Daily Update: SmackDown, WWE Evolution, Woodley vs. Till

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Hogan takes first step towards WWE return

Nearly three years after being fired from the company, Hulk Hogan’s return to WWE took a major step forward on Sunday. After Hogan was spotted flying into Cleveland — which was apparently a failed attempt to avoid him being seen coming to Pittsburgh, where WWE’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view was being held — WWE announced on Sunday afternoon that Hogan had been reinstated into their Hall of Fame.

WON NEWSLETTER: (July 23, 2018): ROH/NJPW to run MSG, Hogan reinstated into WWE HOF, more

A look at the ROH/NJPW planned show in Madison Square Garden and the huge ramifications this show could have on the industry is the lead story of a big double-issue of the Observer. 

The lead story goes into how ROH/NJPW got the date back after WWE blocked it, why those at Sinclair were always confident they would be able to run the date and their big ace on why they have leverage on WWE. 

Find out who was announced, who wasn’t and why, as well as ticket prices, and what significant milestone this show can reach that no non-WWE show in history ever has.

Read what happened backstage with Hulk Hogan, talent reactions to Kofi Kingston and Titus O’Neil, what the problems were in how this was handled and the real issues involved. .

Look at the hilarious irony of the new UFC business deal in Russia.

This issue has full coverage of the Extreme Rules show, a look at the upcoming SummerSlam show, a look at the issues with the crowd, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

Read more on the G-1 Climax tournament with business notes, standings, schedule for the next week, plus match-by-match coverage and star ratings

Also look at yet another rise in WWE stock and why, predictions on WWE future profits, Daniel Bryan talks his future and contract situation, Bryan talks about his in-ring style change, update on Vince McMahon, Dwayne Johnson’s latest movie, Bret Hart and Martha Hart argue over Owen Hart, Owen Hart honored this week, and Rousey TV appearance.

Read how a recent FCC ruling affects the growth of ROH.

Also look at the upcoming Bellator welterweight tournament, a look at the participants, schedule and championship plans.

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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Rusev is set for tonight’s SmackDown. WWE announced the match in a video where Almas & Zelina Vega and Rusev & Lana argued over who should challenge WWE Champion AJ Styles at SummerSlam. Styles’ opponent for the PPV will be revealed on tonight’s show. SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella vs. Becky Lynch will also take place tonight. If Lynch wins, she’ll challenge for Carmella’s title at SummerSlam.
  • Jack Gallagher vs. Akira Tozawa has been added to tonight’s 205 Live, which will also feature Mustafa Ali vs. Hideo Itami vs. TJP vs. Drew Gulak for the next shot at Cedric Alexander’s Cruiserweight Championship.
  • 205 Live will face competition from “Miz & Mrs,” which debuts on the USA Network tonight after SmackDown. The episodes of “Miz & Mrs” will be 30 minutes long.
  • Paul “Triple H” Levesque spoke to ESPN.com about people saying WWE’s all-women’s Evolution PPV is happening because the women’s division wasn’t allowed to wrestle at the Greatest Royal Rumble: “Let’s take the Saudi Arabia show off the table, and let’s just say it never happened — would anybody question that they deserve this opportunity? To me, it’s a ridiculous statement, the timing of it. You cannot effect change in a region that, culturally, is trying to change, you cannot help them affect that change without being there.”
  • Mickie James teased facing Trish Stratus at the Evolution PPV: “We’ve stood the test of time my friend… But after tonight’s announcement from @StephMcMahon and all the excitement for something we all worked so hard for I must ask… One more time?! #EVOLUTION #ThePeopleWantIt #IWantIt”
  • Renee Young tweeted that she’d be ready to step up to the challenge if Evolution has an all-women’s commentary team.
  • Seth Rollins appeared on this week’s episode of Chasing Glory with Lilian Garcia. He said he was mostly happy with his Iron Man match against Dolph Ziggler at Extreme Rules. He mentioned that the fans counting with the clock really messed with Ziggler and that WWE’s decision to take the clock off the video screen was a bad one because it was like taking a toy from a petulant child. He said he’s never understood the concept of coming to a show and doing anything other than watching it, but fans pay their money and can do what they want.
  • During a conference call, Bobby Lashley responded to a question about Hulk Hogan being reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame: “If he’s in, he’s in. Nothing to do with me.”
  • Sunday’s episode of Total Bellas averaged 610,000 viewers, up from last week’s 594,000. The show was also up in the 18-49 demo, posting a 0.33 rating after last week’s 0.27.
  • On Total Bellas, Daniel Bryan got emotional when seeing a picture of his daughter watching him wrestle on TV at WrestleMania 34.
  • OVW’s Jaylee and ARW Pro’s Moxie Molly were the wrestlers that Sasha Banks & Bayley defeated in their tag match on Raw last night.
  • Zack Ryder defeated Mike Kanellis and Chad Gable & No Way Jose defeated The Ascension on last night’s Main Event tapings.
  • Cris Cyborg told TMZ that she’d be open to facing Ronda Rousey in WWE if the opportunity ever presented itself. She said she’s seen some of the things Rousey has done in WWE and that she thinks Rousey is doing great.
  • Loudwire ran a story on Elias’ EP reaching the top 10 of the iTunes charts.
  • Dolph Ziggler is appearing on an upcoming episode of Comedy Central’s Roast Battle that is being taped today.

