Daily Update: Rich Swann, weekend box office, Superstar Shakeup

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

We’re looking for reports from the ROH show in Columbus, OH (Dalton Castle vs. Marty Scurll vs. Punishment Martinez vs. Beer City Bruiser, Cody vs. Matt Taven first blood match, Jay Lethal vs. Jonathan Gresham, Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky & Shane Taylor vs. Bullet Club & Flip Gordon, Silas Young vs. Cheeseburger for the TV title and Coast 2 Coast vs. The Dawgs. This airs live on Honor Club.

ALL JAPAN CHAMPION CARNIVAL AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN MONDAY MORNING FROM KAGOSHIMA ON THE ALL JAPAN STREAMING SERVICE

  • Yoshitatsu vs. Dylan James
  • Yutaka Yoshie vs. Kai
  • Kento Miyahara vs. The Bodyguard
  • Shuji Ishikawa vs. Naoya Nomura

Raw will be Monday in Hartford. The show will have another Ronda Rousey/Stephanie McMahon segment, plus The Revival vs. Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt with the winning team getting a match with Sheamus & Cesaro in Saudi Arabia for the vacant tag team titles and Bayley vs. Sasha Banks. It will be day one of the Superstar shakeup as well.

Smackdown and 205 Live will be taped on Tuesday in Providence. It will be day two of the Superstar shakeup plus Hideo Itami & Akira Tozawa vs. Lince Dorado & Gran Metalik in a tornado match.

​F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Seven thoughts from Wrestlemania 34

With a card that was still strong on in-ring action, Sunday’s WrestleMania 34 ended up being one of the weirdest events that WWE has ever produced. The show seemed destined to become one of the best in WrestleMania history, starting off with two very good matches and peaking with Ronda Rousey & Kurt Angle vs. Stephanie McMahon & Triple H blowing away all expectations. The Undertaker answered John Cena’s challenge shortly after that, squashing him in under three minutes. And Daniel Bryan returned to the Superdome and made his in-ring return in what was a great moment.

WON NEWSLETTER: April 16, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Historic Wrestlemania 34 weekend reviewed, more

This issue contains complete coverage of WrestleMania, NXT Takeover, ROH Supercard of Honor and UFC 223, with match-by-match coverage, poll results and star ratings.

Look at WWE’s future direction after WrestleMania, exactly how everything went down with the decision to change the finish and have Brock Lesnar win and the current Lesnar contract, his UFC talks and more. Look at why this will be going down the same way very shortly.

Have a look at who did and didn’t know about Reigns losing, what the script said, what and when the referee was told, what happened backstage after the match, why Lesnar gets special privileges and what happens next with the title.

Read why Cena vs. Undertaker went down the way they did, the return of Chris Jericho, update on Rey Mysterio’s contract, and what is next for the Greatest Royal Rumble and Backlash shows.

Check out the WWE Network numbers and what we can learn from them, and WWE’s business projections for the year and for the next quarter. Find out the viewing patterns on the network and how much it was up per person and what that means, plus an update on network plans.

Read about the live business in New Orleans and what it really was the last time compared to what was announced.

This issue has full details on what happened with Conor McGregor, as well as all the different things that went into Khabib Nurmagomedov facing Al Iaquinta. Look at Floyd Mayweather in MMA, what is next for McGregor, what happened with McGregor that hasn’t gotten out yet, and the story behind the New York not calling it a title match.

Check out the coverage of Impact vs. Lucha Underground, Progress, Revolution Pro, House of Hardcore, Evolve, the Super Shows and all the major activities in New Orleans over WrestleMania week.

Read more on the death of Johnny Valiant, the end, at least for now, of Being the Elite, why WWE is back in the U.K. game and where the ITV project stands.

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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

Milos Forman, who directed the movie “Man on the Moon,” about Andy Kaufman, which included Jim Ross, Lance Russell and Jerry Lawler, passed away yesterday,.  

