Daily Update: Rose Namajunas, Rhea Ripley, Triple H

DAILY UPDATE

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WON NEWSLETTER: April 6, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Florida lockdown, WrestleMania preview

A look at plans for AEW and WWE tapings, the guidelines set forth by Donald Trump, how both companies violated them, and why UFC simply can’t adhere to them is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

It’s a news-packed issue giving the full background of WrestleMania including the dollars lost by WWE in doing the show the way they did, why the reasons for doing it now make no sense, who was taken off the show and why, what key thing that relates to both fighting and pro wrestling that makes certain people higher risk that everyone is ignoring, where the WWE medical staff failed at their jobs with Roman Reigns and others, the WWE’s false advertising, Reigns speaks on why he didn’t do the show, Brie Bella talks on why she had mixed feelings on Daniel Bryan doing the show, plus a match-by-match rundown with thoughts on everything.

The new issue also covers:

The changes in WrestleMania business, why what seems to make no sense has a long-term thought process but where it may be flawed, why WWE flooded television with product this week and why it’s dangerous not to keep this up.

The falling apart of the Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov fight, what Nurmagomedov and Dana White said this week as well  Tony Ferguson’s demands ad who else was in contention for top spots on the show.  Joe Rogan also talks why he’s not doing the show no matter what, as well as the reaction of the other leading groups while UFC insists on going forward.

The hidden story that nobody has talked about regarding a pro wrestling event where the coronavirus has already spread.

New WWE television deals, a major WWE deal ends and why. What WWE stars head the most popular YouTube shows, Canadian TV ratings, U.K. TV ratings, Drew McIntyre talks WrestleMania, Seth Rollins talks operating a small business during these times, Edge talks about how he’s improved his promos, WWE market value plus the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE network.

The Japanese scene, who is still running, who isn’t, what shows were canceled last minute as well as the state of sports in Japan and South Korea.

Six months from now or longer, when people are allowed to go to live entertainment events who things may change greatly and who is hurts the most. 

Live attendance, television numbers the future of television and streaming and how it also affects the smaller groups.

DAZN’s decision to withhold payments to sorts leagues and what that says about its future.

Update the arrest of Jon Jones, with details on his plea bargain, what happened when he was stopped, the government’s reaction to Jones, both officers and their report as well as Jones’ reaction to what happened.

A look back at the 2019 Wrestling Observer awards with comments on a number of categories, who was and wasn’t deserving, the closest categories, and more on winners and close placings.

A feature on the life and career of Dean Silverstone, a former promoter and historian who was one of the key people in keeping wrestlers from the past in touch with each other through the Cauliflower Alley Club.  We look at his role in wrestling, how he first got into wrestling, his promotion, his book, life after wrestling and how he got back into wrestling through his wife and ripper Collins.

Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.

In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.

Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week. 

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@wrestlingobserver.com or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • TMZ has a story on WWE continuing to tape going forward. It includes notes in a memo WWE sent to talent and staff about the precautions they’re taking amid the coronavirus pandemic. Everyone will have their temperature taken before entering the door, and everyone is encouraged to wear face masks except for when cameras are rolling.
  • NXT UK posted a message from Sid Scala today and tweeted: “Starting this Thursday, get ready to take a look back at the greatest #NXTUK moments and matches. PLUS, you’ll get to hear from the talented Superstars involved.”
  • Triple H responded to a question from Sports Illustrated about the AEW vs. NXT ratings war: “I’m a believer in the long-term game. You create the right product, and over time, people will find it. I think back to Monday nights years ago, and it looks different now, but there were periods of time when WWE was putting on much better shows and the content was much better, but we were still getting beat. We were not winning ‘the war,’ but we stayed true to who we were. If it’s a flash and it’s exciting at first but you can’t maintain it, then it loses that pizzazz. It’s long-term duration, for me, that’s how you win. I’ve been saying it since the beginning—I’m not concerned about those numbers week-to-week. It’s about trying to put out the best show you can every week.”
  • Drew McIntyre, Titus O’Neil, and Bubba Ray Dudley were on today’s episode of The Bump.
  • This week’s guest on After the Bell with Corey Graves will be Edge.
  • WWE added a ladder match between Johnny Nitro and Jeff Hardy that took place on the November 20, 2006 edition of Raw on their YouTube page.
  • The Big Show Show on Netflix is featured in their Top 10 list of programming.
  • WWE Shop released a “This is such good sh*t” T-shirt with the McBossman Firefly Fun House character.
  • “My Spy,” a movie starring Batista, will be released on Amazon Prime. It was originally supposed to be a theatrical release and had been released in theaters in Australia prior to the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Rhea Ripley says she is still in the United States. A report from PWInsider indicated that she was back in Australia due to visa issues.

Other Wrestling

  • AEW uploaded a promo featuring Cody talking about his involvement in the TNT title tournament.
  • Matt Hardy tweeted that he’ll be appearing on tonight’s Dynamite: “Exclusively from The Hardy Compound.. I respond to the DASTARDLY @IAmJericho after his comments towards me, The Elite & Vanguard 1.”
  • Jake Roberts told Wrestling Inc that he has been isolating in an Atlanta hotel since taking part in recent AEW tapings. He is expecting to stay there for another 3-4 weeks. 
  • Due to the coronavirus, Dragon Gate has canceled events through 5/6, including their Dead or Alive event that was to take place on 5/6.
  • Here is the trailer for next week’s Dark Side of the Ring, which focuses on Jimmy Snuka and the death of Nancy Argentino.

MMA

  • Rose Namajunas has pulled out of UFC 249, according to ESPN. She was originally scheduled to face Jessica Andrade in the co-main event.
  • USADA issued a statement on testing for UFC 249: “With all consideration to athlete safety and logistical challenges, we’re going to do everything in our power to conduct UFC event testing. Just like the referees in the octagon, our doping control officers are an essential part of a fair fight.”
  • Israel Adesanya expressed interest in fighting on a private island.
  • Dustin Poirer and Dan Hooker have agreed to a match at 170 for a May 16 UFC event.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: WWE WrestleMania 34

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