Daily Update: NXT TakeOver, Hero’s last EVOLVE match, McGregor

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

UFC AT 4PM TONIGHT FROM DENVER ON FIGHT PASS

Fight Pass at 4 p.m. Eastern time

  • J.C. Cottrell (17-4, 155.8) vs. Jason Gonzalez (10-3, 156) 
  • Eric Shelton (10-2, 125.8) vs. Alexander Pantoja (10-2, 126)

FS 1 at 5 p.m. Eastern time

  • Marcos Rogerio de Lima (14-4-1, 209.6) vs. Jeremy Kimball (14-5, 204)
  • Alessio DiChirico (10-1, 185.6) vs. Eric Spicely (9-1, 185.8)
  • Luis Henrique da Silva (12-1, 205.8) vs. Jordan Johnson (6-0, 205)
  • Li Jingliang (11-4, 170.4) vs. Bobby Nash (8-1, 170.8)
  • Raphael Assuncao (23-5, 135.4) vs. Aljamain Sterling (12-1, 135.8)
  • Sam Alvey (29-8, 185.6) vs. Nate Marquardt (35-16-2, 185.6)

FOX at 8 p.m. Eastern time

  • Alex Caceres (12-9, 145) vs. Jason Knight (15-2, 145.6)
  • Andrei Arlovski (25-13, 246) vs. Francis Ngannou (9-1, 253.6)
  • Donald Cerrone (32-7, 170.8) vs. Jorge Masvidal (31-11, 171)
  • Julianna Pena (8-2, 135) vs. Valentina Shevchenko (13-2, 134.4)

de Lima was fined 20 percent of his purse, which will go to Kimball, for missing weight

NXT TAKEOVER AT 8 P.M. EASTERN FROM SAN ANTONIO’S FREEMAN COLISEUM ON THE WWE NETWORK

  • Roderick Strong vs. Andrade Cien Almas
  • Tye Dillinger vs. Eric Young
  • Asuka vs. Peyton Royce vs. Billie Kay vs. Nikki Cross for the women’s title
  • Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano vs. Authors of Pain for tag titles
  • Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Bobby Roode for NXT title

ROYAL RUMBLE IS SUNDAY FROM THE ALAMODOME IN SAN ANTONIO ON THE WWE NETWORK

Right now we don’t know when the first match goes into the ring, but probably between 5:30 and 6 p.m. Eastern time

  • Nia Jax vs. Sasha Banks (preshow match)
  • Becky Lynch & Nikki Bella & Naomi vs. Mickie James & Alexa Bliss & Natalya (preshow match)
  • Sheamus & Cesaro vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson with 2 referees for Raw tag team title (preshow match)
  • Rich Swann vs. Neville for cruiserweight title
  • Charlotte vs. Bayley for Raw women’s title
  • A.J. Styles vs. John Cena for WWE title
  • Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns no DQ with Chris Jericho in a shark cage above the ring for Universal title
  • 30 man Royal Rumble

Monday will be Raw in Laredo, TX for what is likely to be one of the highest rated episodes of the show this year. Brock Lesnar is advertised. Bill Goldberg is not advertised for the show and as of right now is not booked on the show. There will also be a Smackdown house show in Hidalgo, TX.

Smackdown and 205 Live will be taped on Tuesday in Corpus Christi, TX.

There will also be another NXT TV taping at Full Sail University on Wednesday, starting the build for the WrestleMania show in Orlando.

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 1/23/2017: Previewing the unpredictable Royal Rumble

Whatever your feelings are on WWE inevitably using part-timers to boost another WrestleMania season, it’s undeniable that their inclusion has added intrigue to the 2017 Royal Rumble. Suggesting otherwise would be presenting alternative facts. Even with their limited presence on television, Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, and The Undertaker have added a level of unpredictably — even if it’s only perceived — to next Sunday’s show at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas that hasn’t been matched in recent years… Subscribers click here to continue.

WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: January 30, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Royal Rumble preview, part 2 of Jimmy Snuka bio, plus tons of news

A look at WWE plans that are locked in place, and other plans up in the air, related to WrestleMania, and how the Royal Rumble, Fast Lane and Elimination Chamber fit in is the lead story in the new double-sized of the Wrestling Observer.

