Daily Update: Roman Reigns suspended, RAW Ratings, UFC ratings

  • F4W Staff
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The big news of the day, if you haven’t heard is WWE’s suspension of Roman Reigns for a wellness violation.  It is a 30 day suspension, which would be just in time for a possible return at WWE’s next PPV, Battleground.  Bryan and Dave discuss the situation on today’s Break News Wrestling Observer Radio, check it out!  

Without major competition WWE RAW ratings were highest since WrestleMania. 

Smackdown and Main Event will be taped on Tuesday night in Tucson, AZ

We’re also looking for reports on Saturday’s WWE house show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. 

THE ROUNDUP

​The 10th annual Wrestling Observer/F4W convention in Las Vegas takes place during UFC’s International Fight Week from July 7 – 11.Ed in San Antonio has information up on Facebook, or you can email him at F4Wfan@hotmail.com. It’s always a fun time, so hurry up and make your plans to join Dave Meltzer, Bryan Alvarez (yes he’ll be there), Vinny, Granny, and the rest of the group in beautiful Las Vegas this July.

Our “lunch with Granny” is good-to-go at Johnny Rockets (in Excalibur), just like last year, on Saturday July 9th, at 11:30 a.m. local time. We have the “patio area” reserved for us. We’ve also been granted 10% discounts. Just tell the cashier that you’re a part of “Granny’s Gang!” And of course… the star of this event, Ms. Gladys Gibson, just has to show up and be her charming self, and she eats for FREE! See ya soon!

​If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our Youtube page! No full video shows, but lots of video clips, full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!

Figure Four Weekly 6/20/2016: Never trust Nigerian investors– Growing up as a way-too-hardcore-for-my-age wrestling fan, I looked forward to watching whatever flavor of wrestling from the Dallas Sportatorium was on ESPN and in syndication at the time. The ESPN show was perfect for kids who loved pro wrestling: It aired at 4 p.m. eastern time, so it was perfect for after-school viewing… Subscribers click here to continue reading.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

READ IT HERE: June 20, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: UFC 199/NXT Takeover reviews, UFC ownership bidding ending soon, more

This week’s Observer has a major story on the gamble of Brock Lesnar in UFC 200, the most in-depth look at the Ariel Helwani situation that you’ll find anywhere, full coverage of NXT Takeover, UFC 199, WWE Money in the Bank, and the details of TNA’s struggle to stay alive, its PPV and its future. There’s also a breakdown on the WWE cruiserweight classic, and monthly WWE and TNA business figures.

Take a look at Michael Bisping’s unlikely title win, all the ramifications of the Lesnar deal, what it shows about WWE, a look back at the last time WWE risked one of their stars against an outsider without scripting, how Ariel Helwani got to be a star reporter and how that played into what happened last week, and what aspects of the story that are really more important that haven’t been covered or have been overlooked, all covered in this week’s issue.

WWE looks at the possibility of adding PPV shows and the good and bad of that decision-making, and some economics of that decision. 

A key WWE musician passes away, more on what Ali learned from pro wrestling, Bryan Danielson attends WWE event, Bobby Roode’s debut, notes on SummerSlam, new WWE executive hire, new WWE announcer, WWE looking for new members of creative, who is expected to return shortly, another animated WWE movie, update on Paul Heyman plus a full rundown on all the WWE & NXT live events this past week and business notes on the shows, in this edition.

Take a look at the background of the NXT Takeover show, the debut of Andrade Cien Almas and what did and didn’t work, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

For UFC 199, we look at the state of the middleweight title, how everything lines up, whom Michael Bisping wants next, as well as match-by-match coverage along with pay records for those on the show.

Finally, read how TNA saved its recent TV tapings and PPV, why they were close to not happening, where money came from, and what to look out for in the future. Plus, check out Slammiversary with match-by-match coverage and star ratings.

Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

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You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer.

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Check out the latest online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: May 10, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Fans celebrate life of Giant Baba at Tokyo Dome, PRIDE 5 recap, more. The final chapter in the career and life of Shohei Baba took place on the biggest show he ever main evented and the biggest show he ever promoted–some three months after his death.

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE/Pro Wrestling

  • The RAW replay on SyFy Friday night did 413,000 viewers, on par with what it’s been doing. As usual, it was the highest rated show for the night on that network.
  • AIW has launched their own podcast
  • A Ringer writer wonders if pro wrestling helped the Cleveland Cavaliers win their first NBA title.
  • Wrestling podcaster Chris Featherstone mentioned that according to JTG, he hasn’t been contacted on a potential WWE return.
  • Here’s info on this Sunday’s funeral for Gilberto “Gypsy Joe” Melendez who passed away last week.
  • Smackdown returns to Austin, TX, on 8/16 with tickets going on sale this Friday. They are advertising Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins. (Thx John Tovar)
  • Here’s Lex Luger’s appearance on the Two Man Power Trip podcast.

