Daily Update: Reigns, this week’s ratings, Blanchard vs. Martinez

DAILY UPDATE

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We’re looking for reports on last night’s WWE Raw show in Portland, ME and today’s Super-show in Boston to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com

Raw is Monday from Providence, RI. There is also a Smackdown house show Monday night in White Plains, NY.

NEW JAPAN BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS ON MONDAY FROM SHIMANE ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Volador Jr. & Soberano Jr. vs. Taiji Ishimori & Robbie Eagles
  • Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask vs. Sho & Yoh

Tuesday has Smackdown, 205 Live and Mixed Match Challenge from Newark, NJ with MMC bout of Bobby Roode & Natalya vs. Finn Balor & Bayley and Jimmy Uso & Naomi vs. Miz & Asuka plus 205 Live bouts with Mike Kanellis vs. Lince Dorado and Hideo Itami vs. Mustafa Ali in a falls count anywhere match.

NEW JAPAN BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS ON TUESDAY FROM TOTTORI ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Robbie Eagles & Taiji Ishimori vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Desperado
  • ACH & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Chris Sabin & Kushida

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Backlash to WWE Saudi Arabia relationship picks up

WWE’s deal with Saudi Arabia has always been a bet that the overwhelming financial rewards would outweigh the inevitable public relations damage that it brings. With it so overtly going against the women’s evolution messaging that the company is promoting, WWE entered into the 10-year agreement with the knowledge that there would be backlash. But that was a controversy that would mostly exist inside the wrestling bubble. 

WON NEWSLETTER: October 22, 2018 Observer Newsletter: WWE Crown Jewel controversy, plus tons of news

A detailed look at how the problems with Saudi Arabia affect WWE’s 11/2 show is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  
Read about the crowd reactions, John Layfield’s television appearance, the different stages of reaction, the profit margin of the shows this year and next, and reaction of some senators.

Look at the issues with UFC and Khabib Nurmagomedov coming after UFC pulled Nurmagomedov’s teammate off the company’s next show, as well as where Nurmagomedov stands in popularity, and what is next for him.

Find out about the NXT U.K. television deal and how it went down, Kevin Owens injury update, ticket sales for Evolution, next PPV cards from WWE as well as major house show cards, and what FOX is looking for out of the wrestling product. 

Also look at the WrestleMania main event, what happen at Smackdown, WWE signs 7-foot-3 basketball player, WWE cuts three wrestlers, this week’s schedule as well as a look at the most-watched shows on the WWE Network.

Find out about Eddie Alvarez signing with ONE and their financial information.

Look at the game changing team DAZN signed with Canelo Alvarez and how this changes the economics and culture of fight sports.

This issue has a huge feature on the life and times of Don Leo Jonathan, his legacy, his biggest matches, his title history around the world, his world titles, shoots, comparisons to modern wrestles, praise from other wrestlers and more. 

Read full coverage of both the good and the bad of Bound for Glory, with business and other thoughts on the show, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results. Also look at surprises for the show that fell through.

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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio. We’ll be talking weekend news as well as taking your e-mail questions and we should have time for a lot of questions to mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com

Roman Reigns missed house shows the last two nights in Bangor, ME and Hartford, CT that he was the advertised headliner for. We haven’t gotten any word on what the situation is but he was still being advertised up to the point of the show. He’s also advertised for Boston today which is a rare Sunday with only one WWE show and it’s joint crew of Raw and Smackdown headliners. 

Raw this week will have it easier with no baseball, but Smackdown will go against game one of the Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Dodgers World Series. Game four goes head-to-head with UFC and if there is a game five, it’ll go head-to-head with Evolution. Game six will go head-to-head with Smackdown next week, so Raw at least in theory has seen its worst when it comes to competition unless there are playoff-deciding NFL games late in the season.

I’ve had people absolutely rave over the main event on the Friday night Rise show in Berwyn, IL with Tessa Blanchard vs. Mercedes Martinez. They were scheduled for a one hour Iron Woman match, and before the match it was extended to 75 minutes, and they worked that long with Martinez winning 5-4.

We’ll have more in the issue, but people are talking like today’s Kento Miyahara win over Zeus for the Triple Crown in Yokohama was a mach of the year classic. They also did a ten bell salute to Dick Slater. (thanks to Scott Look)

Pro wrestler and promoter Matt Riviera has been named the President of Right Now TV (RNTV), an Atlanta-based digital broadcast network. The network will include at least two pro wrestling shows, USA Championship Wrestling and TCW Wrestling, and would be interested if there are any quality tape libraries available. 

