Daily Update: Paige and Alberto, McGregor, Demetrious Johnson

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

We’re looking for reports on tomorrow’s WWE Raw event at Sumo Hall in Tokyo to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

This weekend we will be doing three sets of polls, for the New Japan shows on Saturday & Sunday in Long Beach and the Impact Slammiverary PPV show in Orlando, thumbs up, down or middle, best & worst bout to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

IMPACT TONIGHT ON POP TV AT 8 P.M. EASTERN

  • Matt Sydal & Sonjay Dutt vs. Trevor Lee & Low Ki
  • Mumbai Cats vs. Eli Drake & Christopher Adonis
  • Braxton Sutter & Allie & Rosemary vs. KM & Laurel Van Ness & Sienna
  • Alberto Del Patron & James Storm & Eddie Edwards & Mahabali Shera vs. Kongo Kong & Davey Richaerds & EC 3 & Bobby Lashley
  • Swoggle vs. Rockstar Spud in a street fight

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: Figure Four Weekly 6/26/2017: Cody Rhodes’ bet on himself continues to pay off

Cody Rhodes may have already completed most of the goals that he famously listed in a tweet after leaving WWE, but his biggest accomplishment since wasn’t something that was mentioned then. Rhodes defeated Christopher Daniels to win the Ring of Honor World Championship in the main event of Best in the World last Friday night.

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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: July 3, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Summerslam plans change, Cody Rhodes wins ROH World title, more

A look at changes in WWE booking leading to SummerSlam, including a main event change and how this likely effects the WrestleMania plans for New Orleans is the lead item in the new double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Look at SummerSlam, Great Balls of Fire, Battleground and the Brock Lesnar vs. Samoa Joe program and how it’s viewed.

There is a feature on Cody Rhodes winning the ROH title, interpromotional champion vs. champion matches in the last 30 years and how rare they are, the last time one person won a major world title from two organizations at the same time, the last match of this type in the U.S. and how it came without any hype and its purpose was very different, plus different reactions to Cody Rhodes, the trickiness of the finish, the ticket demand for Long Beach, what show last year exceeded it, and father and son combos who both held world heavyweight titles.

This issue features the 2017 G-1 Climax tournament, including all tournament matches, the broadcast plans and times, key matches to look out for and more.

Check out the NXT Takeover card for 8/19 in Brooklyn, an idea floated for Asuka’s booking, the arrival of Bobby Fish, more teases regarding Daniel Bryan wrestling again, more on how WWE has changed from a medical standpoint over the years, WWE TV in India, a new TV commercial regarding John Cena, WWE looking to find out why people have canceled network or don’t watch the programming anymore, Mike Bennett talks his WWE signing, Raw guys on Smackdown shows and Smackdown guys on Raw shows this summer, an update on Io Shirai coming to WWE and her injury situation, an update on the Mae Young Classic and broadcast plans, the promotion of the Mae Young name and lots of new wrestlers in the tournament.

Look at T.J. Wilson’s new role, the most-watched shows on the WWE Network, the company’s worth, NXT television for the month of July, as well as notes on all the WWE & NXT house shows from the past week, highlights of the shows and business notes on the shows.

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WON BACK ISSUE: June 5, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Pillman Memorial show, potential shift in the pro wrestling landscape, more

The entire pro wrestling landscape is expected to change greatly over the next few weeks. But there would be no such thing as intelligent speculation on how it’s going to end up. There are basic points of change for all three major companies in the United States. WWF is attempting to move its television from USA Network to what would become a revamped TNN, with Sunday Night Heat moving to MTV. 

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THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Despite rumors that they had broken up, Paige was at today’s Combate Americas weigh-ins with Alberto El Patron.
  • WWE.com posted an article about first-time matches that John Cena could have as a “free agent.” Roman Reigns, Samoa Joe, Finn Balor, Shinsuke Nakamura, Braun Strowman, and Jinder Mahal were mentioned.
  • The trailer for “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” which stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, was released today. The movie comes out on Christmas this year.
  • The Miz was asked a question about the LaVar Ball segment from Raw by the Hard Hidz podcast while doing press in Singapore. He said that sometimes the guests don’t totally follow scripts, but it’s something that people are talking about. He said that he feels like WWE either chooses him or Chris Jericho to help guide segments with outside celebrities.
  • The New Day will appear on an episode of “Adam Ruins Everything” on truTV as part of the show’s second season.
  • The WWE Network has added two more classic MSG shows. The events are from April 14th, 1975 and March 20th, 1983. A first look at the upcoming Kevin Owens DVD was also added.
  • Becky Lynch spoke to the Amarillo Globe-News about the WWE women’s divisions, the brand split almost a year in, and whether there will ever be a women’s Royal Rumble match.
  • Star 2 interviewed Finn Balor about his time in Japan and previously being named the “sexiest male wrestler” by Pro Wrestling Illustrated.

