Daily Update: Sinclair & Tribune, PROGRESS, weekend results

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

We’re looking for reports on these weekend shows:

  • WWE Raw from last night in Norfolk, VA
  • WWE Smackdown from last night in Greenville, NC
  • Evolve last night from Cicero, IL
  • WWE Raw tonight in Roanoke, VA
  • WWE Smackdown tonight in Florence, SC
  • Impact TV tapings tonight in Toronto
  • Progress today in Livonia, MI
  • Evolve today in Livonia, MI

        Reports from all of these shows can be sent to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

We’re also doing G-1 polls, we’re looking for your thoughts on all three shows at Budokan Hall, with thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match for all three individual shows to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

We’re also looking for your thoughts on best match of the tournament and tournament MVP to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

The go-home Raw for SummerSlam is Monday in Greensboro. As of one week ago, Brock Lesnar was scheduled on this show, but he is not advertised on it right now at we haven’t had it confirmed since last week. A three-way for the tag titles with the B Team defending against Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt and The Revival is set for the show. Smackdown has a house show on Monday night in Columbia, SC.

Impact also has TV tapings on Monday in Toronto with Brian Cage vs. Kongo Kong, Fenix & Pentagon Jr. vs. Trevor Lee & Caleb Konley, Rich Swann vs. Petey Williams and Josh Alexander vs. Matt Sydal.

Smackdown and 205 Live are taped on Tuesday night in Greenville, SC, with Cedric Alexander vs. Jack Gallagher in a non-title match and Lio Rush vs. Akira Tozawa both announced for the 205 Live show.

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Matt Riddle’s future starts to become clear

It may have been a bit delayed, but Matt Riddle signing with WWE seems all but inevitable at this point. Riddle dropping the EVOLVE Championship to Shane Strickland at EVOLVE 108 this past weekend is only the latest indication of that. When Riddle pulled out of OTT’s SummerSlam weekend shows in Ireland, Dave Meltzer reported that WWE had reconsidered its position on Riddle.

WON NEWSLETTER: (August 13, 2018)Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov to set records

A detailed rundown of WWE business is in the new issue of the Observer. Look at the company value; the WrestleMania quarter revenue, why profits are surprisingly low and why that really doesn’t matter right now, executive bonuses, profits for the first six months of the year, what is known about the WWE Network and actual WrestleMania ticket sales.

A look at the story behind the Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov fight and PPV prospects is the other lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer. Look at how McGregor showed that if you can draw giant money you can get away with almost anything. 

Also look at what the big advance ticket sale for ROH in Madison Square Garden shows. Look at what should have been expected, the ticket broker market for the show, how many tickets were sold first day, the last time MSG sold out for wrestling, the largest U.S. non-WWE gate in history, and the big picture on the show. 

Read about Glenn Jacobs winning the mayoral race in Knox County, TN, other pro wrestlers who have won public office election, and the Jacobs campaign.

Also look in detail on the All In show with the lineup, ways to watch, how the WGN deal came about and more.

Read more thoughts on the WWE television situation in 2019 including the idea of NXT moving to television, what is and isn’t planned about that and how to make it work, as well as a flaws in doing so.

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.

SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

We have two weekend shows up. For those who are not subscribers, I did what may be my only free show of the year, a 90 minute look into the MSG sellout, the situation with the key free agents and how all of their situations are different as well as Greg Gilleland of ROH’s comments about the future if they do lose the key guys, the story in detail of how Impact lost Spike and Destination America.

Also, Bryan & I have already done our weekend show, covering G-1 as well a the latest news. We will be back tomorrow night with a new show after Raw.

Here is a story on the Sinclair/Tribune merger falling through. (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)

Progress from Thursday night in Seattle before a sellout 665 fans: TK Cooper b Eddie Dennis, James Drake & Zack Gibson b Mike Santiago & Ethan HD, Brody King b Elliot exton, Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate & Trent Seven b Rey Hours & Bandido & Flamita, Mark Andrews won over King Khash, Flash Morgan Webster and Artemis Spencer, Chris Brookes & Jonathan Gresham b David Starr & Jack Sexsmith, Walter b Jimmy Havoc to keep Progress title.

Progress from yesterday in Summit, IL: Jimmy Havoc b Mark Andrews,Tyler Bate b TK Cooper, Jinny & James Drake & Zack Gibson b Darby Allin & Jack Sexmith & Toni Storm, Pete Dunne b Flash Morgan Webster, Brody King won over Elliot Sexton and Matt Riddle and Trent Seven, Bandido & Flamita b AR Fox & Chris Brookes to win the tag titles, Walter b Eddie Dennis to keep the Progress title. Mixed tag and UK title match were excellent and British Strong Style had long merchandise lines, as did Toni Storm. (thanks to Dave Gould)

WWE

  • The Brooklyn Cyclones have a SummerSlam Night on Thursday at MCU Park as part of their game that night. Big Show, Mark Henry, Ember Moon and Dana Warrior are scheduled to attend.

