Daily Update: NXT TakeOver, Watch Along, Road to Sears Centre

DAILY UPDATE

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F4W NEWSLETTER: CM Punk joins WWE Backstage Joseph Currier gives his thoughts on CM Punk’s return to the pro wrestling world.

When CM Punk first walked out of the company, no one would have guessed that his return to WWE-related programming would come at nearly midnight on an FS1 studio show.

The possibility became more and more of a reality over the past few months, but — with Punk saying FOX hadn’t followed up on his tryout — it was still a surprise when it happened. At the end of the second official episode of WWE Backstage, Renee Young hyped that it was time for the show to have its first iconic, history-making moment. “Cult of Personality” then hit, with Punk making his way into the studio and stepping into the ring at the center of the set.

“It’s as simple as this: Just when they think they’ve got the answers, I change…the culture,” Punk said, “I’ll see you here next week.”

FOX Sports wasted no time confirming that Punk had officially joined Backstage. They sent out a press release announcing that Punk will be a special contributor and analyst on the show and will make select appearances alongside hosts Renee Young and Booker T.

Backstage is a FOX production, which means that Punk will be working for them rather than WWE. That distinction is obviously really important. Just like Punk appearing at Starrcast didn’t mean that he was going to show up at All Out, this doesn’t guarantee that we’ll see Punk at Survivor Series, WrestleMania, or that he’ll ever wrestle another match again. It’s been almost six years since Punk wrestled. He’s 41 years old now, has dealt with injuries throughout his career, and has never sounded passionate about returning to the ring since he’s been gone.

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WON NEWSLETTER: Jim Cornette leaves NWA, weekend preview Following controversy, Jim Cornette leaves NWA, plus a weekend preview and tons more.

The story behind Jim Cornette’s greatest attribute, his mouth, leading to his latest fall, is covered in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  We talk about the line he said, the background of the line, why Cornette was wide open for this reaction even though others have said worse of late to little or no outcry.

The new issue also covers: 

NWA’s decision to get rid of him and what that happened, what opened Cornette up to this, his reaction, Nick Aldis and Dave Marquez speak on the subject, why it is not in the NWA’s best interest to be critical of AEW, Cornette’s line about Justin Roberts which started all this, how Jerry Lawler, Randy Orton and Eric Bischoff fit into the same story and how social media has changed things.

Cornette’s background, how he got started in wrestling, his managerial heyday, his time as a promoter and the lesson of how times have changed.

Five shows in six days in Chicago this week, lineups, ticket sales and ticket demand.

The return of C.M. Punk to WWE television on Backstage, rating, what he said and thoughts on the show.

Paul Levesque press conference and his talking on different subjects, an ACH update, NXT U.K. Takeover card, Starrcade card, Canadian ratings, German ratings, next Mexico show, NXT injuries, main roster injuries, WWE current market value, most watched shows on WWE Network and a rundown of all the NXT and WWE house shows over the past week with business notes.

The career of Ben Askren, including how WWE’s leading scout viewed him coming out of college and why he didn’t get an offer, his amateur background, his strengths in promoting himself, his career and his being forced to retire.

New Japan tag team tournament, standings plus notes and every match in the first week and coverage of the bigger show.

UFC show from Sao Paulo, Brazil with Jan Blachowicz vs. Ronaldo Jacare Souza.

Japan saying goodbye to Dick “The Destroyer” Beyer, what he was best known for in the country as well as coverage of his memorial this past week.

Wednesday ratings, with every match,every segment, viewers, demos and high points, the major lessons of the AEW viewer and the WWE viewer and the NXT viewer.

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. 