Rich Swann returned to wrestling last night for the CZW show in Voorhees, NJ. He did a four-way match where he worked with Joe Gacy, Joey Janela and Brandon Kirk, which Gacy won. At the start of the show, they announced Swann and he came out to his entrance music and a surprise entrant added to the Best of the Best tournament. 

Nothing from wrestling or UFC made the most searched lists for the weekend, which isn’t good since UFC had a FOX special last night and they usually make it.

Two movies starring wrestlers made top five at the box office. Rampage, starring Dwayne Johnson, is projected to do $34.5 million in its opening weekend and will be easily No. 1. Blockers, with John Cena as one of its top stars, is expected to finish No. 5 at $10.3 million in its second weekend of release.

The Raw talent won’t be on Smackdown for the most part because after the show in Hartford, they have to fly to South Africa for two shows in Capetown, one in Pretoria and one in Johannesburg.

Josh Mathews was said to be at the ROH show in Columbus, OH tonight. (thanks to Craig Sweeney)

UFC

  • Max Holloway made an appearance on last week’s episode of Hawaii 5-O. He played a hired thug for a crime boss and threw a punch to the stomach to one of the stars of the show. (thanks to Grant Zwarych)

MISCELLANEOUS

  • AAW from Friday night in Merionette Park, IL before 590 fans: Paco b Pat Monix, David Starr & Jeff Cobb & Eddie Kingston b Keith Lee & Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz, Sami Callihan won three-way over Joey Janela and Zema Ion, Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett retained AAW tag title over Dave & Jake Crist, AR Fox & Myron Reed on three-way ladder match over Trey Miguel & Stephen Wolf and Curt Stallion & Jake Something to earn a tag title shot on 5/5 in LaSalle, IL, Ace Romero b MJF (to set up a dog collar match between the two on 5/5), Penta 0M b Teddy Hart, Tenille Dashwood & Hudson Envy & Samantha Heights b Jessicka Havok & Su Yung & Kimber Lee, ACH b Rey Fenix to keep AAW title. Also on 5/5 will be Trevor Lee defending the Heritage title against Paco and Moose vs. Brody King.
  • Innovative Wrestling on 5/26 in Kingsport, TN at the Civic Auditorium with The Brotherhood vs. Ugly Ducklings in a 2/3 fall match.
  • Stardom results from Saturday in Yokohama: Hunan won three-way over Nao Yamaguchi and Leo Onozaki, Candy Floss b Shiki Shibusawa, Bea Priestley & Session Moth Marina & Chardoanny b Kagetsu & Hana Kimura & Natsu Sumire, Jungle Kyona & Natsuko Tora & Natsumi b Kaori Yoneyana & Konmai & Ruaka, Starlight Kid & Mayu Iwatani & Saki Kashima b Momo Watanabe & HZK & AZM, Io Shirai b Mary Apache. (thanks to Jake Koch)  
  • The Artist of Stardom six-man titles have been vacated due to the draft. Shirai & HZK & Viper were the champs but HZK was drafted to Oedo Tai.
  • Stardom results from today in Tokyo at Shinkiba: Hanan b Leo Okazaki, Mary Apache & Shiki Shibusawa & Natsumi b Kaori Yoneyama & Ruaka & Nao Yamaguchi, Bea Priestly & Chardonnay b Natsuko Tora & Konami, Momo Watanabe & HZK & AZM b Starlight Kid & Jungle Kyona & Saki Kashima. 
