Daily Update: SmackDown, GFW World title, Mir to Bellator

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FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: Figure Four Weekly 8/7/2017: Looking at Kota Ibushi’s G1 reintroduction

As this summer’s G1 Climax begins to wind down for New Japan Pro Wrestling, so does a stretch of matches that has further reminded everyone that Kota Ibushi is one of the absolute best professional wrestlers in the world. While that isn’t a surprising development, it was a necessary one after Ibushi’s relatively quiet last two years in pro wrestling.

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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: August 14, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Takayama paralyzed, WWE financials examined, tons more

It’s a double issue this week, with extensive coverage of the WWE business, breaking it down in every category, the sad story about the paralysis of Yoshihiro Takayama, G-1 coverage, SummerSlam weekend notes, and even Hall of Fame news.

Our lead story looks at the injury and the new life of Yoshihiro Takayama, going back to the May spot where he became paralyzed, his most famous matches, his career, the Don Frye fight and his big matches during the heyday of Pro Wrestling NOAH.

Our WWE business report looks in more detail than anywhere about the quarterly numbers. Look at how the network did so far this year compared to the past few years and how the different gimmicks played out, the difference in profitability of the network vs. PPV, the exact numbers of cancellations this year as compared to the past, the remaining WWE PPV business, real attendance figures for WrestleMania, social media numbers, sponsorship numbers, where the revenue comes from, and breaking down every single revenue stream.

Look at WrestleMania business, what parts of the business are up or down, the costs and revenues per episode of Total Divas, the reality vs. fantasy of the decline in television ratings, the house show business for WWE and NXT, comparing the last two WrestleManias as well as the movie studio numbers.

There is in-depth coverage of G-1, looking at this year’s booking, the updated standings, star ratings and business notes for every show this past week, thoughts on how to change G-1 for the better next year, the Sumo Hall cards, future fall title matches, the injury to Evil and the best matches of the tournament so far.

Inside is an update on SummerSlam and NXT, as well as the ticket situation for SummerSlam weekend, WWE injuries and show length.

Check out Brock Lesnar’s post-SummerSlam schedule, the Horsewomen vs. Horsewomen angle, WWE TV deal in South Africa, Rey Mysterio’s next contract, SummerSlam viewing parties, Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly updates, and a Bruno Sammartino update.

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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: July 24, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: ECW Heatwave review, wrestling business uncertainty, more

While a hot PPV show and an impromptu brawl in the middle of the show stole the headlines, in the big scheme of things, with the future of the company at stake, those were only minor issues. After five years of the biggest boom period in the history of this industry, pro wrestling, ironically, like so many industries in this ever changing world, has never been faced with so much uncertainty

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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

By Joseph Currier and Bryan Rose

WWE

  • Providence, Rhode Island hosts SmackDown’s go-home show for SummerSlam tonight. There will be a Jinder Mahal vs. John Cena non-title match and Natalya will face Becky Lynch. AJ Styles apologizing to Shane McMahon for accidentally hitting him with a Pele kick last week is also advertised, along with Breezango returning to “Fashion Peaks” for one final investigation.
  • 205 Live has a segment with Akira Tozawa celebrating his Cruiserweight Championship win from Raw, which seems likely to set up Neville challenging for the title at SummerSlam. Tozawa defending against Neville is listed on WWE’s lineup of the pay-per-view.
  • Mike Kanellis posted a message on Instagram about overcoming an addiction to prescription drugs. He wrote that he kept the problem from everyone and it has haunted him for three years after dislocating his kneecap. Kanellis noted that the addiction started to spiral out of control over the last year and a half until he decided that he couldn’t keep hurting his wife and himself in this way. He said that he was sharing the message as a symbol of hope to anyone else battling addiction issues.
  • It was announced at Raw last night that WWE would be returning to the TD Garden in Boston on December 17th for Clash of Champions. That will be a SmackDown brand PPV. Tickets are on sale with the pre-sale code “CHAMPIONS.”
  • Paige said that she hopes to return to TV within the next couple of months and that she still needs to be cleared by WWE doctors.
  • Seth Rollins discussed Ric Flair’s influence in pro wrestling while appearing on SportsCenter today.
  • Dolph Ziggler wrote about what Flair means to him in an article for Sports Illustrated.
  • Brie Bella told E! News that she hopes to get back into the ring at some point in 2018.
  • Braun Strowman, Big Cass, and Alexa Bliss presented Aaron Judge with a customized version of the WWE Championship at Yankee Stadium today in honor of his Home Run Derby win.
  • Tommaso Ciampa tweeted Johnny Gargano a message on his birthday yesterday.

