Daily Update: Strange Bellator weigh-ins, Impact PPV, DDP

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

We’re looking for reports on tomorrow’s NJPW show in Adelaide, Australia and NXT in Tampa tonight to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

IMPACT ON POP TV AT 8 P.M.

  • Austin Aries vs. Eli Drake for Impact title
  • Bobby Lashley vs. Sami Callihan
  • Taiji Ishimori vs. El Hijo del Fantasma for X title
  • Rosemary vs. Hania

​F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Can a reboot salvage 205 Live?, pt. 2

It may take a while before we know whether the ongoing 205 Live reboot will be able to salvage the show, but there were positive developments both on television and behind the scenes last week. The most encouraging sign from last Tuesday’s show was Roderick Strong advancing to the second round of the Cruiserweight Championship tournament. 

WON NEWSLETTER: February 19, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWE 2017 earnings report, Rey Mysterio appearing for NJPW

The most complete look at WWE business for 2017 is the lead story in the new double issue of the Wrestling Observer this week. Look at every category of WWE business, including why profits were down even with record revenues, how much the company really makes off network subscriptions, why profits will almost surely be up big next year, how much the company’s annual loan payments are, changes in the network and PPV business, and how many people add and cancel subs.

This issue addresses the story regarding the end of brand-specific PPVs, how much Vince McMahon personally made in cash from his dividends this year, as well as how much stock and the value of it that HHH, Stephanie, Kevin Dunn, Michelle Wilson and George Barrios have. Vince McMahon talks about if his position in WWE changes with the XFL launch, HHH and Stephanie talk about the addition of Ronda Rousey, exactly how much interest there was on Rousey at the rumble, WWE Network numbers, predictions for numbers next quarter, and the paradox of social media, WWE network and revenue.

Look at stats that are really fake and why, where revenue comes from as well as WWE profits and losses every year since 1994.

Also, look at the next three WWE PPV shows, with what is announced and other directions.

Read about New Japan’s next major show, the ROH tour, Rey Mysterio in New Japan, as well as the title picture.

This issue discusses the New Beginnings in Osaka, with notes on business, match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results from the show.

There are also notes on the history of the longest running pro wrestling TV show still in existence, and it beats Raw by 25 years.

Find out about wrestlers renewing deals, Rob Gronkowksi, WWE in talks for major overseas show, WWE & Mysterio update, Dwayne Johnson sets a personal record, why a WWE main roster performer was booked on an indie show this past weekend, the Booker T and Corey Graves situation, and lots of WWE injury updates.

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: January 29, 2001 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Royal Rumble review, Shawn Michaels to return

In what was one of the best PPVs in the history of the WWF, the company gave a big tease for the eventual Rock vs. Steve Austin match which at this point still looks to be the headliner at Wrestlemania, putting Austin over in the Rumble. The show, featuring some strong highs and only a few lows, featured an early match of the year candidate in the Chris Jericho IC title win over Chris Benoit in a ladder match.

THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

There was a strange story coming out of the weigh-ins at Bellator for tomorrow night’s show at the Mohegan Sun Casino with Matt Mitrione vs. Roy Nelson in the heavyweight title tournament. Heather Hardy weighed in at 126.25 pounds, wearing a bikini. She acted like she made weight, and probably could have had she taken off the rest of her clothes. But Mike Mazulli of the Mohegan Tribe commission said that he never okayed her at that weight and refused to allow her to cut anymore weight. He said he wasn’t going to put her on the scale with no clothes on because he was so concerned with her health and that she needed to get hydrated and because of that Hardy had to forfeit 20 percent of her purse to opponent Ana Julaton. Hardy believes she made weight.

Impact announced that its 4/22 Redemption PPV will be in Orlando at the Impact Zone. The original plan was Toronto but they couldn’t find a venue that made it work. Impact will also be airing their 4/7 show in New Orleans at the Sugar Mill live on Twitch.

Aaron Frobel (Michael Elgin) filed a suit against “Moses Malone” (a pseudonym) in Circuit Court in Warren County, Missouri, claiming she wrongly associated his name with men who sexually assault women.

Pro Wrestling Revolver announced a 4/7 Pancakes and Piledrivers show at WrestleCon with Jessicka Havok vs. Meiko Satomura, Penta 0M & Rey Fenix vs. Teddy Hart & Jack Evans and Colt Cabana & Marty DaRosa vs. Joey Ryan & Session Moth Martina.

PWInsider reported that Diamond Dallas Page will be at Raw Monday.

WWE

  • Roman Reigns will appear at Autorama in Detroit at the Cobo Center on 3/3 from 10 a.m. to Noon. (thanks to Jake Koch)
  • Xavier Woods noted that his car was broken into last night. He said he doesn’t keep anything valuable in there so he wasn’t that upset, but that the people who broke in left it a mess, smoked cigarettes in the car and spilled Polynesian sauce.
  • A story on Billie Kay.

