Daily Update: Tommaso Ciampa, WM week notes, Askren vs. Masvidal

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Looking at the WWE HOF and the 2019 class

While interest has inevitably decreased over the years, the 2019 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony feels like less of an essential part of WrestleMania weekend than ever.

There are a few major reasons why the Hall of Fame ceremony has lost some of its luster. As WrestleMania week has become a destination for promotions from the United States and abroad, fans have to make difficult decisions on how they’re going to spend their time and money.

WON NEWSLETTER: April 9, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Massive Wrestlemania weekend preview

A preview of WrestleMania week leads off this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Read notes on the business for the week, how the business of WrestleMania has changed, what records are going to be set, a look at how fans changed the week, matches changed over the past few weeks, notes on surprises, and who is scheduled.

Have a look at the HBO Last Week Tonight segment on WWE. It starts with a story about Sherri Martel that is important to understanding a key issue involved here. Look at how the business has changed, what has also stayed the same, and why wrestling talent doesn’t get the benefit of the amount of revenue they drive compared to major sports and entertainment stars.

Also look at the 2019-2020 WWE arena schedule. Look at the foreign tours, the update on Saudi Arabia shows, and house shows that are in danger of being canceled because of the next Saudi Arabia show.

Read about the future of Linda McMahon after leaving Trump’s Cabinet and the position she was up for, the story behind the death of the AAF, Vince McMahon’s XFL plans, how much money Vince has earmarked for the XFL, why one analyst thinks stock will hit $157 per share, and thoughts on upcoming TV deals.

Read coverage of this past week’s UFC show in Philadelphia with match-by-match coverage and business notes on the show.

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

  • The WWE Performance Center’s YouTube account uploaded an emotional video with Tommaso Ciampa discussing his neck injury, becoming a father, and the issues he and his wife Jessie Whitney faced when trying to start a family. Whitney and Johnny Gargano are also featured in the video, which is the first of a two-part series.
  • Rey Mysterio posted video of the moment he injured his ankle against Baron Corbin on Raw. Mysterio wrote that he’s praying he’ll be ready to challenge for Samoa Joe’s United States title at WrestleMania: “Suffered an injury on my right ankle this past Monday night on Raw against @baroncorbinwwe Praying to be ready for Mania this Sunday!”
  • A new WWE Hall of Fame statue will be unveiled at WrestleMania Axxess tomorrow night. WWE noted that Ric Flair, Sting, Ricky Steamboat, and Brutus Beefcake will be in attendance.
  • Members of the WWE roster will be appearing on tonight’s episode of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
  • Yahoo Sports has an interview with Kofi Kingston ahead of WrestleMania. The Undefeated also has a story on Kingston and him potentially becoming the fourth black Heavyweight Champion in WWE.
  • Charlotte Flair spoke to the Sporting News about the WrestleMania 35 main event.
  • Triple H and Stephanie McMahon met with Rick Rubin in the latest video on Triple H’s Road to WrestleMania.
  • WWE Network News reported that the WrestleMania II, III, and IV press conferences, a Papa Shango vs. Tito Santana dark match from WrestleMania IX, and what seems to be two unaired Superstars segments will be tomorrow’s additions to the Network’s Hidden Gems section.
  • Mustafa Ali, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Seth Rollins, Lince Dorado, AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, Ricochet, Brian Kendrick, Rey Mysterio, Sonjay Dutt, Cedric Alexander, Kid Mikaze, Aiden English, and Drake Maverick sent a video message (part one and two) to Amazing Red after he announced his retirement.
  • Linda McMahon was backstage at this week’s Raw in Washington D.C.
  • Two spots in WWE’s April Peformance Center tryout have been opened up for applications from former AAF players.
  • WWE uploaded Seth Rollins vs. The Miz vs. Finn Balor for the Intercontinental title from last year’s WrestleMania.

Pro Wrestling

UFC/MMA

  • Ariel Helwani tweeted that Ben Askren vs. Jorge Masvidal is close to being finalized for UFC 239 in Las Vegas on July 6: “Ben Askren vs. Jorge Masvidal is very close to being finalized for UFC 239 on July 6, per sources. All three parties have agreed to the date and it’s expected to be signed shortly.”
  • Alistair Overeem vs. Aleksei Oleinik will now be the main event of the UFC’s Fight Night show in St. Petersburg, Russia on April 20. Alexander Volkov was originally supposed to face Overeem.
  • Eddie Alvarez issued a statement on losing his ONE debut to Timofey Nastyukhin.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: WWE WrestleMania 21

Ed in San Antonio presents the WRESTLEMANIAWeekend Event:

  • Saturday, April 6th, at 12:00 pm: Lunch (all you can eat) at Churrascaria Plataforma ($90 per person), located at 316 W. 49th street in Manhattan. Purchase tickets here~!

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