Daily Update: Supreme, FS1 ratings, AEW notes

DAILY UPDATE

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WON NEWSLETTER: May 4, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Florida and UFC/WWE/AEW, more news

A look at how the major companies are looking at either running or not running is the lead story in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We also have a major feature on the characters from ABC’s 20/20, from David Schultz, John Stossell, Jim Wilson and Eddy Mansfield, as well as a feature on Gerald Brisco and how Vince McMahon got control of the TBS time slot for one year.

The issue also covers:

The schedule for UFC, WWE and AEW. 

The time frame Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida talked about for live events, the hypocrisy sanctioning these events, why UFC isn’t running Las Vegas, ESPN’s change of policy, another state open to bring in wrestling, boxing and MMA, UFC’s first show back, update on Fight Island, Bellator plans and Scott Coker talks his ideas.

Another feature on WWE financials with Vince McMahon’s quotes on all facets of business going forward and what is and isn’t honest about them. We also look at why you can’t compare live attendance, what category does look good and what doesn’t, empty arena shows, costs of taping now and why Vince says the WWE Network should grow.

The firings of Cain Velasquez and Curtis Axel and the departure, at least for now, of Gerald Brisco.

How close Brisco and Vince McMahon have been, the 1984 purchase of GCW by McMahon and how it went down, how McMahon lost the time slot after one year, the WWE signing and usage of Velasquez, and what major WWE decision-maker thought Axel would be one of the company’s signature stars.

The latest episode of Dark Side of the Ring on David Schultz. We look at the start of Schultz’s career, his feud with Hulk Hogan, slapping John Stossel, Eddy Mansfield, Jim Wilson, Jim Barnett, how Schultz got fired by WWE, Jim Cornette on the show, the Lou Thesz-Eddy Mansfield confrontation, the deregulation of wrestling, and how the story on Jimmy Snuka and the 20/20 story on wrestling intertwine.

New Monday night competition to Raw, 2K plans or 2020, How WWE stars get paid, wrestler who pulled out of tapings this past week, U.K. and Canada TV ratings, Taynara Conti and Mike Bennett talk being released, Jerry Lawler talks his remark bout Tozawa, Heath Slater talks his departure, David Starr talks current conditions and the most-watched bouts for the past week on WWE Network.

A harrowing story on Ilima lei-Macfarlane and her childhood going to the famed Punahou Schoolin Hawaii and the dirty secret the school covered up for decades that has just come to light.

Full coverage of the Impact Rebellion show with so many champions not there, as well as match-by-match coverage.

Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.

In-depth looks at the 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.

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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.

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • FS1’s Best of WWE specials on Ric Flair, Edge, Brock Lesnar, and Roman Reigns averaged 157,000 viewers, 213,000 viewers, 255,000 viewers, and 198,000 viewers last night. The respective ratings in the 18-49 demo were 0.03, 0.05, 0,06, and 0.04.
  • Today’s The Bump featured AJ Styles, The Miz & Maryse, Tamina, and Dana Brooke.
  • A pre-Money in the Bank episode of The Bump is airing at 10:30 a.m. Eastern time on Sunday. The Undertaker, Bayley, and Bray Wyatt have been announced as guests for the show. Undertaker appearing on The Bump comes in advance of “Undertaker: The Last Ride” premiering on the WWE Network after Money in the Bank.
  • Kevin Nash will be a guest on next Wednesday’s episode of The Bump.
  • John Cena, Charlotte Flair, and Triple H honored health care workers for The Real Heroes Project.
  • Harvey Wippleman is appearing on tomorrow’s episode of Corey Graves’ After the Bell podcast.
  • The SmackDown hacker angle continued on WWE Backstage last night.
  • Drew McIntyre talked to actor Chris Hemsworth about his new Netflix movie “Extraction.”
  • Full matches added to WWE’s YouTube today include Jinder Mahal vs. Randy Orton for the WWE title from Money in the Bank 2017 and the 2013 Money in the Bank ladder match.
  • Dakota Kai turns 32 today.

Other Wrestling

  • Lester Perfors, best known as Supreme, passed away this morning according to nephew Joey Muñoz, who wrestled as Kaos in the California independent scene. Supreme was best known for his run in XPW, where he held their King of the Deathmatch title four times. 
  • Tony Khan tweeted that all AEW wrestlers and staff for tonight’s live episode of Dynamite have tested negative for COVID-19: “#AEWDynamite is live tonight on TNT at 8pm ET/7CT! I’ve tested negative for COVID as have all wrestlers & staff here, we’re taking best precautions possible & it’ll be a great show with the debut of Matt Hardy teaming w/ Kenny Omega v. Jericho & Guevara, + @JonMoxley v. Kazarian!”
  • On Facebook yesterday, the IATSE 115 union wrote about setting up for tonight’s Dynamite and the health precautions that are in place: “We reopened with AEW-All Elite Wrestling SAFELY at Daily’s Place Amphitheatre today. A COVID-19 Rapid Test was given to every stagehand, road crew, venue staff and talent before entering the venue. Portable wash stations, hand sanitizer stations, mandatory masks covering, social distancing (especially at breaks) at all times. We didn’t ask to be the first but we are and we are working to keep it SAFE! #iatse115 #unionstrong #returntoworksafely”
  • Cody vs. Joey Janela will open tonight’s Dynamite.
  • Khan appeared on today’s episode of the AEW Unrestricted podcast and discussed AEW continuing to run during the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Ariel Helwani tweeted that AEW’s wrestlers and personnel and the UFC’s fighters and personnel are both staying at the same hotel in Jacksonville: “Two major events are happening in Jacksonville this week: UFC 249 and AEW tapings. Coincidentally, all fighters/wrestlers and personnel for both orgs are staying at the same hotel in Jacksonville, I’m told. That could make for a fun time.”
  • Vice uploaded the trailer for next week’s Dark Side of the Ring episode on The Road Warriors.
  • In an interview with Chris Van Vliet, Matt Cardona (the former Zack Ryder) spoke about his release from WWE.
  • Jon Moxley talked to Stephanie Chase on WWE releases, his work in AEW and NJPW, his role in Cagefighter: Worlds Collide and more.
  • MLW announced a multi-year agreement with Fight Globe that “will see Fight Globe represent the distribution of MLW programming in Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa as well as Canada and Mexico.”
  • All DDT, TJPW and Ganbare Pro shows have been canceled through June 23.
  • Birthdays today include Colt Cabana (40) and Brian Knobbs (56).

MMA

  • Dana White said there was a possibility that Stipe Miocic could be stripped of the UFC Heavyweight title if he chooses not to return. 
  • UFC’s return to Las Vegas has been announced for May 23, a Fight Night event. 
  • White has also said that other sports events ended up being canceled because “they caved to the media pressure.”
  • UFC has uploaded the first episode of UFC 249 Embedded.
  • Shooto will be going ahead as planned, but will be held at an undisclosed venue and won’t be open to the general public.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Kerry Von Erich wins NWA World title

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