Daily Update: Owens DVD, Netflix’s GLOW series, SmackDown

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 2/27/2017: Looking ahead to WWE Fast Lane

With WWE’s final pay-per-view before WrestleMania under a week away, the build to Fastlane has been aided by a few of the company’s best television segments of at least the past several months. The Festival of Friendship was perfect. From the timing of it coming before the audience knew for sure that the full turn was happening, the performances of Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho, and even the parts played by the bit characters, everything delivered… Subscribers click here to continue.

WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: February 27, 2017, Massive Ivan Koloff bio, death of George “The Animal” Steele, tons more

A huge feature on the life and career of Ivan Koloff is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, which is available right now. Plus, there are also features on George Steele, Nicole Bass, Johnny K-9, Diamond Dallas Page and Teddy Long.

The Koloff story talks about the most famous match of the 1970s in the U.S., his win over Bruno Sammartino, as well as his loss to Pedro Morales in WWWF title matches, the birth of Ivan Koloff, his days as Red McNulty, his first match with Sammartino, how he got the Koloff gimmick and who he was named after. This issue also looks at his title run with Sammartino the first time in Pittsburgh and then the WWWF, the most one-sided trade in sports history, the return of Koloff for his title win, the angle done to cover Sammartino, and the two big nights in Madison Square Garden.

Have a look at the creation of Ivan Koloff in Quebec and how he first made his name as a major drawing card, and look at his run in Australia where Gary Hart managed him. Plus look at his days in the AWA, Hawaii, St. Louis, Georgia, Florida, the second WWWF run, the role as top heel for the opposition, the tag team with Ole Anderson, his feud with Dusty Rhodes, and the emergence of Nikita Koloff and the other Russians in the 80s.

Examine the career of George Steele, the life and times of Johnny K-9, the strange world of Nicole Bass, and the WWE Hall of Fame inductions of DDP and Teddy Long.

Plus, details about the filming of “Fighting with My Family” after Raw and Smackdown this past week, notes on the movie, the phone calls to C.M. Punk in front of the fans, the Naomi injury, an update on Fast Lane, return of Finn Balor notes, a look at plans for a show after WrestleMania, the busy Raw brand schedule, WWE working with Indies on WWE Network update, WWE market value, most watched shows on WWE Network, plus details of all the WWE & NXT house shows over the past week along with business notes.

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: February 7, 2000, Radicalz debut in WWF, The Rock autobiography review, more

Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, Perry Saturn and Eddy Guerrero debuted as The Radicals on the 1/31 Raw show from Pittsburgh in what was considered a big push but it all fell apart the next night in their in-ring debut when Guerrero suffered what appeared to be a serious elbow injury on the 2/1 Smackdown tapings in Detroit. Smackdown, live Raw the previous night, was to be built around the newcomers with the stipulations that they would have a best-of-three series between DX and the Radicals, and if the Radicals won, then Hunter Hearst Helmsley would have to agree to sign them to a WWF contract… Subscribers click here to continue.

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • WWE will be releasing “Fight Owens Fight: The Kevin Owens Story” on DVD in July. The company posted a teaser for the DVD on Twitter.
  • Owens also appeared on today’s episode of the Steve Austin Show, which was taped backstage at the February 20th Raw in Los Angeles.
  • John Cena & Nikki Bella vs. James Ellsworth & Carmella has been announced for next week’s SmackDown.
  • After the angle where Randy Orton turned his back on Bray Wyatt last night, there was a segment on Talking Smack that furthered tensions between AJ Styles and Shane McMahon with Styles still demanding to challenge for Wyatt’s WWE Championship at WrestleMania.
  • Tonight’s episode of NXT features two title matches, with Asuka vs. Peyton Royce for the Women’s Championship and The Authors of Pain vs. DIY for the tag titles.
  • In an interview with the Sporting News, Big Show was asked about Shaquille O’Neal claiming that their WrestleMania match “probably” won’t happen and said that he still doesn’t know whether the match is off yet.

Pro Wrestling

  • Netflix’s GLOW series, which was inspired by the pro wrestling promotion of the same name, will premiere on June 23rd.
  • In an interview with the Scottish Sun, Drew Galloway explained why he turned down a “great” financial offer from TNA.
  • Revolution Pro Wrestling announced Marty Scurll vs. Ricochet for their show in Orlando on March 31st. RevPro also tweeted a thank you to Ring of Honor for allowing Scurll and Will Ospreay to work the show.
  • Scurll was interviewed by ESPN.
  • Anthem’s Leonard Asper spoke about TNA’s place within the company.
  • AXS TV will showcase NJPW’s 2016 G1 Climax over four episodes, beginning on March 10th and concluding on the 31st.

UFC/MMA

  • While appearing on SportsCenter to announce the Michael Bisping vs. Georges St-Pierre middleweight title fight for later this year, Dana White was asked about whether Tyron Woodley feels upset about how he’s being promoted heading into his UFC 209 fight with Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson.
  • Yoel Romero’s management declined to comment on not getting the next shot at Bisping’s title: “We don’t have any comment right now other than Yoel wishes GSP well in his return. He’ll talk more about this soon.”
  • Jacare Souza’s management issued a comment: “Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping is now Michael ‘The King’ Bisping, he just got promoted! Money fights win again.”
  • The press conference with GSP and Bisping will be on Friday at 5 p.m. ET at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas prior to the UFC 209 ceremonial weigh-ins.
  • Misha Cirkunov has agreed to a new contract with the UFC.
  • The UFC released the third episode of Embedded for UFC 209.
  • Dave Meltzer spoke to Tom Lawlor for a piece on MMA Fighting about Lawlor’s suspension and the level of interest he’s gotten from pro wrestling companies.
  • Joe Rogan, Jon Anik, and Dominick Cruz will be the broadcast team for UFC 209.

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). THERE ARE ONLY 5 SEATS LEFT!
  • The bus will leave at 3:30pm (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, including BIG DAVE MELTZER
  • 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).

Pro Wrestling Tees is now carrying our latest line of F4W shirts. Support the Empire~! Grab yours today!

    Today in professional wrestling history (3/1): Kobashi vs. Misawa for the GHC title

    CONTACT INFORMATION

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