Daily Update: NXT tapings, WWE Studios, Ed Nordholm

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FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY:Figure Four Weekly 11/27/2017: Four who should be next on the WWE main roster

When WWE decides to call up wrestlers from NXT, they usually tend to be painfully drawn out or total surprises. The arrivals of Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Ruby Riot, Liv Morgan, and Sarah Logan on the main roster last week was more the latter. Of the five, only Riot (who was formerly known as Heidi Lovelace before signing with WWE) had wrestled a match on a TakeOver special. The other four had yet to even have full runs on NXT television aside from sporadic appearances.

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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER:November 27, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWE/UFC TV contract negotiations, Survivor Series review, more

The single most important business story for both WWE and UFC, regarding the biggest stable revenue stream for both, television rights fees, is the lead story in the new issue of the Observer. With UFC’s contract coming due in 2018 and WWE in 2019, look at official talks by UFC, unofficial talks by WWE, the uniqueness that the same person is negotiating both new contracts, how they are intertwined, who had expressed interest in UFC and what kind of money do they want and what is being offered, and how WWE strongly ties into all this. Look at the money both companies are getting, the current exposure, and who are the big players in the game. Also look at the risks of WWE leaving USA and why a drop in ratings may still be strongly to their benefit.

Look at the details of how and why the planned Royal Rumble main event match is no longer taking place. Look at the reasons behind it as well as the complete 2018 WWE PPV schedule, and why WWE is cutting back on shows and changing the format in others.

This issue has complete Survivor Series weekend coverage, including business notes, why things took place the way they did, injury updates, what did and didn’t work along with poll results and match-by-match coverage plus star ratings.

Check out full coverage of the NXT Takeover special, the changes in War Games and business notes.

Plus, more on ticket sales for the Tokyo Dome show and the history of those ticket sales, as well as negotiations updated regarding viewership of the show in the U.S.

Read why Roman Reigns won the IC title, update on John Cena’s schedule, Jennifer Hudson-David Otunga breakup, Ric Flair’s lawsuit against his former agents, a potential new WWE TV show, why NXT is taping at Center Stage, A.J. Styles talks his future including retirement, details of all the women that were brought up to the main roster, Kevin Owens documentary, WWE cancels another show, weird WWE Network mailer, the real story behind the origination of Starrcade, and notes on this year’s Tribute to the Troops show.

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WON BACK ISSUE: November 13, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWF not buying WCW, ECW November to Remember review

With the WCW crew enroute to Europe for a one-week tour, the questions about the future of the company remain. With little substantial information available, much of the talk going around consists of rumors, but it is clear the two possibilities remain–the company will either be purchased by a group headed by Eric Bischoff, or have its expenses cut to as much bare bones as possible and remain part of Turner Broadcasting.

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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • NXT is taping its next round of television episodes at Full Sail University tonight. With the first three tapings of 2018 set for Center Stage in Atlanta, this will be the last time NXT’s at Full Sail for a few months. Triple H said on his pre-TakeOver conference call that Full Sail is still their home and the tapings in Atlanta were due to logistical/scheduling issues with their regular venue.
  • In a rematch of what might have been WWE’s best match of the year, Pete Dunne will defend his WWE United Kingdom Championship against Tyler Bate at the tapings.
  • Matches taped at NXT house shows prior to TakeOver will air on tonight’s show. Those include Kairi Sane vs. Peyton Royce, Tyler Bate & Trent Seven vs. Pete Dunne & Mark Andrews, and The Street Profits vs. Tino Sabbatelli & Riddick Moss.
  • WWE Studios announced that they’re expanding into television and digital content. Vince McMahon said in a statement: “Given the size of our fan base and their appetite for WWE programming well beyond our core in-ring shows, this is the ideal time to further establish the WWE brand with new genres across platforms. WWE Studios is open for business with this new TV and digital initiative.”
  • While speaking with Sports Illustrated, Anthem’s Ed Nordholm discussed Matt Hardy teasing the “broken” gimmick on Raw and said Impact’s new talent agreements allow wrestlers to use their personas after leaving the company. Nordholm also said they’re working with their legal team to extend that to those under previous agreements and their former roster members.
  • The former Ruby Riot’s name is now Ruby Riott on the main roster. Her, Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan are known as The Riott Squad.
  • After months of dissension, Mojo Rawley seemingly turned heel by attacking Zack Ryder as The Hype Bros disbanded on SmackDown last night.
  • The cruiserweight fatal four-way match on Raw next week will be Cedric Alexander vs. Mustafa Ali vs. Drew Gulak vs. Tony Nese. The winner will face Rich Swann in a number one contender’s match the following week.
  • Today is Jerry Lawler’s 68th birthday.
  • Triple H cut a promo on Jinder Mahal ahead of their match in India on December 9th.
  • The complete run of NXT, in both its previous and current formats, has now been fully uploaded to the WWE Network.
  • The Rock is on the cover of Ebony Magazine’s “Power 100” issue.
  • John Cena visited with the Sydney Thunder cricket team in Australia.
  • Dave Bautista posted a photo training with Jack Swagger and congratulated him on his new career with Bellator MMA.

Pro Wrestling

UFC/MMA

Today in Professional Wrestling History: Rock ‘n’ Roll Express win SMW tag titles

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