Daily Update: More cancellations, Dark Side of the Ring, Nick Jackson

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Are you interested in attending our annual F4W/WON convention? We will hold it during AEW Double or Nothing weekend. For more information, check this post for activities and prices.

WON NEWSLETTER: Sweeping changes due to the coronavirus Dave Meltzer looks at how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting pro wrestling and MMA.

A detailed look at how the pro wrestling and MMA industry has changed in just one week is the subject of our in-depth lead story.

We cover:

Steps taken, made, executed, and constantly changed, from WWE, UFC, AEW and every other company. 

Which companies can afford the lockdown the best, and which companies are threatened the most.

WWE, why they chose to do WrestleMania now on tape, why the move made little sense. 

Why UFC was forced to shut down shows and the steps they took to avoid it.

What AEW said and what it actually meant. 

The dangers from doctors on doing shows right now. 

Latest ideas for WrestleMania, revenue lost by not doing the show now, just how fast decisions were changing, pro wrestling vs. MMA in an empty arena, styles vs. styles in an empty arena, what does and doesn’t work, ideas to make the show more entertaining, what is and isn’t finalized for WrestleMania, and update on other planned WWE events.

We also cover:

WWE training, who were brought to the WWE & AEW taping, what was said to those working there, Dana White’s memo to the staff, why UFC had it harder to keep shows going than pro wrestling, UFC’s economic realities, different reactions of talent about shows continuing, new dates for major shows, next shows on UFC schedule, ESPN plans, Japanese government reaction, updates on Japanese shows, XFL ending the season, how the first season leaves the XFL in its quest to make it, Bellator’s reaction, MLW’s reaction, Impact’s reaction, NWA’s reaction, Independent shows, WrestleCon, U.K. groups, Mexico and other U.S. indies.

AEW’s live television show, the in and out of character remarks, Cody and Tony Khan’ reactions, and show things were handled 

A look at the career of Jushin Liger, his historical status, his early career, his becoming the best wrestler in the world, his debut with the character, who was first pegged for the role, his debut with the gimmick, his U.S. arrival in WCW, his one MMA fight, and his list of credentials.

Why WWE stock hasn’t collapsed, Shane McMahon’s income, Michelle Wilson and George Barrios’ severance packages, update on The Revival, WWE threatens small group on a frivolous case, WWE legend selling his home, last several weeks of Canadian TV ratings, Jerry Lawler talks empty arena matches, latest WWE tryout, Sonya Deville talks storyline she wanted, as well as the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.

Full coverage of the UFC’s empty arena show in Brasilia, Brazil with the stories coming out of the show and match-by-match coverage.

A feature on the worst weekend in the history of the business when Chris Benoit murdered his wife and son.  We look at the Reelz television show that just came out covering the crime as well as a look at the Viceland story coming this week.  We talk about different theories, the death of Eddy Guerrero, CTE, steroids, xanax and more, WWE reaction, drug testing questions and problems and much more.

Regarding the Wednesday numbers, we’ve got full details, demos that each side won, how every segment did and what match ended up as the difference maker. 

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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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

With all indoor gatherings of more than 100 people banned in Australia, pretty much everything except empty arena shows look to be canceled.

The first hour of the two-hour Viceland Dark Side of the Ring special on Chris Benoit can be seen here.

Arena Mexico tonight has been canceled which was the El Homenaje a Dos Leyendas show. They are still planning to do the show in the future.

The state of Mexico has suspended all boxing and pro wrestling events though 4/20.

Dragon Gate will be running a Sunday empty arena show from Kobe headlined by Kzy & Yosuke Santa Maria & Dragon Dia vs. Eita & Big R Shimizu & Kaito Ishida. The show starts at 6 a.m. Eastern Sunday morning on the Dragon Gate Network. 

I did a lengthy talk about a million different pro wrestling subjects earlier today here

 WWE

  • I hope Adam Scherr’s friends talk to him about this. It’s poorly timed and thought out. I get the mentality behind it at a different point in time, but not at this point in time. This is not the time for it and really, this isn’t the time for rich people to be blaming poor people for their inability to keep jobs that by all rights they would have thought they had. Anyway, if you’re a friend of his, let him know. Hopefully he has some real friends 
  • Smackdown tonight has John Morrison & The Miz vs. Heavy Machinery in a non-title match, a Bill Goldberg/Roman Reigns contract signing plus Rob Gronkowski debuts. 205 Live will be taped as well with Danny Burch vs. Joaquin Wilde and Oney Lorcan vs. Swerve Scott.
  • AM New York has a story on Sonya Deville and her new fashion line.
  • Today is the 25th anniversary of the death of John Minton aka Big John Studd at the age of 47.

UFC

  • State Troopers came to the Had Knocks 365 gym in Fort Lauderdale, FL and Jared Gordon told MMA Fighting that he was facing a possible arrest if he didn’t relocate. So the fighters went to a local park and did some running and hid pads. He noted that it’s not fair for fighters who can’t train due to not being allowed to go to the gym to fight. 

AEW

  • Nick Jackson’s wife had the couple’s baby boy yesterday. 

MISCELLANEOUS

  • AAW noted that its anniversary show tonight at the Logan Square Arena in Chicago was canceled.  But they are putting complete shows up on YouTube.
  • The Villano III Jr. vs. Aereo mask vs mask match that people have been raving about is 1:59 into this broadcast.
  • Regarding the discussion I had on Wednesday’s show, an official with the NCAA told us that the idea of a 16-man tournament for basketball was an option discussed, but the decision has been made to cancel all spring championships.
  • A story about the plight of independent promotions running Tampa that have not been allowed to run (thanks to John Corcoran)
  • A story on how Eddie Graham’s Championship Wrestling from Florida wanted you to think wrestling was real. (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)
  • Hoosier Pro Wrestling announced that their 4/4 show is canceled, noting its only the second time in 22 years of promoting wrestling that they’ve had to do that.
  • The Alabama Athletic Commission has halted the issuance of permits to hold pro wrestling events in the state based on Gov. Kay Ivey ordering no gatherings with more than 25 people where a six foot distance between people couldn’t be maintained.  (thanks to Larry Goodman)
  • Legacy Fighting Alliance announced tonight’s show is off, as well as the 4/3 show in Broomfield, CO and 4/17 in South Dakota. 
  • Riot City Wrestling tomorrow night in Adelaide, Australia has been canceled.
  • A new DVD called Wrestling from the Heartland featuring matches with John Cena, Cactus Jack, Eddy Guerrero Charlie Haas, Big Show, Rikishi, Ron Simmons and many others that were thought to be lost is at www.Joe-Dombrowski.com
  • Revolution Wrestling Federation’s Sunday show with Scott Steiner was canceled.
  • CWE has canceled its shows in Modern, Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg due to the closing of the border not allowing talent to come, including headliner Savio Vega, and the 50 person maximum gathering would mean only 30 tickets could be sold.
  • Synergy Pro Wrestling will have an iPPV  show on 3/28 at 3 p.m. Eastern on FITE.tv  Fightmare vs. DeSean Pratt will headline.
  • EPW in Western Australia has postponed all events indefinitely. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
  • Daily’s Place will be right next door to a coronavirus testing place in Jacksonville. (thanks to Ken Bowen)
  • A podcast with Doug Williams.
  • A story on empty arena wrestling.
  • A podcast with Garrett Gonzalez talking about mostly not wrestling or sports.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: WWF WrestleMania X

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