OTHER

  • Bad Luck Fale has been announced for the 8/18 Melbourne City Wrestling show, which is that company’s biggest show ever.
  • New tickets have just been released for the show Bryan and I are doing in Chicago at All In weekend. The original tickets sold out instantly. New tickets are available here.
  • Wrestling Go from Friday night in Sydney, Australia before 100 fans: Diego b Cat Sabre Jr., Bee Boy b Dolph Finn, Tree Hugger Luchi won three-way over Kai Drake and Jack Pain, Gatt b Nikki Van Blair, Art of Destruction b Cesar & Mr. Christmas, Alex Irvine b Dean Draven, Big Fidge b Silvio Milano, Ricky South won three-way over Matty Wahlberg and Dalton Castle. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
  • Wrestle Go from last night in Sydney, Australia: Roswell b Nikki Van Blair, Dean Draven & Jackson Spade b Scotty Haim & Alex Irvine, JasonDewhusrt b Silvio Milano, Fulton won three-way over Lee Morrow and Osama Hussein, Dalton Castle NC Gatt, Dalton Castle & Gatt & Bee Boy b Massive Q & Roswell & Fulton.
  • PWA from last night in Sydney, Australia: Mikey Broderick b Mat Diamond, Concrete Davidson & Big Fudge b Kai Drake & Tree Hugger Luchi, Jessica Troy b Bel Pierce, Unsocial Jordan won four-way over Adam Hoffman, Jax Jordan and Michael Spencer, Bea Priestley b Ricky South, Mick Moretti & Jack Bonza b Jude London & Paris De Silva, Madison Eagles b Shazza McKenzie, Robbie Eagles b Will Ospreay (several reports were from people who said this was the best match they had ever seen live, and Dan Lennard who has been part of the Australia scene forever said it was one of the best live matches he’d ever seen and Ospreay’s selling of the knee was so good that most fans and fellow wrestlers believed he had blown out his knee), Cageman Ugg b Jonah Rock in a cage match to win the PWA title. The finish was a moonsault off the top of the cage. (thanks to Kevin Chiat and Dan Lennard)
  • A correction regarding Vanessa Kraven. On a radio show this week I said she was from Ontario. While she was trained by Ron Hutchison in Toronto she’s actually from Montreal and started with NCW and worked all over the province and is the current Femmes Fatales champion, which is the only all-women’s promotion in Canada.
  • XICW DBA announced a 9/16 show in Detroit at the Masonic Temple, a concert hall with DBA vs. MM3, a father son match in a cage plus Jimmy Jacobs vs. Kongo Kong. Abyss and Simon Grimm are also on the show.
  • Hoosier Pro Wrestling on 9/1 in Columbus, IN at the 4-H Fairgrounds headlined by Flash Flanagan.
  • Defy from Friday night in Seattle before a sellout 697 fans: Tyler Bate & Trent Seven b Mike Santiago & Ethan HD, Artemis Spencer b King Khash, Randy Myers b Jimmy Havoc, Shane Strickland b Brian Cage to keep the Defy title, Walter b Schaff to keep the Progress title, Toni Storm b Nicole Matthews, Pete Dunne b Brody King. Next Defy event in Seattle is 9/8 at Washington Hall.
  • Pro Wrestling Eve from last night in London, UK: Rhea O’Reilly b Sierra Loxton, Addy Star b Charli Evans, Viper b Kay Lee Ray, Laura DiMatteo b Zoe Lucas, Jamie Hayter & Jetta b Erin Angel & Session Moth Martina, Charlie Morgan b Kasey Owens. (thanks to Jake Koch)
  • Northeast Wrestling from last night in Bethany, CT: Adrenaline Rush b Cam Zagami & Robbie E to win tag titles in a no DQ match, Flip Gordon b Ultimo Guerrero, JT Dunn b Brian Anthony, Wrecking Ball Legursky b Chris Battle, Hale Collins b Jimmy Preston, Brad Hollister b Brian Milonas, RJ Rude & Zane Bernardo won three-way over PJ & Tommy Grayson and Dexter Loux & Mike Gamble, Christian Casanova b Hammer Tunis. (thanks to Nick Mahmood) 
  • Stardom from today at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo: Dust b Leo Onozaki, AZM & Konami b Shiki Shibuawa & Hanan, AZM & Konami b Hazuki & Natsu Sumire, Natsuko Tora & Kaori Yoneyama b AZM & Konaomi, Tam Nakano & Starlight Kid b Natsuko Tora & Kaori Yoneyama, Utami Hayashishita d Jungle Kyona 15:00 (this was Hayashishita’s first match. She had her first lesson in March and people are raving about her) , Momo Watanabe b Saki Kashima to keep the Wonder of Stardom title, Kagetsu b Mayu Iwatani to keep the World of Stardom title. (thanks to Jake Koch)
  • Stardom has already put Utami’s debut on Stardom World.
  • CZW from last night in Voorhees, NJ: Johnny Sliver b Myron Reed, The Rep b Francis Kip Stevens & Fallah Bahh, Jordan Oliver b KC Navarro, Alex Reynolds b Trent Barretta, Anthony Greene b Joey Ryan, Conor Claxton & Brandon Kirk b Mance Warner & Mitch Vallenm, Rickey Shane Page b Dan O’Hare in a match with blood, barbed wire, staple guns and ladders. Next show is 9/8 at the Colossal Sports Academy.

Daily Professional Wrestling History: Okada vs. Omega III

12th Annual F4W Empire Vegas Convention

Greetings friends and fans of the F4W / Wrestling Observer website. The 12th annual F4W / Wrestling Observer Empire Las Vegas Convention~! is just around the corner.

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 Granny’s Doubles Match Classic! Already booked for the show are the teams Mia Yim & Leva Bates, Shotzi Blackheart & Sage Sin, Samantha Heights & Brittany Blake, and Miranda Alize & Kylie Rae. Also just booked for the show is a tag team Grappling Battel~! featuring Bryan Alvarez & ??? vs. The Beach Bums (PeachMachine & Mikey G), You won’t want to miss this show! Check out the convention’s Facebook page for all additional information.

CONTACT INFORMATION