Daily Update: Royal Rumble, WWE UK, O’Reilly interview

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

We’re looking for reports from the WWE show tonight in Hobbs, NM and the NXT show tonight in Dallas, TX to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

Our weekend polls will be for the NXT show in San Antonio, the Five Star show in Dundee, Scotland and the Royal Rumble, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle for all three shows to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

NEW JAPAN WORLD PRO WRESTLING ON AXS TV AT 8 P.M. EASTERN FROM THE TOKYO DOME

  • Will Ospreay & Yoshi-Hashi & Jado vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Bad Luck Fale & Adam Page
  • Winner vs. Seiya Sanada & Evil & Bushi
  • Winner vs. Satoshi Kojima & Ricochet & David Finlay for Never trios titles
  • Katsuyori Shibata vs. Hirooki Goto for Never Open weight title

EVOLVE AT 9 P.M. EASTERN FROM THE WOODLAWN LAKE PARK GYM IN SAN ANTONIO ON FLO SLAM

  • Chris Dickinson vs. Darby Allin
  • Jaka vs. Peter Kaasa
  • Dustin vs. Jason Kincaid
  • Matt Riddle vs. ACH
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ethan Page
  • Tracy Williams & Fred Yehi vs. Timothy Thatcher & Jeff Cobb for tag titles
  • Chris Hero vs. Keith Lee

BELLATOR TONIGHT AT 9 P.M. EASTERN ON SPIKE TV FROM MULVANE, KANSAS

  • Jessica Middleton (1-0, 126) vs. Alice Yauger (4-4, 125.7)
  • A.J. McKee (6-0, 145.6) vs. Brandon Phillips (6-2, 146.8)
  • Dave Rickels (17-4, 2 no contests, 170.3) vs. Aaron Derrow (14-8, 169.8)
  • Melvin Guillard (32-16-2, 3 no contests, 178.1) vs. Chidi Njokuani (16-4, 1 no contest, 179.7)

CMLL LIVE FROM ARENA MEXICO AT 9:30 P.M. EASTERN

  • Stukita & Shockercito vs. Demus 3:16 & Mercurio
  • Marcela & Princesa Sugei & Vaquerita vs. Dallys & Zeuxis & Amapola
  • Blue Panther & Blue Panther Jr. & The Panther vs. Mascara Ano 2000 & Sanson & Cuatrero
  • Marco Corleone & Maximo Sexy & Diamante Azul vs. Raymond Rowe & Rush & Pierroth
  • Mephisto vs. Caristico for CMLL middleweight title
  • Mistico & Volador Jr. & Dragon Lee vs. Ultimo Guerrero & Gran Guerrero & Cavernario Barbaro

For Saturday, we’re looking for reports on the Five Star show from Dundee, Scotland, WWE Raw in Abilene, TX and WWE Smackdown in San Angelo, TX to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

EVOLVE ON SATURDAY AT 3 P.M. EASTERN TIME AT THE WOODLAWN LAKE PARK GYM IN SAN ANTONIO ON FLO SLAM

  • Chris Dickinson & Jake vs. Sammy Guevara & Jason Kincaid
  • Tracy Williams vs. Laredo Kid
  • Fred Yehi vs. ACH
  • Matt Riddle vs. Dustin
  • Timothy Thatcher vs.. Jeff Cobb for Evolve title
  • Chris Hero vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

UFC ON SATURDAY NIGHT FROM DENVER

Fight Pass at 4 p.m. Eastern time

  • J.C. Cottrell (17-4, 155.8) vs. Jason Gonzalez (10-3, 156) 
  • Eric Shelton (10-2, 125.8) vs. Alexander Pantoja (10-2, 126)

FS 1 at 5 p.m. Eastern time

  • Marcos Rogerio de Lima (14-4-1, 209.6) vs. Jeremy Kimball (14-5, 204)
  • Alessio DiChirico (10-1, 185.6) vs. Eric Spicely (9-1, 185.8)
  • Luis Henrique da Silva (12-1, 205.8) vs. Jordan Johnson (6-0, 205)
  • Li Jingliang (11-4, 170.4) vs. Bobby Nash (8-1, 170.8)
  • Raphael Assuncao (23-5, 135.4) vs. Aljamain Sterling (12-1, 135.8)
  • Sam Alvey (29-8, 185.6) vs. Nate Marquardt (35-16-2, 185.6)

FOX at 8 p.m. Eastern time

  • Alex Caceres (12-9, 145) vs. Jason Knight (15-2, 145.6)
  • Andrei Arlovski (25-13, 246) vs. Francis Ngannou (9-1, 253.6)
  • Donald Cerrone (32-7, 170.8) vs. Jorge Masvidal (31-11, 171)
  • Julianna Pena (8-2, 135) vs. Valentina Shevchenko (13-2, 134.4)

de Lima was fined 20 percent of his purse, which will go to Kimball, for missing weight