Pro Wrestling

  • Dave Meltzer appeared on this week’s episode of the Jim Cornette Experience to discuss the style of modern wrestling and the comments that he and Cornette had made about PWG.
  • USA Today interviewed James Storm ahead of Impact Wrestling’s Slammiversary pay-per-view on Sunday.
  • Alberto El Patron also spoke to ESPN to promote Slammiversary.
  • NJPW World is now available through Amazon Fire TV/Amazon Fire Stick.
  • Rolling Stone posted a feature on NJPW prior to the shows in Long Beach.
  • For those without AXS who want to watch night one of NJPW in Long Beach, Direct TV Now lists AXS TV as one of the channels they offer. There’s also some type of seven-day free trial for the service. (thanks to Jake Koch)
  • A storyline of Matt Jackson accidentally sending a DM to Dave Meltzer was featured on this week’s episode of The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega’s “Being the Elite.”
  • PROGRESS Wrestling announced that their show in the Boston area on August 13th will take place at Arts at the Armory in Somerville, Massachusetts. The show is a double header with Beyond Wrestling and there will be 300 tickets available for each event.
  • Jigsaw will debut for PROGRESS at their show in Birmingham on July 9th in a match against Jimmy Havoc.
  • EVOLVE announced a rematch between Trent Barreta and Austin Theory (w/ Priscilla Kelly) for their show in Marietta, Georgia on July 9th. Anthony Henry vs. James Drake and Chris Dickinson & Jaka issuing an open challenge for their tag titles are also set for that show.
  • The News Tribune in Tacoma, Washington profiled Tacoma native Shane Strickland in advance of him wrestling for Defy Wrestling in his home city.

UFC/MMA

  • Dana White said in an interview with MMA Junkie that Conor McGregor wants to face Khabib Nurmagomedov in Russia after his boxing match with Floyd Mayweather if Nurmagomedov beats Tony Ferguson.
  • Both McGregor and Mayweather uploaded videos of them training prior to their boxing match.
  • White also told MMA Junkie that he’s unhappy with Demetrious Johnson turning down the fight against TJ Dillashaw, but that he can get Ray Borg next if that’s what he wants (but White doesn’t want to hear from Johnson if it doesn’t go well). “You want Ray Borg, we’ll give you Ray Borg,” White said. “I’m sure the fans will be clamoring, and ticket sales will be through the roof and pay-per-views will be off the charts.” White also clarified that he never threatened to get rid of the flyweight division. He said that he told Johnson that getting rid of it was considered a couple of years ago.
  • Michael Chiesa has officially appealed his loss to Kevin Lee from last Sunday’s UFC show due to referee Mario Yamasaki stopping the fight before he had tapped or passed out.
  • Both Nate and Nick Diaz will appear on the Luke Thomas Show next Friday. White said in his MMA Junkie interview that he doesn’t think either will fight this year and that he doesn’t think Nick will ever fight again.
  • Sports Illustrated ran a story claiming that Ronda Rousey is proof of how fast athletes can reach the “where are they now?” level of stardom.
  • Johny Hendricks spoke to Submission Radio about why he missed weight at last weekend’s UFC show in Oklahoma City. Submission Radio also interviewed Wanderlei Silva about his loss to Chael Sonnen at Bellator NYC.
  • The Edmonton Journal wrote about the passing of Tim Hague.

Today in Pro Wrestling History: Stan Hansen stripped of AWA title

F4W Online / Wrestling Observer Vegas Convention Event Info

August 17-21; All times are TBA; Full information on the group Facebook page; Activities subject to change 

  • Thursday: Meet at the Big Shoot for Bowling at the Link; Party at Carnival Court at Hurrah’s
  • Friday: Kiss Mini Golf tournament at the Rio; Dinner at Texas de Brazil; Suite party (location TBA)
  • Saturday: Burgers with Granny for lunch; Future Stars of Wrestling show featuring Stephan Bonnar & Phil Baroni; NXT viewing party at the Sci-Fi Center
  • Sunday: SUPER CHINA BUFFET DAY at the Wicked Spoon Buffet at 1pm; SummerSlam viewing party at the Sci-Fi Center
  • Monday: Goodbye lunch at Chen Chen at NY NY

Texas de Brazil, Wicked Spoon, NXT and Summer Slam will all be sign up and pre-paid events, prices and collection begin in mid July~!

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

CONTACT INFORMATION

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