WWE

  • The Bella Twins are scheduled on Friday night on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to promote the Evolution PPV and match with Ronda Rousey. (thanks to Jon Southerland)
  • A.J. Styles vs. Jeff Hardy for the WWE title in a no DQ match was announced for tomorrow night’s house show in White Plains, NY.
  • Dwayne Johnson’s movie “Jungle Cruise” was announced for a 7/24 release date.
  • There is a Bruno & Carol Sammartino Foundation event coming up on Thursday. More information here. (thanks to Chris Cruise)
  • WWE shot an angle between Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch yesterday at the Performance Center. This was likely taped for Tuesday night’s show. The idea is that Charlotte was there giving a speech to the women in training when the altercation took place.
  • The Miz and Maryse were at the Formula 1 Pirelli United States Grande Prix.
  • In the first episode of the second season of Netflix’s “Making a Murderer,” Branden Dassy’s father in the show was wearing a John Cena T-shirt. Dassey, one of the men convicted of murder in the documentary, is known as a pro wrestling fan. (thanks to Joe Puccio)
  • Sasha Banks, who was back wrestling this weekend, will be on the daytime talks show “The Real” on Friday. (thanks to Jeff Beecher and Barney O’Neill)

UFC

  • Uriah Hall vs. Bevon Lewis has been added to the 12/29 show in Las Vegas.  Lewis comes off two wins on the Dana White Contenders series.
  • A story on UFC cutwoman Swayze Valentine.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • The REELZ Network is airing a documentary called “Hulk and Linda Hogan: Irreconcilable Differences,” at 9 p.m. Eastern on 11/1. (thanks to Jeff Beecher) 
  • The premiere of the movie “Journeyman Wrestling” will be Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Cinema 76 Theater in Port Richey, FL. The movie is about married wrestlers Francisco Ciatso and Stormie Lee trying to make it in independent pro wrestling.
  • Premiere Championship Wrestling from Friday night on a show with both Kenny Omega and Don Callis, where Callis did an unreal promo ripping on Omega. Omega took a bump into a birthday cake. There was a big food fight. Omega’s parents were at the show as was Tony Condello: London Dynasty b Bobby Schink & Travis Cole, Darren Dalton & Adam Knight b Moses Luke & Robby Royce-DQ, Kevin O’Doyle b Jay Walker, Tyler Colton b AJ Sanchez, Kenny Omega & Chris Stevens b Mike Angels & Chad Tatum and London Dynasty, JL Spiker b David Dixon, Bobby Schink b Alix Vanna. Here is  a clip of the Callis interview. (thanks to Andrew Shallcross)
  • Mike Mooneyham discusses Dick Slater and Don Leo Jonathan.
  • A story on WWE women inspiring other women to start wrestling. Here is another story in that direction.
  • Hartley Jackson retired today at the Zero-1 show in Japan. He was one of the leading figures in Australian wrestling and trained a lot of wrestlers. He’s been full-time in Japan for years. He was also one of the members of TMDK (The Mighty in NXT) before the two key guys went to WWE.
  • Northeast Wrestling from last night in Bethany, CT: Brandon  Watts b Buddy Costa, Jimmy Preston b ?, Ron Zombie & Chris Battle b Dexter Loux & Mike Gamble, Wrecking Ball Legurksy b Tommy & PJ Grayson in a handicap match, Christian Casanova b Mike Verna, Darby Allin b Josh Briggs, Brian Anthony & Anthony Battle b Daniel Evans & Keith Youngblood to win the tag titles, Brad Hollister b Jack Swagger to win the NEW title. Flip Gordon came out as a surprise to put the belt on Hollister’s waist. (thanks to Nick Mahmood)
  • There was a very controversial issue on a Heavy Metal Wrestling show in Texas on Friday. Rudy Gonzalez, who has trained a lot of wrestlers, was there cutting a promo and apparently he didn’t have permission to do so, started cussing and used a gay slur more than one time and the talent on the show were shocked thinking that fans would be offended and not come back. You really can’t be doing that on shows today. The promotion issued an apology but didn’t mention details as to what or to Gonzalez’s name but mentioned offensive language to the LGBT community. Ricky Stars wrote, “If your trainer uses derogatory language at a show and you back him up or don’t check his ass, you’re just as bad. This is directed at TWA in San Antonio, trainer and all. Don’t talk about how to do things “right” and then go and pull stuff like that.” (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