NXT TAKEOVER ON SATURDAY NIGHT AT 8 P.M. EASTERN FROM SAN ANTONIO’S FREEMAN COLISEUM

  • Roderick Strong vs. Andrade Cien Almas
  • Tye Dillinger vs. Eric Young
  • Asuka vs. Peyton Royce vs. Billie Kay vs. Nikki Cross for the women’s title
  • Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano vs. Authors of Pain for tag titles
  • Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Bobby Roode for NXT title

ROYAL RUMBLE IS SUNDAY FROM THE ALAMODOME IN SAN ANTONIO

Right now we don’t know when the first match goes into the ring, but probably between 5:30 and 6 p.m. Eastern time

  • Nia Jax vs. Sasha Banks (preshow match)
  • Becky Lynch & Nikki Bella & Naomi vs. Mickie James & Alexa Bliss & Natalya (preshow match)
  • Sheamus & Cesaro vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson with 2 referees for Raw tag team title (preshow match)
  • Rich Swann vs. Neville for cruiserweight title
  • Charlotte vs. Bayley for Raw women’s title
  • A.J. Styles vs. John Cena for WWE title
  • Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns no DQ with Chris Jericho in a shark cage above the ring for Universal title
  • 30 man Royal Rumble

Monday will be Raw in Laredo, TX for what is likely to be one of the highest rated episodes of the show this year. Brock Lesnar is advertised. Bill Goldberg is not advertised for the show and as of right now is not booked on the show. There will also be a Smackdown house show in Hidalgo, TX.

Smackdown and 205 Live will be taped on Tuesday in Corpus Christi, TX.

There will also be another NXT TV taping at Full Sail University on Wednesday, starting the build for the WrestleMania show in Orlando.

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 1/23/2017: Previewing the unpredictable Royal Rumble

Whatever your feelings are on WWE inevitably using part-timers to boost another WrestleMania season, it’s undeniable that their inclusion has added intrigue to the 2017 Royal Rumble. Suggesting otherwise would be presenting alternative facts. Even with their limited presence on television, Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, and The Undertaker have added a level of unpredictably — even if it’s only perceived — to next Sunday’s show at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas that hasn’t been matched in recent years… Subscribers click here to continue.

WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: January 30, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Royal Rumble preview, part 2 of Jimmy Snuka bio, plus tons of news

A look at WWE plans that are locked in place, and other plans up in the air, related to WrestleMania, and how the Royal Rumble, Fast Lane and Elimination Chamber fit in is the lead story in the new double-sized of the Wrestling Observer.

There is also a major feature on the life of Jimmy Snuka, his growing up, full career, career records, the Nancy Argentino death case and reaction to his death. Plus, check out the 2016 win/loss records of all WWE talent, why Tito Ortiz is so important in MMA history, and Fantastica Mania coverage as well as notes on future major events around the world.

A look at the most loaded Royal Rumble match in years, and how all the top names figure into WrestleMania leads the news. Read about what the Mania matches say, ticket sale news from the Rumble and NXT Takeover, and where things go from there.

Have a look at Pentagon Jr., Daga and Garza Jr. leaving AAA and how many questions that asks. This includes the situation with Sexy Star, big questions facing Lucha Underground, the attempt to build The Crash promotion into a force in Mexico, notes on Lucha Underground contracts, exactly where this all stemmed from and why talent was unhappy with AAA, the Lucha Underground move that makes everything even more questionable, and how this relates to the bigger picture of wrestling all over the world right now.

Click here for full preview.

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.

WON BACK ISSUE: January 3, 2000 Goldberg injured after car window stunt goes wrong, tons of news

It appears that Bill Goldberg will be out of the ring somewhere in the neighborhood of ten to 15 weeks as the word going around within the company but others are optimistically saying it’ll be closer to six weeks. The actual blow which cut up Goldberg’s arm did air on television which was an elbow shot into the window of the limo that didn’t break the first few times… Subscribers click here to continue.

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

We’ll be doing radio shows on Saturday night after the UFC & NXT shows, Sunday night after Rumble and Monday night.

The tryout match with the NXT women’s four-way done last night in Houston was not good. Both the crowd didn’t get into it and it was a sloppy match. They will likely be working it again tonight in Dallas to get ready for Sunday.

Pete Dunne, Mark Andrews and Trent Seven are all working on Sunday for Progress Wrestling at their show in London at the Electric Ballroom. They had been pulled from a show in London as well as a podcast the day before. We were told that five of the wrestlers in the U.K. tournament were being brought to San Antonio this weekend including the final four. So that looks to have changed. Tyler Bate is not listed for anything this weekend in the U.K. Dunne defends his Progress title against Jimmy Havoc in the main event.

Tonight’s Arena Mexico show is deeper than usual with Ray Rowe from ROH appearing as well as everyone back from Japan. The main event looks great on paper and there’s also a Mephisto vs. Caristico title match.

Rizin announced today that Antonio Inoki will be part of the promotion. He will appear at the shows and help promote the events.

Kyle O’Reilly speaks to Rolling Stone about where he stands and his future.

