Daily Update: Raw tonight, Hell in a Cell, Flair 30 for 30

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

We’re looking for your thoughts on UFC 216, WWE Hell in a Cell and New Japan Kings of Pro Wrestling, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

We’re also looking for reports on Raw tonight in Indianapolis with the non-Raw results, Main Event, dark matches, post Raw, and Smackdown house show report from tonight in East Lansing, MI. Indianapolis was where The Shield debuted, broke up, and this week will likely get back together so that’ll be the focus of the show. Smackdown has a house show in East Lansing, MI.

Smackdown and 205 Live will take place on Tuesday night in Grand Rapids, MI. Rich Swann vs. TJP has been announced for 205 Live.

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY:Figure Four Weekly 10/2/2017: Previewing WWE Hell in a Cell

For the first time since July’s lackluster Battleground show, SmackDown will put on a brand-exclusive pay-per-view as Hell in a Cell takes place in Detroit on Sunday night. Battleground was a night where nearly everything went wrong. The Punjabi Prison main event was awful, AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens had a botched finish, and only the tag title match between The New Day and The Usos saved it from being a totally irredeemable show.

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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER:October 9, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Death of Lance Russell, HIAC preview, more

It’s a special issue of the Wrestling Observer this week with a lead story on the life and career of Lance Russell. Look through his life, both in and out of wrestling, going back to when he started being a fan, the people whose careers he made, comments from fans and others in the business, how he made the careers of Jerry Lawler and Dave Brown, interaction with fans, his thoughts on a number of subjects, decisions he made as the program director, his first mention in a national trade publication, his first year broadcasting Memphis wrestling and why it was so politically important, when he promoted and having to pack a gun, his time moving to WCW, the song about him, and my own interactions with him over the years.

Look at the next three WWE PPV shows and directions, as well as the next Takeover show.

There are also updates on Ric Flair, notes on how Jim Ross’ book is doing, an update on the concussion lawsuit and the judges’ ruling that hurts the case, Notes on Shane McMahon filing a suit claiming he was duped out of $500,000, WWE in India, Samoa Joe injury update, Nikki Bella Dancing With The Stars update, Brock Lesnar schedule change, Kurt Angle talks his future and wrestling, indie name likely on the way to WWE, update on Jim Ross and New Japan, more on Kane running for Mayor, and Randy Orton talks his current role,

This issue has coverage of all the WWE and NXT arena events, with business notes and highlights inside the rig.  

Check out AAA’s Heroes Inmortales show, how the company is doing and the story behind different people advertised who weren’t there.

Read details on the ratings for all the national shows over the past week, including breakdown of who was watching all of the WWE shows.

Results of the major league arena events held all over the world this past week, as well as notes on the various TV shows, all in this issue.

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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. 

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WON BACK ISSUE: September 11, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WCW and ECW uncertainty, All Japan/New Japan feud, more

The pro wrestling industry in both the United States and Japan has never been in a more tumultuous period than it currently faces with only two companies, at least as it stands right now, having anything that could be close to regarded as rosy long-term futures. The lack of substantial news as the new TV season is about to start makes the future of the U.S. scene, aside from the WWF, speculative, in some cases, to a scary degree.

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MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Raw, King of Pro Wrestling and the rest of the news. If you’ve got questions for the show you can send them to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com.

Best of luck to everyone in the Santa Rosa/Clear Lake and the other places threatened by the fires in Northern California. It’s like every morning there is a new disaster somewhere in the world. Never had a year like this before. 

WWE Hell in a Cell was the 14th most searched for topic on Google yesterday with 200,000. UFC 216 was No. 4 on Saturday with 500,000. 

Raw ratings may not be strong this week with both football (Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears) and the Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians playoff game.  

The next major New Japan show will be Power Struggle on 11/5 from Osaka. The lineup should be announced in the next day or so. That will be a crazy weekend with the UFC show from MSG and the Power Struggle show starting right after UFC finishes, and Impact is doing Bound for Glory the next night.     

