Daily Update: Mixed Match Challenge finals, Vader, Ronda Rousey

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​F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Another chapter in Daniel Bryan’s unbelievable journey

When Daniel Bryan chronicled his “improbable journey” to the main event of WrestleMania in his first book in 2015, there’s no way that he could have known how unbelievable the story of his career would end up being. A day that, not long ago, seemed like it was never going to come arrived last Tuesday as WWE announced that Bryan has been medically cleared to wrestle for the company. “Following more than two years of extensive evaluations, four-time World Champion Daniel Bryan has been medically cleared to return to in-ring competition by leading neurosurgeons, neurologists and concussion experts, including Dr. Robert Cantu, Dr. Javier Cárdenas and Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher,” WWE’s statement said.

WON NEWSLETTER: Wrestling Observer Newsletter (March 26, 2018): WWE medically clears Daniel Bryan

A look at how Bryan Danielson got cleared to return to WWE in depth is the lead story in the new double-issue of the Wrestling Observer, in what is one of our biggest news issues of the year.

Read the details of the how, the when, and what has happened over the past two years in his attempts to get cleared and try to answer every key question about it in this story. Look back at his last two years as a wrestler, why he didn’t leave and wrestle elsewhere, why WWE wouldn’t let him wrestle, the reactions from different doctors that he saw, the story behind his retirement speech two years ago and even doctor reactions to that speech.

Also, there is an update on the WrestleMania card, with new matches official and other matches on the schedule. Go through the name change of the Moolah Battle Royal and how that went down.

Look at Vince McMahon’s new competition for a football league.

This issue has a story on the New Japan Cup, as well as this week’s Long Beach show, and the booking of Zack Sabre Jr. to become the next big-time superstar in the promotion. Review all the tournament matches of the past week and the business of the tournament.

Plus, there’s more on the video alleging PED use by Roman Reigns, the failure to provide any proof and even possible legal ramifications from all this.

Find out about the press conference for next year’s WrestleMania, who was brought in and who wasn’t, lots more on WWE’s big show in Saudi Arabia, new Ronda Rousey business, mainstream interest in WrestleMania, Jeff hardy, Ultimate Deletion, an update on WWE injuries, thoughts about more major house shows, an update on the WWE U.K. project as well as several more names that WWE has either signed or is looking into signing including one major superstar. 

Take a look at 5 Star Wrestling and its closing up shop after a disastrous run.

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. 

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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • The finals for Mixed Match Challenge were set last night as Bobby Roode & Becky Lynch, who won a fan vote to fill in for Charlotte Flair, defeated Finn Balor & Sasha Banks. Despite Lynch pinning Banks, Charlotte will be back for next week’s finals. It will be Roode & Charlotte vs. The Miz & Asuka, with Charlotte and Asuka sharing the ring together just days before their SmackDown Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania.
  • After Ronda Rousey did her media tour of ESPN yesterday, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon were guests at their headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut this morning. They were asked who they thought the biggest star in company history was while appearing on First Take, with Stephanie saying it was Andre the Giant and Triple H picking The Undertaker. They also discussed how WrestleMania became the event it is today. On SportsCenter, they talked about signing Rousey and her being an inspiration to young female fans.
  • In an interview with The Mirror, Nia Jax defended bullying and body shaming being used in her storyline with Alexa Bliss: “I think it’s amazing. I think it’s something that people know but they don’t want to talk about it, they always want to keep it hidden. I feel like we’re tackling it head-on and it should be [tackled]. Young women and young girls, and boys, should actually be hearing this and seeing the conflict that we go through and seeing somebody stand up for themselves and not have to allow somebody to bully them, because of the way they look, what their shape is, or the color of their skin is. You should always stand up for yourself. So I think it’s amazing. I’m very honoured to be a part of it.”
  • Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa continued to build up their feud off of television before their unsanctioned match was announced, with WWE posting video of an angle where Gargano came to Ciampa’s house in the middle of the night and banged on his door.
  • Curtis Axel wished a happy birthday to his father on what would have been Curt Hennig’s birthday. Umaga also would have turned 45 years old today.
  • WWE is advertising that there will be a “very special performance” from a mystery wrestler at Razoo Bar & Patio in New Orleans on Thursday, April 5th.
  • Michael Aspinwall, who played Daniel Bryan and Kane’s anger management therapist “Dr. Shelby” during their Team Hell No storyline, stepped back into the role to respond to the anger that Bryan showed in his promo on last night’s SmackDown.
  • Last night marked the 1,000th match in Tyler Breeze’s career.
  • Steve Austin vs. The Rock from WrestleMania XIX has been uploaded to WWE’s YouTube channel. The match was the last of Austin’s career.
  • Drew Gulak vs. Mark Andrews is set for next Tuesday’s 205 Live.
  • Kane appeared on Fox Business with JBL and talked his campaign for Mayor of Knox County.

Pro Wrestling

UFC/MMA

  • Despite her not being very open about her MMA career on the televised portions of her media tour, Rousey was more receptive in an interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto. Rousey sat down with him for 30 minutes and spoke about how she wanted an “honorable way” out of the UFC at one point: “There was a while when I was just looking for an honorable way out. I felt satisfied that I’d proven everything I need to prove, but I didn’t feel anybody else felt that way, and I wasn’t sure if the women’s division could survive without me. I felt obligated to do more than what I actually wanted to. But I also have no regrets, and I’m so happy I fulfilled those obligations. And I really feel the women’s division can hold their own.” She said there would have to be something as great as WWE has been to pull her away from her time at home, with her saying that she’ll stop wrestling if she ever doesn’t enjoy it.
  • Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson verbally sparred on a conference call ahead of UFC 223.
  • Joanna Jedrzejczyk said Rose Namajunas won a battle in their first fight but won’t win the war.
  • The UFC announced Neil Magny vs. Gunnar Nelson for their Fight Night show in Liverpool on May 27th.
  • MMA Fighting reported that Jessica Eye vs. Jessica-Rose Clark is being planned for Singapore on June 23rd

Daily Professional Wrestling History: Shawn Michaels wrestles his final match

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