UFC

  • USADA announced today that Ruslan Magomedov and Zubaira Tukhugov have both accepted two year suspensions for positive tests for prohibitive substances. Both men tested positive for Ostarine, a PED. Both men claimed they got it from a contaminated supplement, but neither man was able to provide a supplement that was contaminated with Ostarine. The suspension for both will date back to the positive test coming back on September 26, 2016, and thus ends on the same date later this year.
  • Alejandro Perez vs. Matthew Lopez has been added to the 4/14 show in Glendale, AZ. 
  • Calvin Kattar vs. Renato Moicano was announced for 4/7 in Brooklyn.
  • Bobby Green pulled out of the 3/4 show in Las Vegas due to an injury. Green was to face Beneil Dariush.
  • UFC’s Jessica Andrade talks about junk food, the runner’s high, and next week’s fight with Tecia Torres in Orlando.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Gino Gambino talks the New Japan tour of Australia.
  • Cody also talks the tour. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
  • Kevin Eck talks with Rose Mendes.
  • Nick Aldis defends the NWA title against James Ellsworth. Also the story will be told via the NWA Ten Pounds of Gold Series. 
  • There will be a Four Horseman reunion Saturday with Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham and J.J. Dillon at the MCW Arena in Joppa, MD at 4 p.m. before a show that night. Rosa Mendes will also be there. MCW also has a show on 2/24 in Hollywood, MD, at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department with Tammy Sytch, Kruger (formerly Adam Rose) and Swoggle.
  • A preview of this weekend of Evolve shows.
  • The 2000 documentary “Gaea Girls,” about training for a women’s pro wrestling company in Japan, will be screened on 3/1 at the Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn, NY. 
  • Results from Pro Wrestling Mid South on Friday night in Ripley, TN: Koko Anderson b Casanova, Sharknado b Amigo Loco, Brandon White b Kid Wrestling, Morgan Williams b Josh Matthews, Matt Riviera b Greg Anthony. This group runs every Friday night in Ripley.
  • Cleveland Knights Championship Wrestling announced what they said was the first All-Puerto Rican PPV main event ever in he U.S. with Thunder & Lightning defending their CKPW tag titles against Angel Fashion & Mike Mendoza. (thanks to Jeff Gorman)
  • Jim Brunzell returns to Winnipeg for the first time in 30 years as part of the CWE Legends of Wrestling and Professional Sports Convention 2 on 2/24 at the CanAd Inns Garden City in Winnipeg. Fred “Tugboat” Ottman, Barry Windham, Tito Santana and Ron Simmons will also be there.
  • AAW has a sold out show on Saturday night in Chicago at the Logan Square Auditorium with Sami Callihan vs. Tetsuya Naito. Also on the show are ACH, DJZ, David Starr, Jeff Cobb, Trevor Lee and Teddy Hart. They also run 3/16 in Merrionette Park, IL at 115 Bourbon Street with Jushin Liger, ACH, Sami Callihan, David Starr and Eddie Kingston. There are also meet and greets with Naito before the show and Liger before the show.
  • NWX on 2/25 in St. Catharines, ONT at the CWF Training Facility at 20 Hartzel Rd., has a 2:30 p.m. show.
  • Superkick’d tomorrow night in Toronto at the Great Hall with Jake Something vs. Mark Wheeler and Brent Banks vs. Tyson Dux vs. Solo Ali.
  • Femme Fatales on 2/24 in Ottawa has Tessa Blanchard vs. Britt Baker.
  • Masada replaces Rey Hours on the WrestleCircus show in Austin, TX on Saturday.
  • Antonio “The Promise” Thomas talks to WWE Costume maker and husband of Sasha Banks, Sarath Ton, about the Celtics, Patriots, CrossFit, and gear making.
  • Watch the MLW Road to the World Championship event for free on MLW’s YouTube Channel. It features:
    MVP vs. “Filthy” Tom Lawlor
    Matt Riddle vs. Jeff Cobb
    Brody King vs. Shane Strickland
    Jimmy Havoc vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman
    GRUDGE MATCH: Sami Callihan vs. Darby Allin
    Austin Aries vs. ACH
    Chelsea Green vs. Priscilla Kelly
    Simon Gotch & Seth Petruzelli vs. Jason Cade & Jimmy Yuta
    LUCHA LIBRE: Destino Negro vs. Mega Danger
    Low Ki presented by Stokely Hathaway vs. Kotto Brazil

Today in Professional Wrestling History: Eddie Guerrero wins WWE World title at No Way Out 2004

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