Daily Update: SmackDown, Talking Smack, War of the Worlds UK

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: Figure Four Weekly 7/10/2017: What’s next for Samoa Joe?

While the question of whether that was actually a double-turn with Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman was the most interesting question coming out of Great Balls of Fire, the biggest long-term issue may be what’s next for Samoa Joe after his main event with Brock Lesnar. Lesnar vs. Joe offered few surprises, mostly delivering on what everyone thought it would be. Joe was a credible threat to Lesnar (despite having to cheat to get most of his offense) before losing in about six minutes. The match felt like the big fight that it was built up to be and Joe more than held his own.

Subscribers click here to continue.

WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: July 10, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: NJPW in Long Beach reviewed, TNA becomes GFW, tons of news

New Japan’s expansion into the U.S. with the shows over the weekend in Long Beach is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Look through the business of the show, the positives, the negatives, the complaints about using ex-WWE talent, the U.S. title tournament, views on the U.S. title, as well as the New Japan plans for early 2018 in the U.S.

Read about examples as to why the early success may not lead to long-term success, indications of how well the show did, where the show was the strongest, which wrestlers had the most mainstream interest on the show, the Omega vs. Rhodes dynamic, and all the controversy regarding the announcing is covered. Plus, there is match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results of both the shows.

Check out Impact’s rebranding to GFW, the good and the bad of the Slammiversary show, the interesting politics involved, the debut of DeAngelo Williams as well as match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

This issue talks the WWE security breach reported by Forbes, MSG notes, ideas for big events in 2018 in WWE, new TV show idea, Iron men of 2017 plus who never wins and who never loses, lots of updates on the Mae Young Classic, why Randy Orton will be out for a couple of weeks, experiences of a woman on the WWE writing team, plus the most-watched shows on the WWE Network this past week, WWE company market value, and notes on all the WWE and NXT arena events the past week with highlights and business notes.

Also inside, notes on the pending case against Jim Breaks, the death of his ex-girlfriend, and the details of the case, and notes on the career of Vic Faulkner of the Royal Brothers tag team, who passed away this past week.

Subscribers click here to continue.

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: June 26, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Birth of NOAH, Vince Russo quits WCW, tons of news

Mitsuharu Misawa announced officially the formation of his new promotion, Nippon TV officially announced cancellation of the All Japan television show and Toshiaki Kawada talked about attempting to go to New Japan were highlights of the aftermath of the All Japan split. Misawa held his press conference on 6/16 at Diffa Ariake, the new building in the Ariake suburb of Tokyo, which was built specifically for pro wrestling to replace Korakuen Hall as the small show mecca in the Tokyo area and which, ironically enough, has its first show on 7/1 booked by the All Japan promotion.

Subscribers click here to continue.

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Tonight’s SmackDown is the go-home show for Battleground. Mike Kanellis will make his in-ring debut against Sami Zayn, there will be a segment with John Cena to build up his flag match against Rusev, Renee Young will interview Chad Gable about the storyline with Jason Jordan being revealed as Kurt Angle’s son, AJ Styles & Shinsuke Nakamura will face Kevin Owens & Baron Corbin, and the Punjabi Prison will be present prior to Jinder Mahal vs. Randy Orton on Sunday.
  • 205 Live has a two-out-of-three falls match with Mustafa Ali facing Drew Gulak. Akira Tozawa has also demanded a rematch against Ariya Daivari after Titus O’Neil stopped their match last night.
  • Jerry Lawler announced that he’ll be appearing on the Battleground pre-show on Sunday and on Talking Smack after the pay-per-view. Renee Young confirmed that she’ll be hosting the show with him. That episode of Talking Smack will be the first since its weekly run ended.
  • Brock Lesnar is advertised for WWE’s house show in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on September 30th.
  • Taylor Wilde (who formerly wrestled in TNA) tweeted that she was considered for the Mae Young Classic but opted to stay in retirement after suffering an injury during training.
  • Chad Gable wrote a lengthy (and partially in-character) thank you message to Jason Jordan after last night’s reveal and the end of American Alpha.
  • Finn Balor posted a picture of the cut that the guitar shot from Elias Samson gave him last night.
  • India Today has an interview with Jinder Mahal.
  • Dave Meltzer will appear on this Friday’s episode of Talk is Jericho to discuss the Benoit tragedy 10 years later.

Pro Wrestling

  • ROH announced that the main event of their War of the Worlds UK show at York Hall in London on August 18th will be the Bullet Club (Cody, The Young Bucks, Marty Scurll & Hangman Page) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, EVIL, BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi). The main event of the stop in Edinburgh, Scotland on August 20th will be Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian vs. Cody & Scurll.
  • Austin Aries has a new look after departing WWE. He tweeted a picture of himself with a shaved head and no facial hair.
  • Konnan and Rey Mysterio met up with R-Truth after Raw in Nashville last night. James Storm also posted a picture with Bray Wyatt after the show.
  • CEO Gaming released parts one and two of a video continuing the “rivalry” between Kenny Omega and Xavier Woods.

UFC/MMA

  • Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones continued to trade shots on social media ahead of their fight on July 29th.
  • Demetrious Johnson called the problems that he’s had with Dana White a “big misunderstanding” and said that he’s going to sit down with him and talk about them.
  • Bovada now lists Conor McGregor as a less than four-to-one underdog against Floyd Mayweather.
  • Paulie Malignaggi is joining McGregor’s camp as a sparring partner ahead of the boxing match with Mayweather.
  • Cris Cyborg said that there needs to be more than one face of women’s MMA with Ronda Rousey gone.

Today in Pro Wrestling History: Ric Flair wins NWA World title at Beach Blast 1993

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: Burgers with Granny for lunch; Future Stars of Wrestling show featuring Stephan Bonnar & Phil Baron, 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

​