  • Defy Wrestling on Friday night before 675 fans: Drexl & Dr. Kliever b Soncio & Guillermo Rosas, Mike Santiago won three-way over Tom Lawlor (managed by Bryan Alvarez) and Matt Cross, Tommy Dreamer b Randy Myers in an extreme rules match, Artemis Spencer & Billy Suede b King Khash & Cody Chhun in a tag team tournament match, Brody King b Schaff, Austin Aries b Shane Strickland to win the Defy title. The match first ended with a double count out. Strickland then won and they restarted the match, and then Aries won with a low blow. Aries is doing his belt collector gimmick. (thanks to S Janicek)
  • Best in the World is now having its weekly TV show air at the same time, 9 p.m. every Thursday, on their Twitch app, their YouTube channel and on CMAC Ch. 93 in Fresno.  They taped today in Visalia and will tape again 5/19 in Merced, CA at the American Legion Post. (thanks to Jon Southerland) 
  • Rise from Friday night in Berwyn, IL: Jenna Von Muscles b Laynie Luck, Tessha Price b Robyn Reid, Mia Yim &N Kay Lee Ray b Tessa Blanchard & Indi Hartwell, Zoe Lucas won gauntlet over Facebrooke, Thunder Rosa and Valentina Loca, Karen Q & Rae Lyn b Nicole Savoy & Aerial Monroe, Shazza McKenzie b Hyan, Charli Evans & Jessica Troy b Chelsea Green & Britt Baker, Mercedes Martinez b Taya Valkyrie, Cheerleader Melissa & Shotzi Blackheart & Willow Nightingale b Kris Wolf & Dynamite Didi & Kikyo in an elimination match, Saraya Knight b Joey Ryan, Dust & Melanie Cruise b Kylie Ray & Miranda, Delilah Doom b Deonna Purrazzo to keep the Rise title. Blackheart then challenged Doom to a title match after the show. (thanks to Jake Koch)
  • CZW Best of the Best from last night in Voorhees, NJ before 275 fans: Matt Riddle won three-way over Curt Stallion and Wheeler Yuta, David Starr & Tessa Blanchard both submitted Peter Avalon to advance, Joe Gacy won four-way over Joey Janela, Rich Swann and Brandon Kirk, Zachary Wentz won three-way over Myron Reed and Trey Miguel, Zachary Wentz b Joe Gacy David Starr won three-way over Matt Riddle and Tessa Blanchard, The Rep b Storm of Entralia to keep the tag titles, MJF b Rickey Shane Page to win the CZW title, David Starr b Zachary Wentz to win Best of the Best. Next show is 5/12 in Voorhees. They are also doing a joint show in London with IPW UK on 5/13 at Clapham Grand with David Starr, Mask Haskins, Ethan Page, The Rep and MJF. (thanks to Justin Henry and Bob Magee).
  • Shimmer results from last night in Berwyn, IL: Dementia D’Rose & Nina Monet b Tesha Price & Queen Aminate, Facebrooke b Ray Lyn, Zoe Lucas b Ariel Monroe, Samantha Heights b Sierra, Hudson Envy won four-way over Dynamite Didi, Kay Lee Ray and Miranda Alize, Rachael Ellering b Veda Scott, Dust b Rhia O’Reilly, Marti Belle b Brittany Blake, Delilah Doom & Leva Bates kept the tag titles over Charlie Evans & Jessica Troy, Mercedes Martinez b Willow Nightingale, Shazza McKenzie kept the Heart of Shimmer title over Shotzi Blackheart, Mia Yim b Nicole Matthews, Deonna Purrazzo b Madison Eagles, Nicole Boy b Cheerleader Melissa to retain the Shimmer title.
  • Shimmer results from the second session yesterday in Berwyn, IL: Zoe Lucas b Leva Bates, Dust & Melaine Cruise b Rhia O’Reilly & Saraya Knight, Shazza McKenzie b Hudson Envy to keep Heart of Shimmer title, Cheerleader Melissa b Facebrooke, Kikyo & Dynamite Didi b Jessicka Havoc & Nevaeh, Kay Lee Ray b LuFisto-DQ, Madison Eagles b Keira Hogan, Kris Wolf won over Charlie Evans, Shotzi Blackheart and Mia Yim, Kimber Lee b Delilah Doom, Mercedes Martinez b Vanessa Kraven, Nicole Savoy b Deonna Purrazzo to retain the Shimmer title. (thanks to Jake Koch)