UFC/MMA

  • Saturday’s UFC on FS 1 did 964,000 viewers. That’s up from the last few shows but still down from the year to date average. The prelims, which aired on FS 2, did 369,000 viewers, one of the better numbers in the history of that station.
  • Bellator 156 on Spike TV did just 482,000 viewers on Friday night — the lowest number of the year and the lowest since a September 2013 show, which did 437,000. The Rampage Jackson special that aired immediately afterward did 206,000 viewers
  • On the “real” wrestling front, this article discusses a unique form of African combat sports where sorcery is cited as part of the training regimen.
  • UFC women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate was on Conan O’Brien’s show on Monday. She talked about Ronda Rousey, fans asking her to choke them out, and staring into Conan’s soul.
  • UFC launched the first episode of Unfiltered with Jim Norton and Matt Serra today. Their first guest should be no surprise: Dana White. Also no surprise, he buried Ariel Helwani and didn’t back off anything he did suspending Helwani and several other MMAFighting.com staffers.
  • WSOF 31, which ran head to head with Bellator on NBC Sports Network did just 126,000 viewers, also a year to date low for them. The last WSOF show that did a worse number was a December 2013 show, which did 94,000 viewers.
  • Victory FC 51 airs Thursday evening on UFC Fight Pass, headlined by two title fights featuring fighters with UFC experience. In the main event, Rob Emerson and Shawn West square off for the vacant featherweight title, while Mike Rhodes takes on Rakim Cleveland for the vacant middleweight title in the co-main. Former WSOF featherweight champion Rick Glenn is also on the show. Paul Fontaine has a more in-depth look at the show here, which starts at 6 pm eastern on Thursday.
  • In a refreshing change from the way fighters usually handle these things, UFC featherweight Chad Mendes has owned up to his recent USADA violation. Via Twitter on Monday: “I didn’t do my homework and that was a big mistake. I own it and I’m going to pay for it”. No suspension has been announced of yet but the standard penalty for a first offense is 2 years.
  • Add Georges St. Pierre to the list of fighters who want the first crack at new middleweight champion Michael Bisping. He hinted at that in an interview yesterday on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani.
  • Invicta FC announced their next show for July 29th in Kansas City. The show will be headlined by a strawweight title fight between Alexa Grasso and Jodie Esquibel. Former UFC fighters Jessamyn Duke and Peggy Morgan will each fight in undercard matches on the show, which will be airing on UFC Fight Pass.  

SUMMER EVENTS CALENDAR

  • June 24 – ROH Best in the World from Concord, NC with Jay Lethal vs. Jay Briscoe for the ROH title
  • June 24 – Isao Kobayashi vs. Justin Lawrence will appear on Spike.com at the Bellator Dynamite show in St. Louis. This is a combo MMA & kickboxing show.
  • June 24 – Thrash Wrestling “Passion for Smashin” – Schubert Centre 3505 30th Avenue, Vernon, British Columbia V1T 2E6
  • June 25 – The United Wrestling Coalition returns to Kelly’s Bar/Banquet Hall in Wrightstown, New Jersey for UWC Fan Appreciation Night!
  • June 25 – PWA Night of Champions – Century Casino Showroom – 1010 42 Ave SE Calgary, Alberta
  • June 25 – Pure Wrestling Association, Wakas Community Hall, 180 Tsulquate Rd, Port Hardy, BC
  • June 25 – Great North Wrestling returns to the Pembroke Memorial Centre, featuring Nicolai Volkoff. Tickets available here.
  • June 25 – The UWC returns to Kelly’s Bar/Banquet Hall, 14 Railroad Avenue, Wrightstown, NJ 08562. More information here.
  • June 25 – Ultima Lucha tapings in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles at The Temple 
  • June 25 – Capital City Championship Combat this Saturday in Ottawa with “Speedball” Mike Bailey, 2 Cold Scorpio, Space Monkey, “Hot Sauce” Tracy Williams, and more.
  • July 1 – Pure Wrestling Association is proud to announce our 7th year as part of the Canada Day Celebration. Riverside Park Cambridge, Cambridge, Ontario N3H.
  • July 2 – Stars of Wrestling from Alameda, CA at the Alameda Point Gym has Bobby Lashley, Carlito and The Boogeyman appearing.
  • July 2 – NWA Cajun Heat in Morgan City, LA at the Municipal Auditorium with Jax Dane vs. Mustang Mike for the NWA title, and an appearance by Kevin Nash
  • July 7 – Rock Solid Wrestling runs in Sudbury, ON.
  • July 7-11 The 10th annual Wrestling Observer/F4W convention in Las Vegas, EdinSanAntonio has information up on Facebook, or email him F4Wfan@hotmail.com
  • July 9 – Acclaim Pro Wrestling presents: Star-Mageddon 6!
  • July 9 – Smash Wrestling in Fort Erie, ONT at the Native Friendship Center. Chris Hero will headline this fundraising event.
  • July 17 – Lucha by the Water ft Blue Demon Jr! – Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay West, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2G8, 3-6 pm. Tickets here.
  • July 17 – Premier Wrestling at the IFDES Lodge and Portuguese Hall in Gilroy, CA with Joe Graves vs. Gabriel Gallo for the Premier. Tickets at www.premierwrestle.com.
  • July 22 – Ignite Wrestling in Fort Pierce, FL at the National Guard Armory on a show with Lince Dorado, Mr. 450 Hammet, Lio Rush, Martin Stone, Los Ben Dejos, and more
  • July 22 – AIW runs on 7/22 in Cleveland, OH, with Ethan Page vs. Josh Prohibition vs. Josh Alexander, and Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae vs. Ethan Carter III & Karlee Perez
  • July 22 – the Lou Thesz Hall of Fame weekend show in Waterloo, IA, featuring Ricochet vs. Sami Callihan, Wes Brisco, B. Brian Blair, Jessika Havok, Tessa Blanchard, a steel cage match and more
  • July 23 – Chikara Pro announced a doubleheader event at Toronto’s Franklin Horner Community Center.
  • July 23 – AAW  in Merrionnette Park, IL, with Sami Callihan vs. Pentagon Jr., Zack Sabre Jr., Marty Scurll; Tommaso Ciampa; Fenix; Johnny Gargano, and plenty more. Here’s what you missed on their last show.  
  • July 23 – Masters of Ring Entertainment in Wilmington, NC, as part of Pro Wrestling Fan Expo 3 will feature Jeff Jarret vs. ECIII vs. James Storm, announced by Jarrett in this video.
  • July 24 – Fenix vs. Pentagon Jr. headlines for Lucha Libre New York at Club LaBoom in Queens, NY