Daily Update: Rusev, Drew McIntyre, Fozzy

DAILY UPDATE

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WON NEWSLETTER: Sweeping changes due to the coronavirus Dave Meltzer looks at how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting pro wrestling and MMA.

A detailed look at how the pro wrestling and MMA industry has changed in just one week is the subject of our in-depth lead story.

We cover:

Steps taken, made, executed, and constantly changed, from WWE, UFC, AEW and every other company. 

Which companies can afford the lockdown the best, and which companies are threatened the most.

WWE, why they chose to do WrestleMania now on tape, why the move made little sense. 

Why UFC was forced to shut down shows and the steps they took to avoid it.

What AEW said and what it actually meant. 

The dangers from doctors on doing shows right now. 

Latest ideas for WrestleMania, revenue lost by not doing the show now, just how fast decisions were changing, pro wrestling vs. MMA in an empty arena, styles vs. styles in an empty arena, what does and doesn’t work, ideas to make the show more entertaining, what is and isn’t finalized for WrestleMania, and update on other planned WWE events.

We also cover:

WWE training, who were brought to the WWE & AEW taping, what was said to those working there, Dana White’s memo to the staff, why UFC had it harder to keep shows going than pro wrestling, UFC’s economic realities, different reactions of talent about shows continuing, new dates for major shows, next shows on UFC schedule, ESPN plans, Japanese government reaction, updates on Japanese shows, XFL ending the season, how the first season leaves the XFL in its quest to make it, Bellator’s reaction, MLW’s reaction, Impact’s reaction, NWA’s reaction, Independent shows, WrestleCon, U.K. groups, Mexico and other U.S. indies.

AEW’s live television show, the in and out of character remarks, Cody and Tony Khan’ reactions, and show things were handled 

A look at the career of Jushin Liger, his historical status, his early career, his becoming the best wrestler in the world, his debut with the character, who was first pegged for the role, his debut with the gimmick, his U.S. arrival in WCW, his one MMA fight, and his list of credentials.

Why WWE stock hasn’t collapsed, Shane McMahon’s income, Michelle Wilson and George Barrios’ severance packages, update on The Revival, WWE threatens small group on a frivolous case, WWE legend selling his home, last several weeks of Canadian TV ratings, Jerry Lawler talks empty arena matches, latest WWE tryout, Sonya Deville talks storyline she wanted, as well as the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.

Full coverage of the UFC’s empty arena show in Brasilia, Brazil with the stories coming out of the show and match-by-match coverage.

A feature on the worst weekend in the history of the business when Chris Benoit murdered his wife and son.  We look at the Reelz television show that just came out covering the crime as well as a look at the Viceland story coming this week.  We talk about different theories, the death of Eddy Guerrero, CTE, steroids, xanax and more, WWE reaction, drug testing questions and problems and much more.

Regarding the Wednesday numbers, we’ve got full details, demos that each side won, how every segment did and what match ended up as the difference maker. 

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. 

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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Rusev posted a tweet today pledging to donate $20,000 to help support those in the extended WWE family who are sitting at home without income: “In Bulgaria we say ‘It’s not a lot but it’s from the heart’ I pledge 20,000$ to any of my WWE extended family that are sitting at home without income. WE can’t do it without y’all. Production, security, etc. LOVE YALL.”
  • Drew McIntyre spoke to TalkSport about working with Brock Lesnar and Jon Moxley’s previous criticism of Lesnar: “He’s the man. I don’t know what happened with Ambrose and their situation. He’s somebody that I’m friends with and I had so many great matches with, so I don’t know what happened there. But, in my experience, Brock has gone above and beyond to ensure I look as good as I can possibly look. I’m still trying to get over the fact that a few weeks ago that they pointed out that Ricochet gave me the assist at the Rumble, they ran me down on the microphone a little bit. Generally, Paul Heyman builds them up to sell the opponent for Brock’s match, but it was the opposite this time. Paul ran me down, almost like ‘wait a minute, are we worried about this guy?’ Then I walked out, looked Brock in the eye and dropped him three times. And, I’m sure you probably noticed, one of those kicks wasn’t necessarily planned! He went out of his way — he felt the crowd because that’s how good he is and I’m a professional. There were no physical cues so we just kept going. And I was like, ‘Wow, this guy is unbelievable’  and I’m glad I’m at a level where I can read him at the same time. We’re working together here and he’s more than willing to go overboard to make me look as good as possible and make me.”
  • In the second part of his TalkSport interview, McIntyre discussed why he thinks Edge vs. Randy Orton should main event night one of WrestleMania and his match against Brock Lesnar should main event night two.
  • Roman Reigns responded to the interview on Twitter: “Don’t care where my match falls. Just happy to be healthy and fit enough to participate. Grateful to share the ring with a legend and icon on our industry’s biggest night(s). As should everyone else, in a time like this. Be safe, healthy and grateful.”
  • Sports Illustrated and Metro also have interviews with McIntyre.
  • A new episode of WWE Day Of will be uploaded to the WWE Network on-demand section at 10 a.m. Eastern time this Friday. It will focus on the day of this year’s Elimination Chamber PPV.
  • WWE’s YouTube channel uploaded Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte Flair from SummerSlam 2016, Brock Lesnar vs. AJ Styles from Survivor Series 2017, Edge vs. The Undertaker from WrestleMania XXIV, and the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal from WrestleMania 30.

Other Wrestling

  • Fozzy’s spring tour of the United States has been rescheduled to the summer. It begins in July, ends in September, and still has no dates taking place on Wednesdays or Tuesdays.
  • Chris Jericho said about the rescheduling: “In light of the pandemic that’s gripping the world’s attention, it’s time to make the right move and postpone the April/May leg of ‘Save the World’ Tour for everyone’s safety and well being. However, we promise you, once the World is back on its axis and TRULY saved, Fozzy will be back to hold you in our loving arms and literally ROCK all your troubles away!! See everybody soon and in the meantime and between time, please stay healthy and safe. We will get through this together.”
  • Uproxx and Newsweek interviewed Jericho ahead of the premiere of Dark Side of the Ring season two.
  • The first round of Stardom’s Cinderella tournament streamed live for free on YouTube today. The full show for the one-night tournament is available on Stardom World.
  • The NWA is streaming their pop-up event from January 2019 on YouTube.
  • The NWA also uploaded a Q&A with Nick Aldis.

MMA

  • Dana White confirmed that Tyron Woodley vs. Leon Edwards and the UFC’s other fights that were affected by the coronavirus pandemic are being rescheduled.
  • Conor McGregor put out a coronavirus PSA urging Ireland to go into a true lockdown.
  • Justin Gaethje spoke about a potential fight against McGregor: “I think I have to look at the big picture whenever I think about it. I think me waiting to fight the winner of Khabib-Tony isn’t realistic. I think I will have to fight again. I think me and Conor need to fight each other to figure out the No. 1 contender. Outside of that, if I need to fight someone else to assure myself of the No. 1 contender’s spot and get the winner of that fight, I’ll do that. As long as that’s a sure thing.”
  • Stipe Miocic discussed the status of his trilogy fight against Daniel Cormier: “It’s looking like summer, but with this going on right now, honestly I’m not even worried about that. I’m worried about firefighting, and the paramedics out there and I got to do what I got to do. There’s so many people out there that need help. There’s people that are going to stay at home and some of them might get sick. I’m putting myself in harm’s way and I’m OK with that, but I’ve got to make sure when I’m home at the end of the day my family is OK.”
  • Paige VanZant is ready to start training after having her cast removed from her arm.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: WWF WrestleMania VII

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