Daily Update: UFC 232 fallout, Dunne & Bate, Naomi Yoshimura

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Looking at WWE’s promise of change

After promising change, the challenge for WWE going forward is to make a real commitment to that instead of having it be a short-term ratings fix. Those vague promises of change were made during the opening segment of last Monday’s episode of Raw. Following two straight weeks of record-low ratings — with the first of them even being brought up on WWE television as Seth Rollins said Baron Corbin was the reason for the ratings dip — it was advertised that Vince McMahon would return to “shake things up.” Vince appeared and brought out Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, and Shane McMahon. WWE oddly blurred the lines between kayfabe and reality, with the McMahons also blaming Raw’s issues on Corbin. 

WON NEWSLETTER: December 31, 2018 Observer Newsletter: Jon Jones testing controversy, more

The most in-depth reporting on the Jon Jones case is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

This article tries to break down the time line, what the realities of drug testing are, what is misleading, why the show was moved, why the show had no reason to be moved, the limits on what drug testing can detect and how many statements over the past week have been double-talk, & the fishy parts of the case.

Also look at previous Jones tests and the controversy prior to the first Cormier fight that nobody talks about and why it was controversial. Go through the Tom Lawlor and Tim Sylvia cases.

Look at the new Impact TV deal, what is Pursuit TV, what options Impact had, comparing the homes that the different wrestling TV shows are in, & why it’s important for Anthem to keep Impact alive.

Read a rundown of WWE’s biggest annual house show of the year, the holiday show at Madison Square Garden. This issue has match-by-match coverage with star ratings and business notes, as well as appearances by Vince McMahon and John Cena, and Ronda Rousey being put in the main event.

Look at discussions regarding what could be the main event at WrestleMania and different angles on the match, the future of the top of the women’s division, more on Smackdown on FOX next year,

Look at Dragon Gate’s Final Gate show, its last major show of the year. Run down the show and talk of the future and update business for that promotion.

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.)

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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • NXT UK’s Pete Dunne tweeted that he finished his time on the British indie scene at PROGRESS Wrestling’s Unboxing Live show today: “Finished my time on the British independent scene tonight. Closing out a week that saw me in New York, Germany, Spain and London. 13 years that I wouldn’t change for anything, on to the next chapter”
  • PROGRESS co-owner and NXT UK’s Jim Smallman also tweeted about Dunne and Tyler Bate finishing up: “Thank you @PeteDunneYxB. Thank you @Tyler_Bate . For everything you’ve done in @ThisIs_Progress and for British wrestling in general. The sky is the limit for you both.
    Scary how talented you both are. (I will not miss being flicked with towels and having coats thrown at me)”
  • WWE.com ranked their top 25 matches of 2018. Here are the top 10:
    Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair in a last woman standing match for the SmackDown Women’s Championship (Evolution)
    Tommaso Ciampa vs. Johnny Gargano in a Chicago Street Fight (NXT TakeOver: Chicago)
    Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Bryan (Survivor Series)
    The Undisputed Era (Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong) vs. Moustache Mountain (Tyler Bate & Trent Seven) for the NXT Tag Team titles (July 11 episode of NXT TV)
    Seth Rollins vs. The Miz for the Intercontinental title (Backlash)
    Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre for the Raw Tag Team titles (Hell in a Cell)
    Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Johnny Gargano for the NXT Championship (NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia)
    John Cena vs. Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins vs. The Miz vs. Finn Balor vs. Braun Strowman vs. Elias in a gauntlet match (February 19 episode of Raw)
    Ronda Rousey & Kurt Angle vs. Stephanie McMahon & Triple H (WrestleMania 34)
    The New Day vs. The Bludgeon Brothers in a no DQ match for the SmackDown Tag Team titles (August 22 episode of SmackDown)
  • Nia Jax responded to a tweet from WWE that said “There’s no denying it. The women of @WWE BROUGHT IT in 2018!” and only included pictures of white women.
  • Seth Rollins is partnering with 392 Caffe to open a coffee shop in Davenport, Iowa in early 2019.
  • WWE’s YouTube account uploaded AJ Styles and John Cena’s WWE Championship match from Royal Rumble 2017.
  • Kevin Owens appears to have gotten new tattoos on his arm.

Pro Wrestling

UFC/MMA

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Vader wins WCW World title

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