Pro Wrestling

  • After being stripped of the GFW Unified World Championship yesterday, Alberto El Patron released a statement on Instagram. He claimed that being stripped of the title was his idea and that the sides came to an agreement that works best for both parties.
  • Bruce Prichard will make an announcement about what’s next for the World title at Destination X on Thursday night.
  • The Crash posted on their Twitter that they would be taping footage for GFW on September 2nd.
  • Brandon Howard has an article for Fightful.com analyzing this year’s G1 Climax from a business perspective. Total attendance for the 19 shows was 80,639 people, up from 74,383 in 2016. The estimated gate for the final night at Sumo Hall was $1.3 million, also up from an estimated $850,000 the last two years.
  • Tommy Dreamer announced on Facebook that the August 26th House of Hardcore show in Geneva, Illinois had been cancelled, saying “All tickets will be refunded. Legally I can not comment on this matter. Thank you all for your continued support.”
  • PROGRESS Wrestling will be running shows in New Orleans on April 6th and 7th during WrestleMania week next year.
  • Austin Aries wrote about an eventual return to the ring: “The next brainbuster I hit is going to feel so sweet…”
  • WSOC TV in Charlotte, North Carolina ran a story on Magnum TA being denied entry to Disney’s Magical Kingdom because it was deemed the Segway that he was using presented a safety concern.

UFC/MMA

  • Ariel Helwani reported that Frank Mir has agreed to a deal with Bellator MMA and that the signing is expected to be announced in the coming days.
  • The Boston Globe reported that Rondel Clark, 26, died early this morning after competing in an MMA bout in Plymouth, Massachusetts. He had lost the bout by a third round technical knockout and was taken to a hospital following a post-fight examination. The state’s athletic commission, as well as local and state police are investigating the death.
  • Daniel Cormier appeared on the MMA Hour yesterday to discuss his UFC 214 loss to Jon Jones.
  • Duke Roufus revealed that Anthony Pettis will face Dustin Poirier at UFC Fight Night in Norfolk on November 11th.
  • The Association of Ringside Physicians asked the Nevada Athletic Commission to exercise caution when deciding whether to reduce the glove size for Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather.

Today in Pro Wrestling History: Randy Orton wins World title at SummerSlam 2004

F4W Online / Wrestling Observer Vegas Convention Event Info

August 17-21; All times are TBA; Full information on the group Facebook page; Activities subject to change

For ticketing information go to https://f4wvegas.brownpapertickets.com/

  • Thursday: Meet at the High Roller for Bowling at the Link; Party at Carnival Court at Hurrah’s
  • Friday: Kiss Mini Golf tournament at the Rio; Dinner at Texas de Brazil; Suite party (location TBA)
  • Saturday: Future Stars of Wrestling show featuring Disco Inferno, Stephan Bonnar, Phil Baron, Shotzi Blackheart, and co-main events: 3-way match with Leva Bates vs. Mia Yim vs. Hudson Envy, and “Filthy” Tom Lawlor vs. Thomas Santell (f.k.a. Antonio “The Promise” Thomas); NXT viewing party at the Sci-Fi Center
  • Sunday: SUPER CHINA BUFFET DAY at the Wicked Spoon Buffet at 1pm; SummerSlam viewing party at the Sci-Fi Center
  • Monday: Goodbye lunch at Chen Chen at NY NY
  • All website members will also receive a 15% discount on any purchases from the Las Vegas Fight Shop for the entirety of the convention

Texas de Brazil, Wicked Spoon, NXT and Summer Slam will all be sign up and pre-paid events, prices and collection begin in mid July~!

Pro Wrestling Tees is now carrying our latest line of F4W shirts. Support the Empire~! Grab yours today!

CONTACT INFORMATION

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