Daily Update: Styles vs. Owens, The Hardys, G1 standings

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: Figure Four Weekly 7/24/2017: Battleground brings Smackdown to lowest point since brand split

Only days after the one-year anniversary of WWE’s most recent attempt at a brand split, SmackDown hit its lowest point since last summer with Battleground. It wouldn’t be much of an issue if this were an outlier. Bad pay-per-views are bound to happen and there will always be excuses for them. Stipulations marred things at Battleground, dragging down both John Cena vs. Rusev and the main event.

Subscribers click here to continue.

WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: July 24, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Brock Lesnar UFC return rumors, WWE Battleground preview, more

What exactly is going on with Brock Lesnar is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer.

Look at Lesnar rumors as far as UFC goes, what is and isn’t reality, what steps he has to take before he can be in a match and why he won’t be fighting in UFC any time soon. Look at the UFC and WWE schedules and how murky certain things are, Lesnar’s WWE contract, how this is similar to 2015, as well as looking at potential Lesnar opponents in UFC. Find out how this plays into WWE bookings, with thoughts on SummerSlam, and the booking of SummerSlam and Battleground.

Check out the G-1 Climax tournament, run down the first night, New Japan’s business, the matches coming up this week along with match-by-match coverage and star ratings from Sapporo.

Examine Kurt Angle’s new angle with Jason Jordan, and look at the story, how it doesn’t fit into the original story, fan reaction and long-term potential.

Go in-depth into the Mae Young Classic, the Ronda Rousey involvement, Shayna Baszler push, behind-the-scenes, reactions to it and match-by-match coverage.

Look at a promotion that claims it has gotten $100 million in investment money to start competing on a worldwide basis.

Find out about the cancellation of the weekly version of Talking Smack. Look at the show, what worked, what didn’t work, why it’s continuing in a limited form, and the idea that WWE forgot to tell the hosts the show was being canceled. There is also an update of the latest PPV numbers.

Find out about the Shane McMahon helicopter crash, an update on the negotiations for the Hardys to get the broken gimmick, Bruno Sammartino being honored, Stephanie McMahon being honored, Jinder Mahal talks India market, UFC fighter and WWE star doing their own angle, TV station that aired WWE closes its doors, notes on an upcoming WWE movie release, WWE scouting, upcoming Raw house show lineups, plus the most-watched network shows over the past week and a look at every WWE and NXT arena event over the past week with highlights and business notes.

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: July 3, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWF wins lawsuit to go to Viacom, King of the Ring review, more

Delaware Chancery Court Judge William Chandler ruled in favor of the World Wrestling Federation and Viacom on 6/27 in the lawsuit filed by the USA Network, which will result, officially, in September, for all WWF cable programming moving to Viacom stations TNN and MTV. Chandler ruled against USA Network’s claim that their right of first refusal in the contract, which expires in September, only pertains to the four wrestling shows on the network and not to an overall marketing deal between Viacom and the WWFE as a company.

Subscribers click here to continue.

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • In addition to the John Cena vs. Shinsuke Nakamura match with the winner going on to face Jinder Mahal at SummerSlam, there will be a United States Championship match on SmackDown next week. AJ Styles will again defend against Kevin Owens after winning the title last night. Chris Jericho, who returned to WWE TV earlier in the show, was also in that triple threat match for the title.
  • Reby Hardy has continued to tweet about The Hardys’ legal situation with Anthem over ownership of their “Broken” characters, including her claiming that Matt Hardy has taped all of his phone calls with Ed Nordholm and saying that Nordholm is lying about the situation. That was in response to a Sports Illustrated interview with Nordholm, where he said that Anthem is moving on after trying to reach a resolution and said that Matt is “prepared to tell falsehoods” about the contract that he had with TNA. Concerning comments that Nordholm made about Matt asking for $100,000 more than had been agreed upon to re-sign with TNA shortly before a TV taping, Matt wrote that Nordholm blatantly lied to defame him and said he had the entire conversation recorded. 
  • After SmackDown last night, Daniel Bryan tweeted video of the debut episode of “Smacking Talk,” which is the “rogue edition” of Talking Smack that he had been tweeting about. Renee Young was the co-host of the show and Chad Gable was the guest. WWE.com posted an article about it, with Bryan responding: “After 5,000+ retweets and 15,000+ likes, @wwe finally acknowledged #SmackingTalk, then called it ‘bewildering.’ #YesMovementPart2 is coming!”
  • The state attorney’s office in Florida confirmed that no arrest warrant has been issued for Paige after false reports claimed that one had. No decision has been made on whether she’ll be charged for the airport domestic violence incident with Alberto El Patron.
  • WWE will be releasing its second quarter financials tomorrow and holding a call with investors at 11 a.m. ET.
  • Shawn Michaels announced that he’ll be on the road with NXT and working backstage at their house shows in Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Minneapolis this weekend.
  • Roderick Strong turns 34 years old today.

