Daily Update: Ronda Rousey, Mousasi vs. MacDonald, NXT tapings

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Ronda Rousey shines at Money in the Bank

The question of who should be the “top guy” in WWE going forward has been definitively answered. Ronda Rousey followed up on her incredible debut performance from WrestleMania with an even better showing at Sunday night’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view. In what was only her second televised bout and her first singles match ever, Rousey proved that she belongs in the ring. 

WON NEWSLETTER: WON Preview (June 25, 2018): Wrestling Observer Newsletter: The death of Vader

A detailed look at the career of Leon “Vader” White is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Look at his career highlights, his recent health issues and his death, his football days and how he got started in wrestling.

Also look at the program that first put him on the map as a star, his feud with Otto Wanz. Check out the debut of Big Van Vader, and how he was not the original person chosen for the spot. Find out about Vader’s first match including the celebrity involved and the riot. 

Go through his WCW career, his feud with Mick Foley, the development of the moonsault, his UWFI deal and the WCW champion vs. UWFI champion before 46,000 fans with Takada. 

This issue has an update of what happened behind-the-scenes that led to ROH having a date in Madison Square Garden and having it taken away, and the issues between the two companies.

Read full coverage of the Money in the Bank show with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results, as well as coverage of NXT Takeover Chicago.

Look at where WWE is going for Extreme Rules and SummerSlam.

There is an update on the Cow Palace show and the G-1 Climax tournament.

We’ve got a story on what happened with Big Cass and his being fired.

Look at WWE’s plans to run a show in Melbourne at MCG Stadium and the huge ticket prices for the event.

Also have a look at the WWE shows in London at Royal Albert Hall and the beginning of the U.K. division and what has and hasn’t been said.

Read a postscript on the C.M. Punk lawsuit.

Find out about the honor John Cena is nominated for, the TV commercial for the WWE video game, WWE injury updates, a WWE survey, Cena lawsuit settlement, who put together key matches at Money in the Bank, Undercover Boss, note on a new signee and gimmick idea.

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. 

Rates in the United States are $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com. For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52. If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.)

If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can choose one free classic issue or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.

THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE has confirmed that Ronda Rousey will be appearing at Monday’s Raw event in San Diego. They did not confirm she would be on the television show, only that she would be there. She is also scheduled for the Extreme Rules show in Pittsburgh in some capacity. However, she has been pulled from the Raw events upcoming in Boston and Buffalo.

We will have an interview with Kenny Omega up on the site shortly covering everything from why he thinks Okada is a better wrestler than he is, his future, upcoming shows, his match with Kota Ibushi, Vader and the detailed putting together of the Osaka match.

ESPN announced one of the biggest serious fights in Bellator history as middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi will defend his title against welterweight champion Rory MacDonald on 9/29 in San Jose. They are also looking at putting together Rampage Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva on that show.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison makes her MMA debut tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern on NBC Sports Network with the second PFL show from the Chicago Theater in Chicago. All the matches except Harrison’s fight will be part of tournaments with $1 million going to the winner. Dayton Daily News has a story on her debut.

Here’s an interview with Cody and The Young Bucks regarding All In, produced by David Lagana and William Patrick Corgan looking at their thoughts on the show.

NXT is doing TV tapings tonight at Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL. Tyler Bate & Trent Seven are there as new NXT tag team champions. William Regal is back for tonight’s tapings after being gone for several months with health issues.

