Daily Update: UFC 244 fallout, Kenny Omega, Dragon Gate

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: AEW’s non-wrestling segment balancing act Joseph Currier looks at AEW’s balance of matches and talking segments over its first four weeks on TNT.

Four weeks into the promotion’s existence on weekly television, one of AEW’s biggest strengths has also been a bit of a balancing act for them.

Alternatives to WWE have long tried to present themselves as having “less talk, more action.” While WWE is still too reliant on a TV format that was carried by Steve Austin and The Rock and struggles without stars of that caliber, there was a time when that was a more valid criticism than it currently is. The days of WWE programming always opening up with a monotonous 20-minute promo segment from a heel authority figure are gone for now. This decade has seen WWE totally overhaul its hiring practices, bringing the level of the company’s in-ring action higher than it’s ever been.

Finding the right balance between non-wrestling segments and matches is vital. But while WWE has had problems with finding the right mix, the biggest issue is that their talking segments too often just haven’t been very good. They’re overly scripted and rarely accomplish their goal of getting fans more interested in the match they’re supposed to be building. Tons of the most iconic moments in pro wrestling history happened outside of matches. People don’t dislike promos — they dislike bad ones.

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WON NEWSLETTER: November 4, 2019 Observer Newsletter: WWE financials, Crown Jewel, more

In a crazy week, we’ve got the most detailed look at the business of pro wrestling in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Our lead story updates the WWE business with the key notes from the quarter, why the stock took a big plunge even though profits were above expectations, the key things the market is worried about with the company, and the very different key things regarding brand popularity that I see as major warning signs. 

We cover in-depth the consumer business, tickets, WWE Network, merchandise and more, good news on television ratings, why we know house shows are down but it’s hard to fairly gauge how much, the decline of NXT live and how every other consumer spending category is doing.

The new issue also covers: 

Crown Jewel, the women’s match and its ramifications and why it went the way it did, why Lesnar vs. Velasquez went the way it did, look at the key stories coming out of the show, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

The build for Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal and on UFC 244 and the ramifications of the key fights, the ticket demand for the show and more on Dwayne Johnson at the show.

John Cena’s philanthropy, changes in Survivor Series plans, original plan for Tyson Fury and why it was changed, Xavier Woods update, HHH looks at how the way they do call-ups from NXT has changed and how it works now, Seth Rollins complains about the fans and what is and isn’t legit, WWE reaction to Smackdown ratings, notes on ticket sales for the five shows in Chicago at the end of the month including AEW television and the demand, DVR viewership for Raw, Hulu viewership for WWE shows, WrestleMania tickets, notes on the next Takeover show, WWE Backstage notes, WWE international TV notes, notes on Carolina on Raw and her long-term role, coach quits PC and new coach hired, all-women’s house show, DVD changes, new name for giant, value of WWE stock and the most-watched shows on the WWE Network, and all the WWE arena events over the past week with results, highlights and business notes.

Kenny Omega entrance video and the Sans connection that appeared on AEW television this week.  It’s a look at what it is and what it isn’t.

Albert Hardie Jr., situation with WWE, the T-shirt, and far more about the situation including his comments, WWE’s comments and much more about it.

Television business and 18-49 demos and look at the expense and future value of the different wrestling television shows, the platform, the night, the rights fees and more for UFC, WWE and AEW.

UFC show from Singapore.

WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.

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. 

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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I recorded the weekend show going in depth about the problems with the WWE getting talent out of Saudi Arabia and a lot of reactions from talent. We also covered last night’s UFC show.

As far as trending searches go on Google, Daylight Savings time was first yesterday, but UFC 244 was second with 2.1 million. Canelo Alvarez was No. 4 with 2 million. What’s notable is that nothing from WWE cracked the list. Crown Jewel on Thursday would be the first WWE PPV not to crack the list even with the Lesnar vs. Velasquez main event. Nothing regarded the problems getting talent back cracked the list, although that story really didn’t get out anywhere of note. But the great Smackdown show on Friday didn’t either.

Even though Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal talked about doing a rematch, and Diaz claimed he didn’t lose, and was talking all kinds of stuff about Dwayne Johnson for congratulating Masvidal, Dana White said he wasn’t interested. He felt Masvidal won cleanly and said when he saw Diaz’s face after the fight, he saw how bad the cut was and felt it was a legit stoppage. One would think Masvidal gets a shot at the Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington winner.

Kenny Omega & Riho beat Antonio Honda & Miyu Yamashita on the DDT show earlier today at Sumo Hall in Tokyo. While Omega worked for DDT, Chris Jericho sent in a video to New Japan to set up a 1/5 Tokyo Dome match with Hiroshi Tanahashi.

