in Columbus, GA and TV on Tuesday. Randy Orton is doing a movie so will be off all the house shows but is scheduled for Smackdown TV on Tuesday. Roman Reigns is off the weekend shows as is The Miz, at least based on advertising. Braun Strowman isn’t scheduled for tonight’s Raw show but is scheduled the rest of the weekend. Kevin Owens isn’t advertised until on the Saturday and Sunday Smackdown shows.
  • Evidently Renee Young wasn’t given the heads-up on Talking Smack being canceled as she wrote on Twitter, “Hmmmm, that’s one way to get news” to a tweet asking her about it. Then she wrote, “Really disappointed about Talking Smack. We tried to make the show great. Guess I’ll go back to welcoming my guest at this time.”
  • An update on the Hardy situation.
  • Drew Garabo LIVE had Samoa Joe in Studio today, talking meeting with HHH, Who he thinks should be signed to WWE, and his musical taste.
  • The University of Illinois at the Illini Union Courtyard Cafe airs Raw & Smackdown every week live on the big screens.
  • WWE’s 30 Years of Survivor Series, first scheduled to be released on 10/3 has been moved to a 10/24 release date.
  • Added to the WWE Network this month is Piper’s Pit: Born to Controversy and Razor Ramon: Oozing Machismo

UFC

  • UFC has pulled the Sage Northcutt vs. John Makdessi fight from the UFC 214 show on 7/29 in Anaheim with both being injured this past week.
  • Glory Kickboxing from the Theater in Madison Square Garden will air on Fight Pass at 7:30 p.m.Eastern time tonight.
  • Gokhan Saki makes his UFC debut on 9/23 in Saitama, Japan against Henrique da Silva.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Impact was up to 374,000 viewers last night, its best number since September.
  • A story on what is literally by far the most important story in sports, pro wrestling and UFC over the next few years regarding TV rights.
  • The Crash has a big show tonight in Tijuana with Penta 0M vs. La Mascara vs. Marty Scurll vs. Jeff Cobb in the main event, plus Daga & Santo Jr. vs. Garza Jr. (now a heel) & M-ximo, Jack Evans vs. Bestia 666, Rey Fenix & Rey Hours vs. War Machine vs. Shane Strickland & Sami Callihan and prelims.
  • ROH announced shows on 10/12 in Buffalo, 10/13 in Pittsburgh and 10/14 in Columbus, OH which will feature Kushida, Lance Archer, Davey Boy Smith Jr., Hiromu Takahashi and Yoshi-Hashi from New Japan. 
  • For tomorrow night’s AAW show in Merrionette Park, IL, due to his visa not coming in, Rey Fenix can’t come to the U.S. and won’t be on the show. Jeff Cobb will replace him teaming with AR Fox to defend the AAW tag titles agaisnt Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz. Sami Callihan vs. Keith Lee for the AAW title is the main event, plus Eddie Kingston faces David Starr in an I Quit match.
  • There will be an all-women Shine promotion show on Flo Slam tonight with a 16 woman tournament to crown the Nova champion starting at 9 p.m. Eastern time.
  • Flo Slam also has American Combat Wrestling tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. from New Port Richey, FL. 
  • Walter debuts for Evolve on 8/11 in Joppa, MD and will defend his Progress Wrestling Atlas title against Fed Yehi. He will also wrestle in Queens, NY the next day.
  • Alpha-One Wrestling on 9/10 in St. Catharines, ONT at 235 Church St. 
  • New School Wrestling on 9/9 in Norval, ONT at 12 Adamson St. headlined by Josh Alexander vs. Lionel Knight.
  • In a takeoff on the old Crockett Cup, there will be a Crockett Foundation Cup tag team tournament tomorrow night on 7/15 in New Kent, VA at the New Kent High School promoted by Classic Pro Wrestling, sanctioned by the Crockett Foundation. Among those who will be appearing at the show include Ricky Morton, Robert Gibson, Ronnie Garvin, Jimmy Valiant, Warlord, Barbarian, Bobby Fulton, Gary Michael Capetta, Tommy Young, Dave & Earl Hebner.
  • Walt Harris, who at 96, is believed to be the oldest member of the wrestling business still alive, is scheduled to come to a Roller Derby reunion tomorrow in San Leandro, CA. Harris was the announcer for National All-Star Wrestling in the 60s during the period when Northern California was at times the premier territory in the U.S. He was a Lance Russell-caliber host. He’s far more famous as the voice of Roller Derby from around 1959 to 1973.
  • CWE Lethal Lottery tonight in Winnipeg at Rookie’s Sports Bar.
  • Lucha Libre comes to Toronto at The Rockpile on 7/30 featuring ACH vs. Space Monkey in the main event.
  • Pure Wrestling Association on 7/22 in Kitchener, ONT at the Alpine.
  • Smash Wrestling on 9/30 in Sarnia, ONT at the Station Music Hall with Allie and Braxton Sutter from Impact along with Tyson Dux.
  • Hoosier Pro Wrestling on 8/5 in Columbus, IN at the 4-H Fairgrounds with Flash Flanagan vs. Tank. 
  • Price of Glory Wrestling tomorrow in Coldwater, MI at the Eby Youth & Family Center at 6 p.m.with Shane Douglas vs. Louis Lyndon and Shark Boy.
  • XICW on Sunday in Clinton Township, MI at the Imperial House with Johnny Devine and Zach Gowen.
  • XICW on 7/29 in Wyandotte, MI at the Yack Arena with Sabu, Ron Simmons and Jim Neidhart appearing and wrestling will include Ken Anderson, Johnny Devine Hakim Zane and Idris Abraham.
  • XICW on 7/30 in Clinton Township, MI At the Imperial House for a fund raising show for a local boy battling cancer.
  • A story on Angelico of Lucha Underground.

Today in Pro Wrestling History:Lex Luger wins WCW World title

F4W Online / Wrestling Observer Vegas Convention Event Info

August 17-21; All times are TBA; Full information on the group Facebook page; Activities subject to change

For ticketing information go to https://f4wvegas.brownpapertickets.com/

  • Thursday: Meet at the High Roller for Bowling at the Link; Party at Carnival Court at Hurrah’s
  • Friday: Kiss Mini Golf tournament at the Rio; Dinner at Texas de Brazil; Suite party (location TBA)
  • Saturday: Burgers with Granny for lunch; Future Stars of Wrestling show featuring Stephan Bonnar & Phil Baron, and co-main events: 3-way match with Leva Bates vs. Mia Yim vs. Hudson Envy, and “Filthy” Tom Lawlor vs. Thomas Santell (f.k.a. Antonio “The Promise” Thomas); NXT viewing party at the Sci-Fi Center
  • Sunday: SUPER CHINA BUFFET DAY at the Wicked Spoon Buffet at 1pm; SummerSlam viewing party at the Sci-Fi Center
  • Monday: Goodbye lunch at Chen Chen at NY NY
  • All website members will also receive a 15% discount on any purchases from the Las Vegas Fight Shop for the entirety of the convention

Texas de Brazil, Wicked Spoon, NXT and Summer Slam will all be sign up and pre-paid events, prices and collection begin in mid July~!

Pro Wrestling Tees is now carrying our latest line of F4W shirts. Support the Empire~! Grab yours today!

CONTACT INFORMATION

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