Daily Update: NXT’s USA Network episode, WWE stock, The Rock

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​F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly 12/11/2017: Previewing WWE Clash of Champions

WWE is set to close out their year on pay-per-view with SmackDown’s Clash of Champions show on Sunday night. And while there’s enough talent on both rosters for pretty much every PPV to have some promise, the card is about as uninspiring as it gets. Tension between Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan, someone who will likely never be cleared to wrestle again by WWE, is the most compelling thing heading into Clash of Champions.

WON NEWSLETTER: December 11, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: UFC 218 review, Impact management changes, more

There are a number of different features in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, including why last week’s UFC show is so important historically, an update on the Shane McMahon-Daniel Bryan storyline, the changes in direction at Impact once again and the new power structure, a look at the Clash of Champions show, the Konnan / Crash split, U.S. TV coverage of Wrestle Kingdom and how New Japan is doing on U.S. TV, the idea behind a 205 Live tour and much more.

Look at the last three UFC events and why they are important, including lessons regarding the value of titles or shows that on paper look to be filled with action and what it means to the public. Read our poll results for UFC 218 and full coverage of the show including the good and bad of China, the creation of the women’s flyweight title, two match-of-the-year candidates, as well as questions regarding sport vs. spectacle and the message being sent.

Examine the business numbers for the shows including UFC 218 preliminary PPV numbers.

Look at the changes at the top with Impact, Don Callis’ background in wrestling, who looks to be gone from Impact next, and the directives the company is under.

Read about the WWE Smackdown direction leading into the PPV show, and the long-term of Daniel Bryan and where things currently stand.

This issues goes into detail on the Konnan / Crash split, the different factors that led to it, what Konnan said about it, the Aroluxe deal and what this means long-term for Crash.

Have a look at the New Japan TV deal in the U.S., viewership update on the show, plans for Tokyo Dome coverage and what led to numbers increasing.

Check out WWE’s plans for a 205 Live tour, including plans for the division.

Also, look at Jim Johnston leaving WWE and his work in the promotion, why the WWE stock price is rising and what UFC has to do with it, more WWE injuries, and WWE Week on the USA Network.

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: November 27, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Survivor Series review, Stan Hansen retires, more

The rapidly changing world of wrestling changed once again, as a Steve Austin vs. HHH main event at Survivor Series didn’t end with a pinfall in the ring, but with a forklift dropping a car, purported to be with HHH inside, theoretically to a Wile E. Coyote like catastrophe (where the victim should be dead, but will, of course live to see another day). The angle, largely to explain HHH taking some time off to rest his back and hip injuries, kept HHH’s unusual streak alive of having done no pinfall jobs in singles matches on PPV.

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

Pro Wrestling

  • Tokyo Sports announced the winners of their annual awards today. Tetsuya Naito won MVP for the second straight year, Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega from the January 4th Tokyo Dome show won best match, Io Shirai won the top women’s award, and Katsuyori Shibata was honored with the Fighting Spirit award. Suwama & Shuji Ishikawa won tag team of the year and Yuma Aoyagi from AJPW won rookie of the year.
  • Mark Cuban spoke to Sports Illustrated about NJPW on AXS. He said about their future plans for NJPW on the station: “We want to do more live, as opposed to the delay, and we’re talking to them about special events.”
  • Rolling Stone interviewed Kenny Omega about his match with Chris Jericho at Wrestle Kingdom 12. When asked about using blood in the angle they did at the World Tag League finals, Omega said: “I’ve been lucky where I’ve asked for a little bit of trust from the company. When you put yourself in a situation like that, you either hit consecutive home runs or you’re dead in the water, because there’s a lot of money on the line, there’s a reputation on the line. And a lot of times I really forced them to step out of their comfort zone. Between last year’s G1 and now with Jericho, I have done a lot of things the company isn’t necessarily comfortable with, but they’re seeing positive growth from it. Drawing blood is a faux paus. They don’t like it at all. Our parent company makes its money through anime and card games.”
  • Atsushi Onita claims that WWE has invited him to WrestleMania weekend in New Orleans next April.
  • Konnan tweeted that Aro Lucha will be coming to Lubbock, Texas on January 20th and another date in a different city will be announced tomorrow.
  • MLW uploaded their Never Say Never show for free on YouTube. It features Matt Riddle vs. Tom Lawlor and Jimmy Havoc & Darby Allin vs. John Hennigan & Shane Strickland in a no DQ match.
  • T-shirts for Candice LeRae, Joey Ryan, and their World’s Cutest Tag Team pairing will be available at select Hot Topic locations starting next week. If they sell well in the test locations, they’ll be made available at more stores.
  • ROH is hyping that there will be a major announcement for Women of Honor at Final Battle on Friday.
  • Alex Marvez wrote a column for Sporting News about the “Crazy Like a Fox” book on Brian Pillman’s life and career.
  • Zack Sabre Jr. will face Amazing Red for the first time at House of Glory’s show in New York City on Saturday.

UFC/MMA

Today in Professional Wrestling History: Lawler unifies AWA & WCWA titles at SuperClash III

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