WWE

  • WWE will be taping one week of NXT programming tomorrow night before they go on the air, at about 7 p.m. in San Antonio.
  • As of a few days ago, Jason Jordan & Chad Gable, even though tag team champions, had not been told they were in the Rumble.
  • Nikki Bella has been named Executive Producer of Total Divas going forward.
  • An article on the women’s division is here. (thanks to Lee Wall)
  • WWE has moved the women’s six man match on Sunday’s Royal Rumble show to the preshow. Given the main show is four hours and has five matches, that would indicate maybe a surprise segment, as well as very long matches.
  • Mada Abdelhamid, who was on the last season of Tough Enough in 2014, has quit the promotion. He had done a few promos but wasn’t figured into anything in NXT and had yet to be used on television.
  • The Los Angeles Times has some interviews with WWE talent
    Dean Ambrose talks about being overlooked in WWE’s Royal Rumble.
    Bayley discusses facing Charlotte at the Royal Rumble on Sunday.
  • A story on Seth Rollins where he talks about his return from an injury is here.
  • A.J. Styles talks to Sporting News about his first year in WWE, the Royal Rumble, chemistry with John Cena, possibly extending his career and more.

UFC

  • Two of UFC’s ranked flyweights, Ali Bagautinov and Zach Makovsky, are no longer on the active roster. In both cases, their contracts have expired and were not renewed.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Kurt Angle has been pulled out of appearing at WrestleCon over WrestleMania weekend.
  • AAA tapes television tomorrow night in Toluca, Mexico, with El Hijo de Fantasma & El Texano Jr. & Psycho Clown headlining against Dr Wagner Jr & Mesias & Pagano, plus Angelico & Australian Suicide & ? vs. Zorro & Dark Cuervo & Dark Scoria.
  • Baja Stars USA on 2/25 in San Diego has L.A. Park & El Hijo de L.A. Park vs. Damian 666 & Extreme Tiger
  • There is a show in McAllen, TX on Sunday at Famoso Club Fuego with Mistico & Drago Rojo Jr. vs. Maximo Sexy & Shocker.
  • UIPW runs the Clela Arena in Los Angeles on 2/5 with Brian Cage & Misterio Negro & Shamu Jr. vs. Misterioso Jr. & Enigma & Acero Dorado.
  • Jason Agnew of Live Audio Wrestling is hosting a wrestling themed comedy show called Rumble Strikes plus Nug Nahragang of Sportsnet Aftermath, indie wrestler R.J. City and Santino Marella tonight a 10:30 p.m. at the Comedy Bar in Toronto at 945 Bloor Street West. 
  • Bellator’s Alexander Shlemenko got permission to do a 3/3 show for M-1 Challenge in Russia, where he’ll be facing Paul Bradley, a former UFC & Bellator fighter who wrestled at Iowa. 
  • National Wrasslin League from last night in St. Louis: Boulder & Spike b Tommy Flagg & August Marshall, Maverick b Cal Stark, Cornell Douglass b Dominick Butler, Davey Gibson & Matthew Grundy b Adam Ryan & Jackie Lee Bosch, Todd Letterman b Skyler Beckett, Jay Lutz b Christian Adonis, Coco rumble & Dez Wellston b Marcellus Gaines & Clayton Fox (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
  • Penta El Zero M (Pentagon Jr.) vs. AR Fox has been added to the 2/4 AAW show in LaSalle, IL at the Knights of Columbus.
  • Border City Wrestling on 3/25 in Windsor, ONT at St. Clair College Gym with Hornswoggle, Billy Gunn, Shane Douglas, Colt Cabana and Moose. 
  • Great North Wrestling on 5/13 at the Smiths Falls Memorial Center in Hawkesbury, ONT with Wes Brisco, Hannibal and more.
  • Gouge wrestling tomorrow in Fuquay Varnia, NC at the Draft Line Brewing Company.
  • A pro wrestler’s look at pain management is here.

F4W / WO EMPIRE WRESTLEMANIA GROUP INFO

BUS INFO:

  • The Empire bus to WrestleMania will cost $50.00 and will be round trip from Rosen Inn at 9000 International Drive 32819 (a few blocks away from Wrestlcon).
  • The bus will leave at 4pm (time subject to change) for WrestleMania and will leave WrestleMania no later then one hour after the show. If you would like a seat email Ed at f4wfan@hotmail.com or message him on the BOARD~! for Paypal payment instructions

DINNER INFO:

  • WHAT: Dinner at Texas de Brazil
  • WHEN: Friday March 31st
  • WHERE: 5259 International Dr Ste F1, Orlando, FL 32819 at 5 p.m. (they may open at 4:30 for us)
  • WHO: All your best empire buddies
  • DETAILS: The cost of the dinner will be $68.00 which includes the dinner, salad bar, soft drinks and tea, and dessert, tax and tip. This is a pre pay dinner and you can send payment to paypal at Srjaialaiot@yahoo.com (please send as a gift to a friend). Payments must be made by March 24th (if you wait until after that, Ed will charge an extra $5.00 for being a pain).

Today in Professional Wrestling History (1/27): Royal Rumble 2008 at MSG

CONTACT INFORMATION

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