Daily Update: McMahons at the White House, SmackDown, Holm

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 2/13/2017: Bray Wyatt’s overdue WWE Championship win

From nearly the moment The Wyatt Family debuted on the main roster, Bray Wyatt’s place as a future WWE Champion seemed almost certain. The only surprising thing about Wyatt capturing the title is that it took until Sunday night at the Elimination Chamber, where he was finally presented as the force that WWE has all too often failed to portray him as over the last three-plus years… Subscribers click here to continue.

WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: February 13, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: NJPW New Beginning review, WWE Fast Lane/Elimination Chamber cards, more

An update on the WWE’s WrestleMania plans and then two PPV’s leading to WrestleMania is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We update the situation with the Seth Rollins vs. HHH proposed match, new matches that have changed due to injuries, update injured talent and a new proposed championship match on the Mania show, as well as more on different planned matches.

We also look at plans for both Elimination Chamber and Fast Lane.

We’ve got full coverage of the New Beginning in Sapporo show headlined by Kazuchika Okada vs. Minoru Suzuki, with match-by-match coverage with star ratings, poll results and business notes. We look at the build up angle and the story behind the main event, and this week’s show in Osaka.

We look at the big coup by WWE Studios working with Dwayne Johnson, a current WWE star being talked about for doing MMA, Kurt Angle talks wrestling in WWE, NXT Takeover Orlando notes, and lots of thoughts on the XFL documentary and key points that were not in.

We also have more WWE WrestleMania week plans, more on Mike Adamle and his battle against dementia and his background, update on a lot of WWE injuries, a surprise coach at the Performance Center and update on where that come from, and another WWE movie project.

We also have tons of notes on the wrestlers brought to the Performance Center this past week as well as other athletes for tryouts, including who they are and their backgrounds including some very unique prospects. We also look at the most-watched shows of the past week on the network as well as a rundown of all the WWE and NXT arena events this past week with both highlights and business notes.

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: January 24, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WCW Souled Out review, WCW turmoil, more

The most tumultuous four-day period in the recent history of World Championship Wrestling started with WCW getting the word that an injury would cause champion and main eventer Bret Hart to miss the Souled Out PPV. As dominos starting falling one by one, it ended with a new booker, the crowning of a new champion who asked to be released from his contract anyway, and his vacating the title voluntarily some 18 hours later and possibly with several wrestlers leaving the company… Subscribers click here to continue.

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • The entire immediate McMahon family visited Washington, DC yesterday as Linda McMahon was confirmed and sworn in as the new administrator of the Small Business Administration, which produced what will become a memorable photo in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump. As has been noted, nearly half of the people in the picture, including the President of the United States, have been recipients of at least one stunner from Steve Austin.
  • Last night’s SmackDown and Talking Smack were interesting in terms of WWE’s booking for WrestleMania season. It was announced on Talking Smack that there would be a battle royal to determine a new number one contender to challenge for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania after Randy Orton refused to face Bray Wyatt, which figures to be a storyline that plays out over the next few weeks.
  • WWE also began to set up tension between AJ Styles and Shane McMahon with Styles complaining that he didn’t get a one-on-one rematch for the title and Daniel Bryan not taking responsibility for the decision.
  • There was a segment last night where Alexa Bliss challenged Naomi, who WWE said suffered an injury at Elimination Chamber, to get healthy in time to give Bliss a rematch for the title next week. Nikki Bella will also face Natalya in a falls count anywhere match next week.
  • Tyler Bate vs. Trent Seven for the UK Championship airs on tonight’s episode of NXT TV on the WWE Network. That match got strong reviews from the live crowd, including our NXT reporter JJ Williams calling it the best match at Full Sail University since the Cruiserweight Classic. Peyton Royce & Billie Kay vs. Liv Morgan & a mystery partner is also advertised for the show.
  • The WWE Network finally has Chromecast support.
  • Tickets for Money in the Bank go on sale to the general public at 11 a.m. ET on Friday morning. The show will take place at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri, and is being advertised as a SmackDown-exclusive PPV.
  • WWE is publishing an official rule book.
  • A new WWE.com video series premieres tomorrow. The show is called “My Son is a WWE Superstar,” and the first episode features Finn Balor and his parents.

Pro Wrestling

  • Vader posted a sad tweet regarding his health on Twitter: “As I enter my final days, proud of the Father Son Brother Football player Pro WrestlerThe Super Heavy Big Man Goat Im Grateful for the Time.”
  • Jay Lethal will face either Adam Cole or Bobby Fish in a top contenders match at Ring of Honor’s 15th Anniversary PPV in Las Vegas on March 10th. Lethal’s opponent will be whoever loses the Cole vs. Fish ROH World Championship match prior to that at Manhattan Mayhem.
  • Mark Andrews vs. Shane Strickland is set for PROGRESS Wrestling on February 26th at the Electric Ballroom in London. That show will be headlined by Mark Haskins, Jimmy Havoc & Flash Morgan Webster vs. Pete Dunne, Trent Seven & Tyler Bate.
  • The Tampa Bay Times has an article featuring wrestlers from the area sharing Andre the Giant stories following the announcement that HBO would be partnering with WWE to make a documentary about Andre’s life.

UFC/MMA

  • Holly Holm is appealing her UFC 208 loss due to multiple blows Germaine de Randamie landed after rounds were over. Holm is asking the New York State Athletic Commission to review the referee’s decision not to deduct points from de Randamie.
  • Derek Brunson is also appealing his UFC 208 loss to Anderson Silva due to what he feels was bad judging.
  • Michael Bisping wants to face Georges St-Pierre before Yoel Romero due to the “gigantic payday” that the fight against GSP would bring.
  • Conor McGregor tweeted a shot at Floyd Mayweather.
  • The UFC is no longer making fight tape available to coaches and fighters, instead telling them to use Fight Pass.
  • The cast for “The Ultimate Fighter 25: Redemption” has been revealed.
  • Rashad Evans has been medically cleared for UFC 209.
  • David Branch has signed with the UFC.

F4W / WO EMPIRE WRESTLEMANIA GROUP INFO

BUS INFO:

  • The Empire bus to WrestleMania will cost $50.00 and will be round trip from Rosen Inn at 9000 International Drive 32819 (a few blocks away from Wrestlcon).
  • The bus will leave at 4pm (time subject to change) for WrestleMania and will leave WrestleMania no later then one hour after the show. If you would like a seat email Ed at f4wfan@hotmail.com or message him on the BOARD~! for Paypal payment instructions.

DINNER INFO:

  • WHAT: Dinner at Texas de Brazil
  • WHEN: Friday March 31st
  • WHERE: 5259 International Dr Ste F1, Orlando, FL 32819 at 5 p.m. (they may open at 4:30 for us)
  • WHO: All your best empire buddies
  • DETAILS: The cost of the dinner will be $68.00 which includes the dinner, salad bar, soft drinks and tea, and dessert, tax and tip. This is a pre pay dinner and you can send payment to paypal at Srjaialaiot@yahoo.com (please send as a gift to a friend). Payments must be made by March 24th (if you wait until after that, Ed will charge an extra $5.00 for being a pain).

Today in Professional Wrestling History (2/15): Eddie Guerrero wins the WWE Championship

CONTACT INFORMATION

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