  • Maverick Pro Wrestling from last night in Burbank, CA: Andrew Everett won three-way over Brian Cage and Daniel Moon, Brian Jace & Laynie Luck b Machiko San & DC Hannon, Kikutaro b Stan Stylez, Katarina b Jordynne Grace to keep the women’s title, Chris Bey b Austin Theory, Fred Yehi won three-way over B-Boy and Keita Murray, Workhorsemen won three-way over Zero Gravity and Ugly Ducklings, Killer Kross was DQ’d in three way with Keith Lee and JT Dunn, Chris Bey b Killer Kross in a Money in the Bank cash win to win their title. The show had a low ceiling and Lee picked Dunn for a last ride power bomb and Dunn’s head went through a ceiling panel. Next show is 5/4 with Sumie Sakai, Adam Brooks and Rachael Ellering. They also have an ECW reunion show on 6/23 with Raven, Tommy Dreamer, Sabu, Shane Douglas, Super Crazy and Justin Credible. (thanks to Brian Reznick)
  • All Pro Wrestling from last night in Union City, CA: Chicano Flame b Snypes, JTG & Matt Carlos b Ricky the Activist  Shiloh Greaves, Sione Finau b Boyce LeGrande, Karl Fredricks b Funnybone, JR Kratos & Jacob Fatu & Journey Fatu b Amish Johnson & Grizzly Kat Jak & Papo Esco, Samara b Kimmy, TMD & Rex Calhoun b Levi Shapiro & Buddy Royal, Jeff Cobb b Will Hobbs to keep the Universal title, Dave Dutra b Rik Luxury in a cage match. (thanks to Matt Mann)
  • SoCal Pro 11th anniversary show from last night in Oceanside, CA before 360 fans: Ryan Kidd b Destro, Hunterf Freeman won Battle Royal, True Grit b Ballard Brothers, Penta 0M & Rey Fenix b Bestia 666 & Lil Cholo, Juventud Guerrera b SoCal Crazy, Andy Brown b Ricky Mandel in a cage match to win the SoCal Pro title. They also inducted Ric &Vic Dynamic, James MacFarlane and Cory “TNT” Van Kleeck into the SoCal Pro Hall of Fame.
  • Lance Storm replaced Stan Hansen doing a meet and greet for tonight’s CWE show in Winnipeg at Rookie’s Sports Bar.
  • Eve from last night in London before a sellout of 200 fans: Kasey Owens b Millie McKenzie, Laura DiMatteo won four-way over Xia Brookside, Leah Owens and Nina Samuels, Charlie Morgan b Jetta, Charlie Morgan b Isla Dawn, Charlie Morgan b Jayla Dark-DQ, Sammii Jayne b Charlie Morgan, Jamie Hayter b Mesha East, Viper b Livvii Grace, Sammii Jayne b Erin Angel. Next show is 5/5 at York Hall in London with Aja Kong vs. Viper, Kay Lee Ray vs. Meiko Satomura, Kris Wolf vs. Jinny, a War games match, a ladder match and Morgan vs. Jayne for the Eve title. (thanks to Emily and Dann Read)
  • Baja Stars Wrestling on 4/22 in Cudahy, CA at 4835 Clara St has Volador Jr. & Misterioso Jr. vs. Bestia 666 & Garza Jr., 5/12 in San Diego at 3020 Coronado Ave. has Volador Jr. & Flyer vs. Misterioso Jr. & Ultimo Ninja.
  • A story on wrestlers who became actors. (thanks to Barry Werner)
  • Great North Wrestling’s 1.5+ hour career interview with WWE Hall of Famer Tony Atlas.

Daily Professional Wrestling History: Misawa becomes first GHC Heavyweight Champion

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