  • Bobby Fulton’s World Classic Professional Big Time Wrestling in Jackson, OH last night. Robby Starr b Tyler Robinson, Lenny San Dimas b Pittsburgh Steeler #2, Miss Hannah b Megfan DiFrancisco, Eric Smalls b Lil Bam Bam, Robby Starr & Pittsburgh Steeler #2 b War Eagle & Tyler Robinson, Bobby Fulton (managed by Ron Garvin) b Scottish Giant. Garvin knocked out Giant with his punch. Next show is 12/1 with Fulton vs. Shane Douglas in a Lights Out match plus a special guest appearance of Abdullah the Butcher. (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
  • Canadian Wrestling Elite tonight in Portage la Prairie, MB at the MNP Exhibition Building is the company’s first show in that city in six years.  Brutus Beefcake remains on this CWE tour as an outside the ring referee. They also run 10/31 in Grande Prairie Alberta.
  • AWS from last night in South Gate, FL: Douglas James won four-way over Royce Isaacs, Dom Kubrick and Che Barera, Watts b Kratos, Chaz Herrera b Techno Destructo, Mojo McQueen b Warhog, Bad Dude Tito b Jeckles the Jester, Raze & Funnybone & Vipress b Rebel & Jesse James & Watts (who replaced Jordynne Grace who is injured), Ray Rosas won over Jake Atlas and Lucas Riley via DQ, Heather Monroe b Priscilla Kelly, Tyler Bateman b Lil Cholo to keep their title. Next show is 1/26 headlined by Cheerleader Melissa defending the women’s title.
  • 3 Bat Productions from last night in Brownsville, TX: Epydemius b Silver Tiger, Tony El Tejano & Sairus b El Hijo de Fishman & Canek Jr., Kobra Moon & Drago b Tessa Blanchard & Sammy Guevera (said to be the show stealer especially Blanchard vs. Drago), Brian Cage b Laredo Kid, Fenix won three-way over Penta 0M and Matt Cross. Good crowd but they were not responsive to a lot. (thanks to David Rivera)
  • Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling from last night in East Carondelet, IL: Big Texan & Waco b P.T. Beckahm & War, Billy McNeil b Brady Shadeux, Curtis Wylde & Shawn Santel & Mauler McDarby b Gary Jackson & Moondog Rover & Keith Smith, Bobby D b Jake Prater, Christopher Hargas b Ricky Cruz, Ken Kasa & Sean Vincent b Kowalski & Attila Khan, Superstar Steve Fender b Flash Flanagan to win the Classic championship. (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
  • Jordynne Grace has to pull out of the Eve She-1 tournament in England on 11/10 and 11/11 because of a schedule conflict with the Impact tapings in Las Vegas as she’s now with Impact. Eve announced Grace and Sammii Jayne out and two new names will be announced tomorrow. Jayne is said to just be needing time off while Grace was due to the schedule conflict.
  • Shimmer results from last night in Berwyn, IL which sold out: Queen Aminata b Rocky Radley, Robyn Reid b Alex Garcia, Rachael Ellering b Karen Q, Charlie Evans & Jessica Troy b Delmi Exo & Ashey Vox, Britt Baker b Sierra, Veda Scott b Delilah Doom, Keira Hogan b Samantha Heights, Jinny b Shotzi Blackheart, Kimber Lee won three-way over Indi Hartwell and Shazza McKenzie, Dust b Ashley Lane,Viper b Kay Lee Ray, Nicole Savoy kept the title over Cheerleader Melissa, Vanessa Kraven and Mercedes Martinez. 
  • The second show had KC Spinelli b Holidead, Charlie Evans & Jessica Troy b Jessicka Havok & Nevaeh, Solo Darling b Sierra, Willow Nightingale b Dynamite Didi, LuFisto b Shazza McKenzie, Samantha Heights b Zoe Lucas, Kay Lee Ray b Hyan, Delilah Doom & Leva Bates NC Mercedes Martinez & Cheerleader Melissa, Heart of Shimmer champion Dust b Rachael Ellering, Nicole Savoy b Viper. (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
  • Stardom results from today in Osaka: Session Moth Martina b Hanan, Starlight Kid & Natsumi b Ruaka & Kaori Yoneyama, Utami Hayashishita & Konami d Momo Watanabe & AZM, Kagetsu & Natsu Sumire & Hazuki b Jungle Kyona & Natsuko Tora & Leo Onozaki, Bea Priestley & Chardonnay b Tam Nakano & Shiki Shibusawa, Mary Apache & Hana Kimura b Mayu Iwatani & Saki Kashima. The final two matches are part of their current tag team tournament. There are said to be Facebook fans mad as for Tuesday’s show, a Kagetsu vs. Hana Kimura Hardcore match as voted by fans to be the main event but the company is instead going to go with Momo Watanabe vs. Mayu Iwatani. 
