Daily Update: SmackDown, Reigns-Young Bucks, Cejudo

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY:Figure Four Weekly 10/2/2017: Previewing WWE Hell in a Cell

For the first time since July’s lackluster Battleground show, SmackDown will put on a brand-exclusive pay-per-view as Hell in a Cell takes place in Detroit on Sunday night. Battleground was a night where nearly everything went wrong. The Punjabi Prison main event was awful, AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens had a botched finish, and only the tag title match between The New Day and The Usos saved it from being a totally irredeemable show.

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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER:October 9, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Death of Lance Russell, HIAC preview, more

It’s a special issue of the Wrestling Observer this week with a lead story on the life and career of Lance Russell. Look through his life, both in and out of wrestling, going back to when he started being a fan, the people whose careers he made, comments from fans and others in the business, how he made the careers of Jerry Lawler and Dave Brown, interaction with fans, his thoughts on a number of subjects, decisions he made as the program director, his first mention in a national trade publication, his first year broadcasting Memphis wrestling and why it was so politically important, when he promoted and having to pack a gun, his time moving to WCW, the song about him, and my own interactions with him over the years.

Look at the next three WWE PPV shows and directions, as well as the next Takeover show.

There are also updates on Ric Flair, notes on how Jim Ross’ book is doing, an update on the concussion lawsuit and the judges’ ruling that hurts the case, Notes on Shane McMahon filing a suit claiming he was duped out of $500,000, WWE in India, Samoa Joe injury update, Nikki Bella Dancing With The Stars update, Brock Lesnar schedule change, Kurt Angle talks his future and wrestling, indie name likely on the way to WWE, update on Jim Ross and New Japan, more on Kane running for Mayor, and Randy Orton talks his current role,

This issue has coverage of all the WWE and NXT arena events, with business notes and highlights inside the rig.  

Check out AAA’s Heroes Inmortales show, how the company is doing and the story behind different people advertised who weren’t there.

Read details on the ratings for all the national shows over the past week, including breakdown of who was watching all of the WWE shows.

Results of the major league arena events held all over the world this past week, as well as notes on the various TV shows, all in this issue.

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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: September 18, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Raw/Nitro ratings war, NJPW vs. AJPW, more

In what was the most significant, and closest Monday night ratings race so far this year, a heavily criticized edition of Nitro on 9/11 scored the highest rating for the show in its regular opposed format since 1/10 and the closest margin between the two shows since 12/20. Nitro finished with a 3.20 rating (3.47 first hour; 2.93 second hour) and a 4.8 share. Raw did a 5.90 rating (5.36 first hour; 6.38 second hour) and an 8.9 share.

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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Tonight’s SmackDown will feature fallout from Sunday’s pay-per-view. It will be WWE’s first chance to follow up on the show-closing angle with Zayn making the save for Kevin Owens and helping him beat Shane McMahon at Hell in a Cell. AJ Styles also gets his rematch for the United States Championship as he challenges Baron Corbin tonight, Becky Lynch faces Carmella, and there will be a Pulp Fiction-inspired episode of the Fashion Files.
  • 205 Live has Kalisto’s first appearance since winning the Cruiserweight Championship on Raw last night. There will also be a Rich Swann vs. TJP match.
  • On a conference call, Roman Reigns seemed to take a shot at The Young Bucks by saying that WWE doesn’t need guys running around doing Too Sweets and acting like they’re DX from 15 years ago. Reigns said that they need original characters and that they’re trying to create something new. The comment came after Reigns had discussed his in-ring programs with Strowman and him as a wrestler. Matt Jackson responded to what Reigns said, noting that he was disappointed a current top guy would say what he did: “You expect old-timers/shock jocks to bury you, but not current, young, top-guys that you respect. Disappointing. #usVSthem”
  • Reigns vs. Strowman in a steel cage match is advertised for Raw next week. The episode will be the go-home show for TLC.
  • WWE posted a video with Mike Bennett and Maria Kanellis-Bennett opening up about Mike being a recovery prescription drug addict and Maria’s pregnancy.
  • In a report that should be taken with a grain of salt, the Irish Sun reported that Conor McGregor is in talks to do a match at next year’s WrestleMania.
  • Bill Goldberg will be on tomorrow’s episode of “The Goldbergs” on ABC. Adam F. Goldberg, the show’s creator, tweeted that Goldberg is a “legit comedic genius” and that he’ll be in multiple episodes going forward.
  • Chris Jericho announced that Jerry Lawler will be part of his 2018 rock music and pro wrestling-themed cruise as a co-host alongside Jim Ross.

Pro Wrestling

  • Tommy Dreamer announced that House of Hardcore is partnering with Twitch and will be airing new material on the service weekly. Their first show on Twitch will be House of Hardcore 35 on November 18th in Philly (which will air live) and they’ll be filming content for Twitch at their show in St. James the night prior as well. Dreamer wrote that House of Hardcore will be having more shows and the promotion will be introducing titles.
  • The first round matches for this year’s Super Junior Tag Team Tournament will take place at NJPW’s road to Power Struggle shows on October 23nd and 29th. KUSHIDA & Hirai Kawato vs. Sho & Yoh and Dragon Lee & Titan vs. Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI are set for the 23rd, with the winning teams going on to face each other in the semifinals. Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask IV vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado and Ryusuke Taguchi & ACH vs. Taka Michinoku & Taichi are scheduled for the 29th. The semifinals will take place at the tour show on October 30th before the finals go down at Power Struggle.
  • Santino released a lengthy statement on the altercation that he got into with Jim Cornette last weekend.

UFC/MMA

Today in Professional Wrestling History: TNA Bound for Glory 2010

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