Pro Wrestling

  • Ring Warriors will be airing on WGN America at 8 a.m. Eastern every Saturday morning starting on September 15. They’ll be taping TV at Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas on August 8 and 9.
  • ROH announced that everyone who joins HonorClub by August 1 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time will get access to the pre-sale for next April’s G1 Supercard at Madison Square Garden. The pre-sale is through Ticketmaster and starts at 10 a.m. Eastern on August 8, then tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Eastern on August 10. In the days before the pre-sale, a code will be sent to the email associated with your HonorClub account.
  • Though how serious he is about this remains to be seen, Chris Jericho posted tweets today teasing that he’d be open to wrestling for Impact Wrestling and potentially competing at ROH and NJPW’s G1 Supercard at Madison Square Garden. Jericho wrote Of course!” in response to a question asking if he’d ever consider going to Impact “and “Hmmm…” when asked about the MSG show.
  • Brian Christopher/Lawler was arrested in Tennessee on July 7 for DUI and evading police. TMZ’s report notes that Lawler was trying to make it home and failed to stop when cops tried to pull him over.
  • WWN/EVOLVE provided an update on Matt Riddle’s status with the company amid speculation that he could be signing with WWE: “EVOLVE Champion Matt Riddle has been the subject of rumors. Riddle is confirmed for all four August EVOLVE events, where he will defend the championship at EVOLVE 108 against Shane Strickland in a Hardcore Rules Match on August 4th in Philadelphia. If Riddle is successful, he will defend vs. Darby Allin at EVOLVE 110 on August 11th in Chicago. Riddle is set for non-title action vs. Austin Theory at EVOLVE 109 in Melrose, MA and JD Drake at EVOLVE 111 in Livonia, MI. If Riddle is still EVOLVE Champion after August, he will be added to additional dates. Riddle is currently scheduled to miss the September weekend due to previously approved personal obligations.”
  • PCW Ultra tweeted that Riddle is off their show in Wilmington, California on Friday due to “unforeseen circumstances”: “Due to unforeseen circumstances…Matt Riddle will not be performing at ‘Sound The Alarm.’ We will have a suitable replacement. Sorry for the inconvenience.”
  • David Arquette tweeted that he had two fractured ribs in his match against RJ City for Championship Wrestling From Hollywood.
  • WALTER was interviewed by Daily Star ahead of challenging for Travis Banks’ PROGRESS World Championship tomorrow.
  • The Daily Record interviewed Grado about being part of ITV’s World of Sport series.

UFC/MMA

Daily Professional Wrestling History: The Steiners win WCW tag titles

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 Granny’s Doubles Match Classic! Already booked for the show are the teams Mia Yim & Leva Bates, Shotzi Blackheart & ???, Samantha Heights & Brittany Blake, and Miranda Alize & Kylie Rae. Also appearing will be Kris Wolf 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