Pro Wrestling

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tetsuya Naito, and Zack Sabre Jr. are at the top of the A Block with six points in the G1 after today’s show. Kota Ibushi, Hirooki Goto, Bad Luck Fale, Tomohiro Ishii, and Togi Makabe all have four points. YOSHI-HASHI has two, while Yuji Nagata remains winless.
  • Tomoaki Honma was at the show and promised to come back.
  • B Block action will resume at tomorrow morning’s G1 show in Niigata at 5:30 a.m. ET. The tournament matches are: Kenny Omega vs. Michael Elgin, Kazuchika Okada vs. Satoshi Kojima, Minoru Suzuki vs. EVIL, SANADA vs. Toru Yano, and Juice Robinson vs. Tama Tonga.
  • Omega responded to Davey Boy Smith Jr. criticizing his G1 match with Yano: “What’s worse: successful comedy within the confines of a ring or a failed attempt at being entertaining while wrestling serious?”
  • Hiroshi Hase, who is also a politician in Japan, returned to the ring for the first time in 11 years at a show for Keiji Mutoh’s Pro Wrestling Masters.
  • What Culture Pro Wrestling clarified that the return of their “Loaded” series doesn’t mean that YouTube has changed the restrictions on wrestling promotions being able to monetize their videos.
  • ROH announced that Brandi Rhodes will make her Women of Honor debut at their TV tapings in Concord, North Carolina on Saturday. She’ll team with Sumie Sakai against Mandy Leon & Jenny Rose.
  • Nocking Point (which is co-founded by Arrow star Stephen Amell) is releasing Cody and Dusty Rhodes themed wines.
  • The Charlotte Observer posted a story on Cody and his life after leaving WWE.
  • Deonna Purrazzo spoke to the Orlando Sentinel about her dreams starting to come true in pro wrestling.
  • ACH is the subject of EVOLVE’s latest mini-documentary.

UFC/MMA

  • At today’s pre-UFC 214 press conference, Dana White said that the winner of Tyron Woodley vs. Demian Maia will defend their welterweight title against Georges St-Pierre.
  • White also downplayed talk of a Brock Lesnar vs. Jon Jones superfight, saying that he hasn’t talked to Lesnar. Jones said that he’ll deal with Lesnar after he defeats Daniel Cormier.
  • TMZ ran a story on Jones and Cormier trading insults at the press conference, with Jones saying that Cormier looked like a crackhead and Cormier claiming that Jones was one.
  • Cormier tweeted that he weighs 215 pounds as of this afternoon and only has 10 more to cut for his fight against Jon Jones.
  • The UFC uploaded the third episode of Embedded for Saturday’s PPV.
  • A USADA spokesperson told MMA Fighting that Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather will be drug tested robustly leading up to their boxing match.
  • Rafael dos Anjos vs. Neil Magny has been added to the card for UFC 215 on September 9th in Edmonton.
  • The Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sport approved new weight classes for MMA at 165, 175, 195, and 225 pounds.

Today in Pro Wrestling History: Steve Austin & The Undertaker win WWF tag titles

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

​