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@wrestlingobserver.com or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

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If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • WWE’s second event of Survivor Series weekend takes place tonight as the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois hosts NXT TakeOver: WarGames. Five matches have been announced for the card, with one of them taking place on the pre-show. The pre-show is 30 minutes long and will begin at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time. Here’s what’s been announced for the show:
    Team Ripley (Rhea Ripley, Tegan Nox, Candice LeRae & Mia Yim) vs. Team Baszler (Shayna Baszler, Io Shirai, Bianca Belair & Kay Lee Ray) in a WarGames match
    Team Ciampa (Tommaso Ciampa, Keith Lee, Dominik Dijakovic, and a partner) vs. The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish) in a WarGames match
    Matt Riddle vs. Finn Balor
    Pete Dunne vs. Damian Priest vs. Killian Dain (winner challenges for Adam Cole’s NXT Championship at Survivor Series)
    Isaiah “Swerve” Scott vs. Angel Garza (pre-show)
  • Ciampa teased the fourth member of his team for tonight’s men’s WarGames match: “We spoke to a potential 4th…No promises were made. If he decides to show up, he’s in. If he doesn’t, nothing changes. Tonight… WE GO TO WAR”
  • Yim is wearing war paint inspired by Bull Nakano tonight.
  • In an interview with The Wrap on Thursday, Adam Cole discussed this week’s NXT beating AEW Dynamite in total viewers: “We’re just mainly focused on trying to put on a really exciting, cool show. And last night’s show was just an absolute blast, with the guys from Raw, the guys from SmackDown, the matches that happened. It was just a really, really cool night and so I’m glad so many people enjoyed it.”
  • Cole spoke to The Sporting News and Sports Illustrated ahead of TakeOver.
  • Johnny Gargano noted that this is the first TakeOver weekend he’s missed since 2016.
  • Cathy Kelley, Lio Rush, Samoa Joe, Zack Ryder, Curt Hawkins, The Lucha House Party, Breezango, The Street Profits, and cast members of WWE’s The Bump (Kayla Braxton, McKenzie Mitchell, Evan T. Mack, Dan Vollmayer, Matt Camp, and Ryan Pappolla) are advertised for the WWE Watch Along that will stream on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter during Survivor Series. NBA Jam’s Tim Kitzrow and Kyle Schwarber of the Chicago Cubs will also appear.
  • WWE Network News reported that a new episode of Day Of will air on the WWE Network next Friday. It will be focused on Natalya vs. Lacey Evans at Crown Jewel.
  • Shannon Moore tweeted about guest coaching at the WWE Performance Center this week: “What a great week coaching at the @WWEPC with all the @WWENXT men and woman. Can’t say it enough how hard the @WWENXT roster works. Check out #WarGames and watch this crew kill it”
  • Mike Bennett is looking to do motivational speaking: “Hey guys.I’m not doing wrestling bookings. I’m looking to do motivational speaking at your event. Having said that, I will come to your wrestling show and talk to your locker room. Also, I’m not currently charging. Just asking my travel gets covered. MikeBennettProcess@gmail.com”
  • Tony Nese and his wife welcomed the birth of their son Eric.
  • NXT UK’s Piper Niven got engaged to her significant other on Thursday.
  • WWE Shop is selling a replica version of the new Intercontinental title belt that debuted on SmackDown last night.
  • WWE’s YouTube channel uploaded Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair from last year’s Survivor Series and Team Cena vs. The Authority from Survivor Series 2014.

Pro Wrestling

  • AEW released a Road to Sears Centre video building up Cody’s return on Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite.
  • Cody applied for trademarks for “Slamboree” and “SuperBrawl.”
  • In storyline, Jimmy Havoc has been fined $10,000 for using a staple gun in the Dynamite Dozen battle royal: “AEW Management has reprimanded Jimmy Havoc for utilizing a staple gun on Wednesday night in Indianapolis. Havoc has been fined $10,000 for his actions, and he will face future $10,000 fines any time he uses the staple gun.
  • Enzo Amore and Big Cass appeared on the latest episode of Talk is Jericho.
  • The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) vs. The Super Besties (ACH, Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett) is set for Pro Wrestling Revolver’s Pancakes and Piledrivers show in Ybor City on the Saturday of WrestleMania weekend in April.

MMA

Daily Pro Wrestling History: WWE Survivor Series 2014

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