Daily Update: SmackDown & 205 Live, BOSJ results, Io Shirai

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: WWE cashes in on TV rights boom

The company appears set to cash in on the live sports television rights boom they’ve been banking on since before their last deal with NBC Universal was agreed to in 2014. The Hollywood Reporter first reported on May 16th that the USA Network would likely be retaining Raw, with NBC Universal paying as much as three times more for the show than they did previously, which would equate to somewhere around $240 million annually. But in prioritizing Raw, it meant that SmackDown would be shopped around to other suitors.

WON NEWSLETTER: May 28, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWE making massive money for TV deals, more

The two biggest stories from an industry business perspective broke on consecutive days, the WWE deal with FOX and the UFC deal with ESPN. This issue has the most detailed coverage of both stories you’ll find anywhere, from the money, what the money means to both sides, what the deals entail, how this changes things for both companies and much more.

Look at Jimmy Pitaro’s thoughts on UFC to ESPN, the aging of the UFC and WWE audience, is UFC really the youngest skewing sport, the good and bad of the ESPN deal, the value of the WWE and its stock, Vince McMahon’s personal value with the stock, the timing and why these deals came in the way they did, value of streaming vs. television, the archaic pay structure in WWE, and the difference in television hours of WWE and UFC going forward with the new deals.

Read about the big shows upcoming, New Japan at the Cow Palace, All In, NXT Chicago, Money in the Bank and SummerSlam with a lesson on ticket sales, the secondary market and where people are coming from who are attending these shows.

Check out the angle this past week that could lead to one of the biggest matches in the history of Mexican wrestling, L.A. Park vs. Rush in a mask vs. hair match. 

This issue updates the plans for PPV shows and time running with the latest changes made, an update on the legal situation with C.M. Punk and Dr. Christopher Amann. Look at the idea of other groups streaming on WWE Network and the latest talk on it. 

Read the plans for a WWE summer tournament, Dwayne Johnson’s latest business, movies with wrestlers, Cena & Nikki Bella, More WWE injury updates, wrestlers returning to WWE, U.K. tournament first round matches, new WWE signing, next MSG card, Mauro Ranallo news, TV ratings in the U.K., most-watched shows for the week on WWE Network, as well as a look at all the WWE & NXT live shows of the past week with match-by-match coverage and business notes.

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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • A dance-off between Naomi and Lana has been added to the lineup for tonight’s SmackDown. The show will be headlined by Daniel Bryan facing Samoa Joe in a Money in the Bank qualifying match. This is the first time they’ve faced each other in WWE and their first match against each other since they were in ROH in 2006. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tye Dillinger and The New Day vs. The Miz, Cesaro & Sheamus are also set.
  • Joe referenced his past with Bryan in a tweet today: “I’ve slayed this dragon before. #SmackDown”
  • A Cruiserweight Championship match will also be taking place at the tapings in Raleigh, with Cedric Alexander defending the title against Buddy Murphy on tonight’s 205 Live.
  • Raw ratings are delayed this week due to Memorial Day and aren’t expected to be released until Wednesday. SmackDown ratings should be released on Thursday. Raw had tough competition from game seven of the Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets in the NBA Western Conference finals and the Las Vegas Golden Knights vs. Washington Capitals in the opening game of the Stanley Cup finals. Warriors vs. Rockets averaged 14.8 million viewers, while the hockey game averaged 5.27 million on TV and digital platforms.
  • The opponent for Nia Jax’s “exhibition” on Raw last night was independent wrestler and former OVW Women’s Champion Madi Maxx.
  • Last night’s Main Event tapings had Mojo Rawley defeating No Way Jose and Tony Nese beating Akira Tozawa.
  • John Cena praised Velveteen Dream and EC3 during a Q&A session at MegaCon last week.
  • NXT has announced four West Coast house shows for the end of July. They’ll be in San Diego, California on July 26th, Riverside, California on the 27th, Las Vegas, Nevada on the 28th, and Phoenix, Arizona on the 29th.
  • Charlotte Flair and Natalya both reflected on today being the fourth anniversary of Charlotte’s Women’s Championship win against Natalya at NXT TakeOver.
  • Charlotte: “I’ve said this a million times but this match gave me the confidence to be where I am today. @NatbyNature @WWENXT home grown.”
  • Natalya: “That was such a special match to me! One of my all time favorites to this day with one of my all time favorite opponents @MsCharlotteWWE! It was so special and sentimental…. and it reminds me of just how special #NXT is to me.”
  • Edge reunited with Vickie Guerrero to film material for the second season of the Edge & Christian Show.
  • Topped by Seth Rollins’ title win at WrestleMania 31, WWE.com ranked all 19 Money in the Bank cash-ins in history.

Pro Wrestling

  • Here are quick results from this morning’s Best of the Super Juniors show:
    Will Ospreay defeated Yoshinobu Kanemaru
    Yoh defeated Flip Gordon
    BUSHI defeated ACH
    Taiji Ishimori defeated Tiger Mask IV
    Ospreay, Ishimori, Gordon, and Tiger Mask IV currently have six points. Everyone else in the block has four points.
  • Io Shirai’s departure from Stardom has been confirmed, with her last match for the promotion scheduled for Korakuen Hall on June 17th. Tokyo Sports first reported that Shirai would be leaving Stardom for WWE.
  • The trial for Dr. Chris Amann’s defamation lawsuit against CM Punk and Colt Cabana began today. Gregory Pratt, a City Hall reporter for the Chicago Tribute, was there for some of it and posted notes on Twitter, including that Amann’s lawyer went through tweets calling for Amann to be fired and news articles about the podcast in question. The entire podcast was also played for jurors.
  • Going by the name “Real1,” Enzo Amore directly addressed his release from WWE and the rape allegation from last October that led to it for the first time in a rap video. The song is called “Phoenix,” a reference to Amore breaking his silence and the city where the allegation was made. Amore also had a meet-up with fans in Times Square last night.
  • Rich Swann will face Fenix at Impact Wrestling’s TV tapings in Windsor on Saturday.
  • Kenny Omega (and the voice of Xavier Woods) appeared in the trailer for Mayor Cody Travers being announced as a playable character for Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition.
  • The Courier in Dundee, Scotland published an article about David Low, the owner of Scottish Wrestling Entertainment, and his battle with the city council over pro wrestling regulations.

UFC/MMA

Daily Professional Wrestling History: Charlotte wins NXT Women’s 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, Hudson Envy & 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