Daily Update: SmackDown, Hardys vs. Bucks vs. RPG Vice, UFC news

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The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 3/6/2017: Bad booking disappoints at WWE Fastlane

Goldberg is one of WWE’s top champions in 2017. That it was a formality doesn’t make the reality of that sentence any less startling. Nearly 20 years after his peak in WCW, and over a decade after his first stint with WWE came to an end, Goldberg is going to main event WrestleMania. All of that was locked in when Goldberg defeated Kevin Owens to win the WWE Universal Championship at Fastlane. Predictably, the main event was a wrestling match in name only. Goldberg won with a spear and a jackhammer in just over 20 seconds…

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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: February 27, 2017, Massive Ivan Koloff bio, death of George “The Animal” Steele, tons more

The 2016 awards issue of the Observer is out with not only the winners, but the top place winners in every category as well as every winner of the awards which date back to 1980. Plus, have a look at the pros and cons of the Georges St-Pierre vs. Michael Bisping fight that looks to be the biggest PPV event at least until the fall, plus a detailed look at all the changes going on in TNA including people leaving, why they are leaving, where they are headed, who is coming in, and office changes.  We also look at the New Japan Cup, the career of Beth Phoenix, and Honor Rising tour.

The new issue has awards in these categories:

  • Ric Flair/Lou Thesz Award for Wrestler of the Year
  • MMA MVP
  • Most Outstanding Wrestler
  • Most Outstanding MMA Fighter
  • Best Box Office Draw
  • Feud of the Year
  • Tag Team of the Year
  • Most Improved
  • Best on Interviews
  • Most Charismatic
  • Bryan Danielson Award for Best Technical Wrestler
  • Bruiser Brody Award for Best Brawler
  • Best Flying Wrestler
  • Most Overrated
  • Most Underrated
  • Promotion of the Year
  • Best Weekly TV show
  • Pro Wrestling Match of the Year
  • MMA Match of the Year
  • Rookie of the Year
  • Best Non-Wrestler
  • Best TV announcer
  • Worst TV announcer
  • Best major show
  • Worst major show
  • Best maneuver
  • Most disgusting promotional tactic
  • Worst TV show
  • Worst match of the year
  • Worst feud of the year
  • Worst promotion of the year
  • Best Booker
  • Promoter of the Year
  • Best gimmick
  • Worst gimmick
  • Best Book
  • Best DVD/documentary

In this issue, there are notes on the business climate headed into WrestleMania week in Orlando as compared to last year, notes on Fast Lane, more on the WWE concussion lawsuit, departure of Jack Swagger from WWE, lots more on WrestleMania week, WWE Hall of Fame, HHH wrestling dates in March, a new WWE signee, John Cena outside activities and talks about Dwayne Johnson, Kurt Angle update and notes no next week’s TV. Plus, look at the most-watched shows on the WWE Network, business notes from all the WWE and NXT weekend shows and highlights.

There is also the results of the major league arena events held all over the world this past week, as well as notes on the various TV shows.

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: February 14, 2000, Vince McMahon announces the XFL, 1999 awards, more

Vince McMahon made sports and business headlines on 2/3 with the announcement of him starting his own professional football league called the XFL. McMahon, who failed in negotiations last year to buy the Canadian Football League, looks to be that league’s No. 1 rival for players not quite good enough for the NFL in his eight-team league scheduled to start in February 2001 with each team playing ten games and ending with championship playoffs in April… Subscribers click here to continue.

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • A number one contender’s match between Randy Orton and AJ Styles with the winner going on to challenge Bray Wyatt for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania is the most hyped thing for tonight’s SmackDown. John Cena & Nikki Bella will also team up on the show against James Ellsworth & Carmella. WWE.com is teasing that there may be entrants announced for the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal as well.
  • Austin Aries conducting an interview with himself is advertised for 205 Live tonight after he began a program with Neville on Raw.
  • It was announced on last night’s Raw that Enzo Amore & Big Cass would take on Cesaro & Sheamus in a tag team title number one contender’s match next week.
  • WWE UK Champion Tyler Bate turned 20 years old today.
  • Big Show was interviewed by Yahoo Sports.
  • WWE is advertising that Emma will return soon, again.
  • Kassius Ohno spoke to WWE.com about returning to NXT.

Pro Wrestling

  • For the first time since becoming Ring of Honor Tag Team Champions, The Hardys will defend their titles at Friday’s 15th Anniversary pay-per-view. They’ll face The Young Bucks and Roppongi Vice in a triple threat Vegas street fight. Bully Ray will also make his ROH in-ring debut in a six-man tag team match as he teams up with The Briscoes to take on War Machine & Davey Boy Smith Jr.
  • PROGRESS Wrestling’s show on March 31st in Orlando over WrestleMania weekend will be available as an iPPV on WWNLive.com. Pete Dunne, Trent Seven, Tyler Bate, Matt Riddle, Zack Sabre Jr., Mark Andrews, Shane Strickland, and Sami Callihan are scheduled to appear on the show.
  • NJPW announced that Yuji Nagata will be Tomoaki Honma’s replacement in the New Japan Cup. Nagata will face Tanga Loa in the first round.
  • Dick Togo vs. Zack Sabre Jr. has been announced for PWG on April 21st.
  • Impact Wrestling tweeted a promo video for this week’s episode, which will be the first of the new regime.
  • Matt Riddle will be appearing for WCPW on March 20th, 21st, and 23rd.

UFC/MMA

  • Ben Rothwell has been flagged by USADA for a potential anti-doping violation. The possible violation stems from an out-of-competition sample that was taken on February 6th.
  • In an interview with TMZ, Nick Diaz said that he offered to face Michael Bisping in a non-title fight at catchweight before Bisping vs. Georges St-Pierre was made.
  • Eddie Alvarez vs. Dustin Poirier has been verbally agreed to for UFC 211 in Dallas.
  • Yoel Romero posted on Instagram that he wants to speak to Dana White soon after GSP got the next shot at Bisping’s title instead of him. Romero also spoke to FloCombat about the decision.

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). THERE ARE ONLY 5 SEATS LEFT!
  • The bus will leave at 3:30pm (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, including BIG DAVE MELTZER
  • 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).

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

    Today in professional wrestling history (3/7): Memphis Memories Reunion Show

    CONTACT INFORMATION

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