Daily Update: Sonya Deville, WWE notes, Ovince Saint Preux

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

WON NEWSLETTER: August 24, 2020 Observer Newsletter: UFC 252 review, Sonya Deville stalker incident, more

A big week of changes in the industry is looked at in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, including the first look at what AEW television fans would do regarding NXT if there was no AEW and which fan base is more likely to watch and which fan base passed on the show.

Our lead story looks at Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic and UFC 252.  We look at the key moments of the fight, the scoring, Jon Jones, the greatest heavyweight of all-time, PPV numbers, television ratings, Sean O’Malley, match-by-match coverage with poll results and more.

Also in this issue:

The history of Phillip Thomas and his attempt to kidnap Daria Berenato (Sonya Deville), his obsession, and full details as to what happened in a scary story.

Multiple shows benig canceled due to COVID, as well as updating the situation in Japan and Mexico and how each country has handled it differently.

WWE moving into the Amway Center, renaming it the Thunderdome for all television, how the idea happened and comments regarding the new location.

The reality of numbers, as well as a look at this week’s major WWE shows.

Renee Young leaving WWE, how she first got into wrestling, her past and hat looks to be her future.

AEW selling tickets for its television tapings, the current schedule, live vs. tape on ratings and what shows Tony Khan studied for ideas on hwo to open.

Next round of New Japan major shows including the King of Pro Wrestling champinoship tournament.

WWE talks, Goldberg and Mysterio contracts, a discussion of the Patrick Clark situation, why NXT isn’t at the Amway Center, why WWE removed a number of documentaries off the WWE Network, update on WWE creative, international TV ratings, WWE star places in fitness competition, how a new law could affect classificiation ofWWE employees and what it means, WWE star looking to at doing a new TV show, most-watched shows on the WWE Network and market value of the WWE right now.

A feature on the life of John “Xavier” Bedoya, the second ROH champion, including the early days of ROH, his comebacks wth the group, post ROH career and his attempts to get into MMA.

CMLL’s opening in September and plans for its anniversary show including what seven championshps wil be on the line.

Ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.

Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week. 

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@wrestlingobserver.com or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Fox 13 in Tampa ran a story yesterday on the bond hearing for the suspect in the Sonya Deville attempted kidnapping case. It included surveillance video that was played for the judge of Deville noticing the suspect and him walking through her home.
  • Deville’s match against Mandy Rose at SummerSlam is no longer hair vs. hair. It’s now a no DQ match with a loser leaves WWE stipulation.
  • Xavier Woods, Matt Riddle, Elias, Renee Young, JBL, The Hurricane, Jinder Mahal, The Singh Brothers, Kacy Catanzaro, Kayden Carter, and Malcolm Bivens have been announced for tomorrow’s SummerSlam edition of WWE Watch Along. The Watch Along will stream on WWE’s social media channels during tomorrow’s PPV.
  • In an interview with the Sporting News, Seth Rollins responded to a question about Austin Theory’s status: “He had some personal issues that came up so he took some time off to sort through them for the past month or two. It’s hard right now but we hope everything’s good for him so we hope to have him back sooner than later.”
  • Big E wrote about honoring Lamar Smith with his arm band on last night’s SmackDown: “Tonight’s armband is for Lamar Smith. Lamar was a World War I veteran & voting rights activist. In 1955, he was at the courthouse helping other black voters to fill out absentee ballots when he was shot to death. Despite arresting 3 men, no one was ever indicted for his murder.”
  • During a conference call, Randy Orton spoke about his segment with Ric Flair from the August 10 episode of Raw: “That segment, that was hard to do. There were so many things I could’ve said that would’ve been nasty and would’ve even made that segment better. It was hard to look him in the eye, no matter how much we wanted it to come across that way, it was hard to be mean to that man after how he’s treated me for the past twenty years especially. But ya know, business is business. Ric knows that and I know that and I’ll tell you what he was never supposed to grab the microphone from me that night. He was just supposed to say a few things under his breath that the handheld camera in the ring may or may not pick up. You were supposed to see our facial expressions and get an idea that he was bringing me back in and eventually we had the hug and I turned on him but when he grabbed the mic I was thinkin ‘Ah, come on Ric you’re not supposed to grab the mic’ but then he went on to cut that promo and it was very touching. The thing is he meant everything he said. That’s why he’s so special to this business, he’s always left his heart out there in the ring and every emotion you get out there from Ric Flair, it’s real and that’s one of the reasons he’s the best.”
  • Jeff Hardy’s wife Beth tweeted that the return of Hardy’s “No More Words” theme music is being reserved until in-person fans are back.
  • Kayla Braxton tweeted about being one of the new hosts for Talking Smack: “I’ve got some big shoes to fill but I’ll do my best! Super excited for this opportunity.”
  • Triple H took part in a pre-TakeOver XXX Q&A with Braxton today.
  • The Advertiser published a story on Bronson Reed ahead of TakeOver.
  • Pat McAfee revealed his custom sneakers for tonight’s TakeOver event.
  • Today is the five-year anniversary of Sasha Banks vs. Bayley at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn. A WWE Untold episode on the match premiered on the WWE Network today and will air on the live stream after TakeOver XXX,
  • Drew McIntyre wrote a piece for the Players’ Tribune ahead of SummerSlam.
  • McIntyre and Triple H appeared on ESPN’s First Take yesterday. ESPN’s Arda Ocal also interviewed Bray Wyatt
  • The Wrestling Movement reported that the NXT UK roster is in London today for COVID-19 testing: “BREAKING: TWM has learned that the entire NXT UK roster is in London today having Covid tests. Tapings could take place soon.”
  • United States Champion Apollo Crews turns 33 years old today.
  • In a sneak peek clip from the WWE 24 episode on WrestleMania 36, Vince McMahon jumped off the platform at the Performance Center to show Rob Gronkowski how to do his spot. The WWE 24 episode debuts on the WWE Network on demand at 10 a.m. Eastern time tomorrow and will also air on the live stream after SummerSlam.
  • WWE streamed the best NXT TakeOver title matches on their YouTube channel today.
  • WWE’s YouTube channel also uploaded Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe vs. Braun Strowman for the Universal Championship from SummerSlam 2017 and Undisputed Era vs. Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch for the NXT Tag Team titles from TakeOver: Chicago II.