There is also a major feature on the life of Jimmy Snuka, his growing up, full career, career records, the Nancy Argentino death case and reaction to his death. Plus, check out the 2016 win/loss records of all WWE talent, why Tito Ortiz is so important in MMA history, and Fantastica Mania coverage as well as notes on future major events around the world.

A look at the most loaded Royal Rumble match in years, and how all the top names figure into WrestleMania leads the news. Read about what the Mania matches say, ticket sale news from the Rumble and NXT Takeover, and where things go from there.

Have a look at Pentagon Jr., Daga and Garza Jr. leaving AAA and how many questions that asks. This includes the situation with Sexy Star, big questions facing Lucha Underground, the attempt to build The Crash promotion into a force in Mexico, notes on Lucha Underground contracts, exactly where this all stemmed from and why talent was unhappy with AAA, the Lucha Underground move that makes everything even more questionable, and how this relates to the bigger picture of wrestling all over the world right now.

Click here for full preview.

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 3, 2000 Goldberg injured after car window stunt goes wrong, tons of news

It appears that Bill Goldberg will be out of the ring somewhere in the neighborhood of ten to 15 weeks as the word going around within the company but others are optimistically saying it’ll be closer to six weeks. The actual blow which cut up Goldberg’s arm did air on television which was an elbow shot into the window of the limo that didn’t break the first few times… Subscribers click here to continue.

SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Corey Graves said his goodbyes to NXT on tonight’s TakeOver pre-show. It was announced that Nigel McGuinness would be taking his place in the NXT broadcast booth after Graves calls his final show for the brand tonight.
  • Philly.com has an interview with Graves about how he’s enjoying his current role in WWE.
  • Also on the pre-show, WWE revealed this year’s NXT Awards. Shinsuke Nakamura won both Overall and Male Competitor of the Year. Asuka won Female Competitor of the Year. The Revival won Tag Team of the Year, and their match against DIY from TakeOver: Toronto won Match of the Year.
  • Nakamura, DIY, The Revival, and Royce & Kay reacted to their awards wins.
  • WWE did bring at least a pair of their UK tournament participants to San Antonio for Royal Rumble weekend. Both Tyler Bate and Wolfgang wrestled at the Freeman Coliseum before TakeOver went on the air, and Bate was shown on camera during the show.
  • WWE has video of Bate arriving in San Antonio.
  • Triple H tweeted a custom edition of the WWE Championship that WWE is sending to Serena Williams for her Australian Open win.
  • Fox Sports has an interview with AJ Styles in advance of the Royal Rumble on Sunday.

Pro Wrestling

  • EVOLVE had a series of embarrassing ring mishaps on their Friday night show. The ropes broke for the first time in the opening match as the middle one gave way. The main event featuring Chris Hero and Keith Lee also had two separate ring problems, with both the top and middle ropes breaking. The promotion used a new ring today.
  • Chris Hero had what’s scheduled to be his final independent wrestling match at EVOLVE 77 today against Zack Sabre Jr. Hero gave a farewell speech putting over Sabre after the match and talked about the importance of having support, saying that he couldn’t have returned to NXT without the support he’s gotten in his time away.
  • Lenny Leonard announced on commentary during the show that the Hardys would be appearing at WWN’s WrestleMania weekend tailgate party.
  • Peter Kaasa was left off of the show as a precaution after taking a rough bump when the ropes broke in last night’s opener.
  • Robert Flores of the MLB and NHL Networks tweeted that he’ll be the co-host of Ric Flair’s new podcast on the MLW Radio network. Flores formerly worked at ESPN and is a longtime wrestling fan.
  • Fox Sports has an article on former Oklahoma Sooners running back Marcus Dupree making pro wrestling appearances.

UFC/MMA

  • Conor McGregor held a Q&A in Manchester today with Ariel Helwani as the host. McGregor posted a profane message to the UFC, WWE, Floyd Mayweather, boxing, and Hollywood on Instagram before it started. McGregor also said that his show would have 5,000 fans, which he claimed was more than the UFC would draw for their show in Denver tonight.
  • McGregor expressed confidence during the Q&A that Mayweather will be his next opponent.

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).

CONTACT INFORMATION

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