Daily Update: NXT UK TakeOver notes, Alexa Bliss, The Rock

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: All Elite Wrestling becomes official

As the clock struck midnight and we entered 2019, All Elite Wrestling finally became official. Weeks of speculation culminated with AEW being formally announced at the end of a Being the Elite episode that was released at midnight Pacific time on January 1, 2019. With that came the announcement of Double or Nothing, which is the sequel to All In. While there are plenty of questions about what the roster for AEW will look like, the initial group of wrestlers has started to come into focus. 

WON NEWSLETTER: January 14, 2018 Observer Newsletter: All Elite Wrestling details, Tokyo Dome, more

The most detailed coverage of All Elite Wrestling heads up the new issue of the Wrestling Observer. Take an extensive look at the promotion, from its beginnings, background on its owners, its front office structure, senior management, contracts with the top guys, different concessions, other stars being talked with, details behind the Chris Jericho signing, an update on Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi, and more on proposed television deals.

Look at the New Japan WrestleKingdom show. Read about the top matches, changing of talent, MSG show, Bullet Club changes, business surrounding WrestleKingdom big shows of 2019 and early 2020 as well as full coverage of the Dome show with match-by-match coverage, star ratings and poll results.

Read about the life of “mean” Gene Okerlund, his background before wrestling, his death and his wrestling career.

Look at the NXT UK Takeover show, update on several injured WWE stars, most watched WWE videos of 2018, new executive hire, and an injured wrestler may become an announcer.

Go in-depth on the Jon Jones situation covering the test results, how the story changed, what the experts said, what is misleading as well as the world of drug testing and PED usage.

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.

SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Toni Storm won the NXT UK Women’s Championship by defeating Rhea Ripley at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool today. Storm is the second person to hold the title in its history. Zack Gibson & James Drake became the inaugural NXT UK Tag Team Champions by defeating Tyler Bate & Trent Seven, and Pete Dunne retained the WWE United Kingdom Championship by defeating Joe Coffey in the main event. WALTER made his first WWE appearance after Dunne vs. Coffey and went face-to-face with Dunne in an angle to close the show.
  • After there were chants at TakeOver asking if Vince McMahon was watching, Vince’s Twitter account posted: “Yes, I watched #NXTUKTakeOver. Yes, it was awesome.”
  • Triple H did a Q&A with NXT UK interviewer Radzi Chinyanganya following TakeOver.
  • Triple H came out to thank the fans after TakeOver. He posted on Twitter: “I had to come out and personally say thank you. Thank you to those in attendance @WGEmpress…Everyone who watched LIVE on the @WWENetwork…and to everyone who believed in @NXTUK. This is YOUR Empire…#WeAreNXTUK!”
  • In a post-show interview, Triple H spoke about Travis Banks’ reaction to the angle where he was replaced by Finn Balor against Jordan Devlin: “He was extremely cool with it. It’s not the end of that story — they’re gonna get their moment. Part of me hates taking the moment away from him but it’s for the betterment of everybody. In some way, everyone worked hard tonight but his sacrifice almost means more. It’s about the individual product not the individual and that’s the way he [Banks] took it because he’s a pro.”
  • Tyler Bate and Trent Seven paid tribute to Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid by wearing British Bulldogs-inspired gear at TakeOver. They also hit a running powerslam and diving headbutt for a near fall during the match.
  • A new episode of NXT UK isn’t listed on the WWE Network schedule for next week. Instead, a replay of UK TakeOver is listed as airing from 3-5:30 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday.
  • The Mirror interviewed Rhea Ripley prior to TakeOver.
  • During an appearance at Ace Comic Con, Alexa Bliss spoke to Lilian Garcia about where she stands in her recovery from injury: “Well, I plan on coming back pretty soon. WWE is very careful when it comes to us with concussions and any injury. And we have the best of the best taking care of us and you have to go through concussion protocol. Everyone’s just being precautious, which they should — it’s a brain, you only get one, can’t trade it out for another. So, I’ve been doing really well. I’ve been training at the Performance Center — I’ve been training in the ring there. There’s definitely hope for me getting back in the ring relatively soon. It just depends on — it’s a brain, you can’t really tell it to heal. My MRIs and everything look good. Neurologists say I look good — and just as long as I don’t have symptoms. Because that’s the thing, if you feel good and you know you’re good, and you go in the ring and you have a symptom, you have to start all the way from square one.” Bliss said hopefully sooner than later she’ll be doing her “Moment of Bliss” talk show segment and wrestling in the ring.
  • After an interview with the Daily Star where he supposedly criticized “snowflakes” made headlines, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson clarified that the interview in question never even happened: “Settin’ the record straight. The interview never happened. Never said those words. 100% false. If I ever had an issue with someone, a group, community or a generation — I’d seek them out, create dialogue and do my best to understand them. Criticizing ain’t my style. I don’t cast stones and we all get to be who we are.”
  • The Undertaker now has a verified Twitter account.
  • WWE uploaded episode two of “Remaking the Monster,” which looks at Braun Strowman during his recovery from elbow surgery.
  • WWE wrestlers took part in a “Try Not to Look Back” challenge.

Pro Wrestling

  • This week’s MLW Fusion episode is now available on YouTube. It features Low Ki defending the MLW World Heavyweight Championship against Fred Yehi, Tommy Dreamer vs. Brian Pillman Jr. in a Singapore cane match, and Dragon Lee vs. Rich Swann.
  • Nick Jackson of The Young Bucks wished ROH luck on their shows this weekend: “Good luck to the ROH crew this weekend! It’s the first loop of shows without us in years so it feels strange not being there. Good luck to everyone in that company. Best wishes to them all for the future!”
  • Chris Jericho appeared on Busted Open Radio this week to discuss signing with All Elite Wrestling.
  • Jericho posted an old picture of him and Triple H on Instagram: “Here’s to a true brother, through good times and bad! @tripleh …much respect! #goodbrother @wwe”

UFC/MMA

Daily Pro Wrestling History: The Outsiders win WCW Tag Team titles

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