Other Wrestling

  • In an interview with Sports Illustrated, KENTA discussed his time in WWE and what his current inspiration in wrestling is: “I’ve felt in my heart that the five years I spent in WWE were the most frustrating days of my life. I’ve talked about this, but I’ll always remember the humiliation in America. Being here reminds me of that regret. And when you’re not good, you tell yourself that. That is what inspires me.”
  • Today is PAC’s 34th birthday.

MMA

  • Ovince Saint Preux tested positive for COVID-19 and his scheduled fight against Alonzo Menifield at tonight’s UFC on ESPN show is off. Saint Preux’s management team tweeted: “For safety precautions the @003_OSP fight will be removed from the card tonight and reschedule for 9/5. He battled Covid previously and presented both + and – tests this week. He currently has no symptoms and his cornermen are all clear.”
  • Pedro Munhoz is hoping to get a bantamweight title shot if he defeats Frankie Edgar tonight: “I believe that with an impressive victory over Frankie Edgar, because of his name, I already see an open path to the belt. And the UFC knows the type of fighter I am. I don’t coast. Many athletes play strategies, being aggressive is my strategy. That’s the fighting style I like and that’s what fans and the UFC like, so I believe that would give me a great jump towards a title shot.”
  • Vadim Nemkov defeated Ryan Bader by TKO in the second round of their fight at Bellator 244 last night to win the Bellator light heavyweight title.
  • Scott Coker spoke about the status of contract negotiations with Michael Chandler: “We’re in dialogue, and there will be a serious conversation probably this coming week, and we’ve been talking to Michael for a while,” Coker said. “He’s been wanting to test free agency, and look, free agency is a great opportunity for the fighters. I don’t even think Michael knows where he’ll end up at this point. If we sign him, I think we have some great fights ahead for him, and I’m sure he wants to fight Pitbull (Patricio Freire) again, because that was a big win for Pitbull. I think you’ll see a lot of 155 pounders come in our company and grow in our company. I see a lot of guys jumping from 145 to 155, and I think ‘Pitbull’ proved that to be effective. Free agency works both ways, but we love Michael Chandler. He’s been an ambassador for the company, and we’ll see what happens.”

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Sasha Banks vs. Bayley at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn

CONTACT INFORMATION