WWE 

UFC

  • UFC is the presenting sponsor of the Outsports NYC Pride March on Sunday. Tecia Torres, Nina Ansaroff and Sijara Eubanks will join Outsports for the launch. All three are openly members of the LGBTQ community. The march begins at Noon Eastern starting in Greenwich Village in Manhattan.
  • The Memphis Flyer talks Dana White’s pro wrestling debut.
  • John Moraga vs. Deiveson Figueiredo was added to the 8/25 show in Lincoln, NE.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • David Arquette will be wrestling on the 7/15 tapings for Championship Wrestling from Hollywood.
  • Here’s a documentary on Evolve’s upcoming Matt Riddle vs. AR Fox match.
  • Bill Apter talks to Hulk Hogan about the death of Leon “Vader” White.
  • WXYZ in Detroit talks the death of Vader. (thanks to Jake Koch)
  • AAW on Saturday night in Merrionette Par, IL at 115 Bourbon Street has ACH vs. David Starr for the AAW title, Kimber Lee vs. Kylie Rae for the women’s title, Trevor Lee vs. Trey Miguel, Sami Callihan vs. Brody King, Hudson Envy vs. Su Yung, Steven Wolf vs. Myron Reed vs. Rich Swann, Eddie Kingston vs. Moose plus Colt Cabana, Curt Stallion, Jake Something, Paco, MJF, Ace Romero, Nate Webb and Scarlett.
  • John Hennigan vs. Teddy Hart has been added to the 7/12 MLW TV tapings in Orlando at Gilt Nightclub.
  • Shane Strickland vs. Brody King will headline tomorrow night’s MLW television show on Bein Sports.
  • There will be a boat cruise on 8/18 in New York featuring wrestlers Tommy Dreamer, Matt Striker, Hurricane Helms and Joey Janela as well as wrestling personality Kevin Gill from Noon to 3 p.m. for those around town for SummerSlam aboard the Luxury Harbor Cruise Ship.
  • Defy Wrestling will be featured tonight on the KING5 NBC news at 7:30 p.m. at www.king5.com/evening. They also announced 7/20 date in Portland, OR at the Hawthorne Theater headlined by Austin Aries vs. Shane Strickland for the Defy title, as well as a 7/13 show in Seattle at Washington Hall. Both shows are 21 and up shows. 
  • Unholy Warfare on 6/30 in Reidsville, NC with a series of death matches at the National Guard Armory.
  • CZW on 6/29 at the House of Independents in Asbury Park, NJ with tag champs Nate Carter & Dave McCall vs. Lance Lude & Rob Killjoy vs. White Mike & Timmy Lou Retton vs. Trey Miguel & Myron Reed, plus Bad Bones from Germany.
  • Pro Wrestling Eclipse on 8/18 in Oshawa, ONT at Legion Hall with Michael Elgin & Jake Lander vs. Kris Chambers & Sheldon Jean.
  • Alpha-1 Wrestling on 7/15 in Colborne, ONT at the Keller Centre.
  • In a recent mention of an update on Enzo Amore at House of Glory coming up, it was wrestlingnews.co which broke the story.
  • Will Ospreay vs. Markus Kool for SPW on 7/14 in Ivercargill, New Zealand.
  • Capital City Championship Combat on 6/29 in Ottawa, ONT at St. Anthony’s Hall with a four-way main event with Kobe Durst vs. PCO vs. Joey Janela vs. Teddy Hart and Evil Uno vs. Stu Grayson.
  • Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling on 7/21 in East Carondelet, IL at the Community Center featuring Kevin Sullivan.
  • NFC MMA tomorrow night in Kennesaw, GA at Electric Cowboy and 6/30 at the Infinite Energy Forum.
  • Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco will be appearing at the CWF Fanfest on 11/3 at the Marriott Residence Inn on Suncoast Parkway in North Pointe, FL in Lutz, FL. Tickets are on sale at www.eventbrite.com
  • wXw head of talent relations Tassilo Jung told Markus Gronemann that to the best of his knowledge, Toni Storm will remain part of the company’s live events and VOD releases going forward.
  • IPW Hardcore Wrestlnig on 7/14 at Gill Dawg in Port Richey, FL headlined by Dirty Blondes vs. Southern Posse. 
  • Destiny Pro Wrestling on 8/25 at the Battlarts Academy in Mississauga, ONT with Sami Callihan vs. Josh Alexander in a cage match along with Michael Elgin appearing. 
  • Battlarts has a show in the same building in Mississauga, ONT on 7/14.
  • Sabotage Wrestling live and free on Twitch on 6/29 from Austin, TX. 
  • Shane Strickland vs. Flip Gordon was announced for the 7/27 PCW show in Wilmington, CA.
  • The Liverpool Echo has a story on Paul Cahoon, a former UFC fighter who police in the UK are after.
  • Alison Brie and Marc Maron of GLOW talk wrestlers they know and their show. (thanks to Rob Blatt)

Daily Professional Wrestling History: Dusty Rhodes wins his second NWA World title

12th Annual F4W Empire Vegas Convention

Greetings friends and fans of the F4W / Wrestling Observer website. It’s time to announce the details of the 12th annual F4W / Wrestling Observer Empire Las Vegas Convention~!

This year’s event will be taking place in Las Vegas from August 16th to the 20th and will again be in conjunction with WWE’s SummerSlam weekend a.k.a. Super China Buffet Day~! There will still be the usual events, but our big draw will be WWE’s summer blockbuster PPV, SummerSlam. As per tradition, we will all gorge ourselves at a Las Vegas buffet, and then watch SummerSlam in a rented out movie theater. All information and ticketing prices are available now. Sign up ASAP as spots are limited for some events. 

This year will also feature a Future Stars Wrestling show which will include the first ever Gladys Gibson Doubles Match Classic! Already booked for the show are the teams Mia Yim & Leva Bates, Lufisto & Shotzi Blackheart, Samantha Heights & Brittany Blake, and Miranda Alize & Kylie Rae. Kris Wolf will also be appearing along with many more future stars. There may even be a classic star or two making an appearance. You won’t want to miss this show! Check out the convention’s Facebook page for all additional information.

CONTACT INFORMATION