Nothing is officially announced for Raw tonight but it looks to be built around The Shield vs. The Miz, Sheamus & Cesaro being set up as the TLC main event. Nia Jax vs. Alicia Fox vs. Emma will take place with the winner facing Asuka on the PPV in Asuka’s main roster debut.

Sports Illustrated has a preview column on the Ric Flair 30 for 30 piece.

WWE

  • The company confirmed a 10/7 show in Abu Dhabi at the Zayed Sports City Tennis Stadium that we had reported a few weeks ago. It will be a Raw brand show.
  • WWE officials say that Bray Wyatt was not injured and that wasn’t the reason he was off the weekend house shows.
  • Col. Sanders is one of the characters available in the create-a-wrestler mode in the WWE 2K 18 video game.
  • Some new NXT dates announced are 11/16 in Austin, TX and 11/17 in San Antonio, as well as 11/30 in Pittsburgh, 12/1 in Altoona and 12/2 in Bel Air, MD. The Texas dates are leading into the next Takeover show on 11/18 in Houston.

UFC

  • UFC announced that they have signed a deal with Modelo Especial as the Official Beer of the UFC. The key to this is that it means Bud Light no longer is, after a long relationship between the companies. A multimillion dollar deal was signed that begins in 2018 and they will be listed as the official sponsor for several PPVs every year as well as the VIP Experiences at live events.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Beau James has a story on the 45th anniversary of the death of Tennessee legend Whitey Caldwell. Caldwell was the most popular wrestler for a decade in that part of the country. 
  • We’ll have more in the Observer, but here are the results from the wXw big weekend events in Germany:
    10/5 in Essen, Germany before 100 fans: Alexander James b Julian Pace, Kim Ray b RAFA, Timothy Thatcher b Walter (UWFI style match), Angel Ortiz & Mike Drazik b Francis Kaspin & Jay Skillet, Jurn Simmons b Jaxon Stone, David Starr b Homicide.
    10/6 in Oberhausen before 350 fans: Jason Stone b Jay Skillet, Angel Ortiz & Mike Draztik b Homicide & Low Ki, Lucky Kid & Tarkan Aslan b Spirit Squad, Julian Nero b Da Mack, David Starr & Jurn Simmons b Absolute Andy & Marius Al-Ani, Robert Dreissker b Ivan Kiev-DQ, Timothy Thatcher & Walter b Mark & Jay Briscoe.
    10/7 in Oberhausen before 320 fans: Toni Storm b Jinny, Viper b Melanie Gray, Laura DiMatteo b Killer Kelly, Viper b Laura DiMatteo, Tino Storm b Wesna, Dirty Dragan b Jaxon Stone, Toni Storm b Viper. (Piper Niven in WWE)
    10/7 in Oberhausen before 550 fans: Mark & Jay Briscoe b Angel Ortiz & Mike Draztik, Ivan Kiev won four-way over Alexander James, Avalanche and Bobby Gunns, Jinny b Killer Kelly, Absolute Andy & Marius Al-Ani b Lucky Kid & Tarkan Aslan, Homicide & Low Ki b Timothy Thatcher & Walter, David Starr & Jurn Simmons b Spirit Squad, John Klinger b Ilja Draunov-DQ.
    10/8 in Oberhausen: Jay Skillet b Kim Ray, Alexander James b Steve Pena, Bobby Gunns & Jaxon Stone b Dirty Dragan & Young Money Chong.
    10/8 in Oberhausen before 500 fans: Mark & Jay Briscoe b Homicide & Low Ki, Spirit Squad b Absolute Andy & Marius Al-Ani, David Starr & Jurn Simmons b Lucky Kid & Tarkan Aslan, Timothy Thatcher & Walter b Angel Ortiz & Mike Draztik, Dirty Dragan &Ilja Dragunov & Julian Nero & Avalanche b Da Mack & Ivan Kiev & John Klinger & Peter Bouncer, Mark & Jay Briscoe b Francis Kaspin & Jay Skillet, Bobby Gunns b Homicide, Timothy Thatcher & Walter b David Starr & Jurn Simmons to win the tournament and become wXw world tag team champions. The last match was said to be incredible. (thanks to Markus Gronemann)