  • Stardom from Saturday in Osaka: Shiki Shibusawa b Ruaka, Konami & Chardonnay b Bea Priestley & AZM, Mary Apache & Hana Kimura b Hanan & Leo Onozaki, Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita b Starlight Kid & Natsumi, Natsu Samire & Session Moth Martina b Kagetsu & Hazuki, Tam Nakano & Mayu Iwatani & Saki Kashima b Jungle Kyona & Natsuko Tora & Kaori Yoneyama. The Apache, Watanabe and Sumire matches are part of the tag team tournament.
  • Glory Pro Wrestling from Friday night in Sauget, IL: Myron Reed & Stephen Wolf b Logan & Sterling Riegel, Barackus b Farmer Billy Hills, Paco Gonzalez & Savannah Stone b Jake Lander & Toottie Lynn Ramsey, Timmy Lou Retton & White Mike won a three-way over Camaro Jackson & Kenny Alfonso and T-Money & Russ Myers, Markus Crane b Mikey McFinnegan in a street fight, DJZ b Air Wolf, AJ Gray won four-way over Edvin Kudic, Kody Rice and Chase Holliday, Curt Stallion b Marko Stunt in a bull rope match, Sean Waltman & Scott Norton & Buff Bagwell b Kevin Lee Davidson & Danny Adams & Mike Outlaw. (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
  • Rise from Friday night in Berwyn, IL: Lardy Frost b Rocky Radley, Shazza McKenzie b Valentina Loca, Kay Lee Ray b Ray Lyn, Holidead b Leva Bates, LuFisto b Indi Hartwell, Charli Evans & Jessica Troy & Zoe Lucas b Allie & Viper & Shazza McKenzie, Karen Q b Kimber Lee, Allysin Kay & Jessicka Havok & Nevaeh & Dynamite Didi b Alex Garcia & Layne Rosario & Nikki Victory & Myka Madrid in an elimination match, Jinny b Madison Rayne, Cheerleader Melissa and Rain both won three-way with both getting the pin over Dementia D’Rose, Dust & Raven’s Ash b Delilah Doom & Shotzi Blackheart, Mercedes Martinez b Tessa Blanchard in a 75 minute Iron Woman match to win the Rise title. David Arquette did an interview segment with Colt Cabana.
  • Marty Scurll vs. Damian Slater has been announced for the 11/25 World Series Wrestling show in Perth, Western Australia.
  • Dangerous Adrenaline Wrestling Gladiators on Saturday night in Glassboro, NJ at MaxFit & Sports.
  • XICW on 10/28 in Fraser, MI at the Lions Club with Michael Elgin, Jimmy Jacobs, Kongo Kong, Jaimy Coxxx and DBA.
  • Kevin Chiat called the Melbourne Championship Wrestling show from 10/5, the day before Super Show-down, the strongest card in company history. It is up on their Pivotshare service and he especially raved about Adam Brooks vs. Slex and Robbie Eagles vs. Gino Gambino. The reaction to eagles at the end of the match was the loudest he’s ever heard from an Australian crowd. The guys worked hard because they knew WWE officials an wrestlers were watching. 
  • PWA Colosseum tournament from yesterday in Sydney, Australia: Unsocial Jordan b Kyle Fletcher, Adam Hoffman won Battle Royal, Caveman Ugg b Adam Hoffman to keep PWA title, Mat Rogers won three-way over Mat Diamond and Jude London, Jack Bonza b AJ Istria, SnapChad won four-way over Madison Eagles, Michael Spencer and Marcus Kool, Paris DeSilva b Ricky Sout, Juan Direction b Matty Whalberg and Carter Dreams, Mick Moretti b Damian Slater. MarciouPitt and Lena Kross were announced for the WSW show in Perth.
  • Adam Brooks beat Orlando Jordan to win the Adelaide Championship Wrestling title in Adelaide last night.
  • IWA from last night in Sydney: Adam Abbas over Brad Alexander and Matt Bailey, Chris Abbott b Sam Osbourne, Will Kiedis b Jack Payne, Randal b Apollo, Jonah Rock b Jackson Kelly. (thanks to Kevin Chiat) 
  • Robbie Eagles’ first show back in PWA after Super Juniors Tournament is December 7th. It also has the second round of the Colosseum tournament.
  • The season 3 finale of Eliot Sexton’s Trophy Life. Set at the Progress US tour, featuring cameos from Matt Riddle, Jimmy Havoc, Toni Storm and Jinny. 

Daily Professional Wrestling History: WWF No Mercy 2001

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