  • This is the segment with Tim Storm introducing the NWA world heavyweight title belt back on Championship Wrestling from Hollywood.
  • Complete results from the XICW show at Cobo Hall on Saturday which got more attention due to the Jim Cornette/Santino Marella incident: Travis Titan & Blake Acumen b Jay Maynard & Dougie the Creep, Rik Matrix b Matt Hagen, Juntai won over Jack Price, Marcus Everett and Alex Weir, Jackson Stone b Dru Skullz,Kef Sweat & Jeff Brooks b Willie Watts & Ridiculoso and Zach Main & Alex Beardslee, The Big b Levi Blue, Chuck Wagon won over Rod Street and Deputy Dave, Malcolm Monroe III b Dre Jacobs, Mercedes Martinez b Mia Yim to keep the Shimmer title, Bobby Lee b Caleb Stills, Kid Canuck b Bill Skullion, Joe Coleman b Jeff Brooks, Kongo Kong b Zach Gowen, Roughhouse Rob won Battle Royal, Andy Mukskat b Jimi V, Buff Bagwell & Johny Devine & Cody Deaner & Petey Williams b Mysterious Movado & Jaimy Coxxx & Eddie Venom, Shane Douglas b Al Snow, Rockstar Spud won over Gavin Quinn and Hakim Zane to win the Midwest title, DBA & Malcolm Monroe III b Abyss & Crazzy Steve to keep the tag titles in a cage match.  Also appearing included Dominic DeNucci, Jim Lancaster, Mickey Dole, Dave Drason, Terry Sullivan, the daughter of the Oklahoma Kid and others. (thanks to Leonard Brand)
  • Rocky Romero is starting an auction for UNIDOS for Puerto Rico Disaster relief. The costume that Romero wore on the 7/2 Young Bucks vs. Roppongi Vice match in Long Beach is being auctioned off with 100 percent of the proceeds for the auction going to the group. Romero will also be signing items and send a video message over Twitter or e-mail.  He’s selling pants, belt, kneepads, kickpads and his boots.
  • Pacific Coast Wrestling from Friday night in Wilmington, CA before 526 fans: Flip Gordon b Jay White, Chris Bey b Hammerstone-DQ, Fatu won three-way over Jeff Cobb and Willie Mack, Daga & Penta 0M & Rey Fenix b Sami Callihan & Dave Crist & Eli Everfly, Warbeast NC Sandman & Masada, Douglas James b Shane Strickland to keep PCW lt hwt title, John Hennigan b Brian Cage to keep the PCW title. Six-man tag was close to ****, but peaked early and had hard chair shots to he head. Terry Funk was there and bled a lot, getting involved in the Warbeast vs. Sandman & Masada match. (thanks to Brian Reznick)
  • Total Combat Wrestling from yesterday in Italy: Antonino Bellavaita & Rocco Giolello b Mariedu & Pain, Fenice Rossa won over Jacob and Carlo Birra, Merieddu b Rocco Gioiello, Il Merchese b Claudio Campari, Scandalo b Darkness II. (thanks to Alessio Garbini)
  • The ECWA Super 8 ChickFight tournament will take place on 10/21 in Woodbury Heights, NJ at the Community Center. The full field of eight women has been announced as Deonna Purrazzo, Karen Q, Skyler Marie, Santana Garrett, Samantha Heights, Christina Marie, Kaitlin Diamond and Allie Recks.
  • CWA on 1/13 in North Little Rock, AR and the Maumelle Event Center features Jerry Lawler and Carlito.  
  • One of the people who worked doing the staging and lighting for the Jason Aldean show in Las Vegas, where the shooting took place at last week, David Lowman, and was there when the shooting happened, was also there because WWE used the same staging company for the Over the Edge PPV show where Owen Hart passed away in 1999.
  • Anthony Murillo said he was at the New York Comic Con yesterday and said he was floored at the number of Bullet Club T-shirts.
  • David Lagana talks the reintroduction of the NWA brand.

Today in Professional Wrestling History: Nick Bockwinkel wins AWA title from Otto Wanz

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