MLW last night announced an alliance with AAA, which would mean AAA has alliance with AEW, MLW and Impact.

Dragon Gate’s big show in Osaka tonight on its network will have English commentary by Larry Dallas and Lenny Leonard. Ben K vs. Masato Yoshino for the Open the Dream Gate title is the main event. Dallas and Leonard also do commentary on this coming Thursday’s show at Korakuen Hall.

WWE

  • John Cena will be appearing on Late Night with Seth Myers at 12:30 a.m. Thursday night on NBC talking his new movie “Playing with Fire” that opens this coming weekend.
  • Hulk Hogan and Carlos Colon will both be special guests on ABC’s The Goldbergs on a wrestling-themed show. They’ve had Bill Goldberg on the show in the past. 
  • Lacey Evans kicks off season 20 of Military Makeover airing on Friday night on Lifetime.
  • Becky Lynch replaced Alexa Bliss at today’s Ringside Fest 2019 at Times Square in New York.
  • A story on costuming Sasha Banks.
  • Tyson Kidd talks ring psychology.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • ICW Fear and Loathing Night 12 from today in Glasgow before about 750 fans:  Jordan Devlin b Kenny Williams, Alexander Dean b Aaron Echo, Sha Samuels & Jack Jester & Noam Dar b Kings of the North & Adam Maxted, Grado b Ravie Davie in a lumberjack match, Sami Callihan b BT Gunn, Kid Fite b Damien Dunn in a street fight, Viper & KLR b Angel Hayes & Xia Brookside, Liam Thompson b Wolfgang to keep the Zero G title (thanks to Jordan Clark)
  • Dragon Lee was announced for Expo Lucha on 8/15 and 8/16 in Philadelphia at the 2300 Arena.  Also announced are Dr. Wagner Jr., Tinieblas Jr., Octagon, Solar, Pirata Morgan, Mascarita Dorada, Psicosis, Juventud Guerrera, Super Crazy, Mr. Aguila and Laredo Kid.
  • Bar Wrestling from Halloween night in Baldwin Park, CA:  Heather Monroe & Katarina Waters & Christina Von Eerie b Watts & Rust Taylor & BHK, Orange Cassidy (dressed as Priscilla Kelly) b Priscilla Kelly (dressed as Orange Cassidy), Ashley Vox & Delmi Exo (dressed as The Young Bucks) b Jake Atlas & Dom Kubrick (dressed up as characters from SpongeBob), Brian Cage b Kris Statlander, Nicole Savoy & Ruby Raze b Tyler Bateman & Andy Brown, Addy Starr b Joey Ryan in a Lego death match.  Next show is 11/6 in Los Angeles at the Bootleg Theater with the debut of 17-year-old Rok-C, who is gaining popularity in Texas, facing Ryan, Atlas vs. Effy, Nick Gage vs. Kikutaro and more. (thanks to Shannon Walsh and wrestlingwithdemons.net) 
  • Robbie Eagles vs Emman the Kid is booked for MCW on 11/9 in Melbourne, Australia.  Gino Gambino and Bad Luck Fale are also on that show.
  • Rise on Friday night from Berwyn, IL:  Zan Phoenix b Bel Pierce, Elayna Black & Hawlee Cromwell b Dust & Ash, Lindsay Snow b Thunderkitty, Mercedes Martinez & Miranda Alize b Ashley Vox & Delmi Exo, Candy Lee b Jamie Senegal, Taya Valkyrie b Allysin Kay in a no DQ or count out match, Jessicka Havok & Nevaeh b Charli Evans & Jessica Troy, Cassandro b Saraya Knight with Colt Cabana as referee, Kylie Rae won ladder match over Priscilla Kelly, Hyan, Ruby Raze, Jesus Bryce and Jake Atlas, Big Swole b Laynie Luck to keep Phoenix of Rise title, Shotzi Blackheart b Rosemary in a no holds barred match.  This is Blackheart’s last match with the promotion since she’s going to WWE. (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
  • Shimmer from yesterday in Berwyn, IL
    114: Lady Frost b Jenna Lynn, Kris Statlander b Marti Belle , Charli Evans b Bel Pierce, Ashley Vox & Delmi Exo b Hot Scoop Skylar & Davienne, Hyan b Brittany Blake, Kimber Lee b Nevaeh, Saraya Knight b Ruby Raze, Priscilla Kelly b Shazza McKenzie, Kelly Anne won six-way over Jessicka Havok, Su Yung, Allysin Kay,Jessica Troy and Solo Darling, Shotzi Blackheart b Dust, Mercedes Martinez & Cheerleader Melissa b Nicole Savoy & Big Swole to keep tag titles
    115: Jenna Lynn b Hawlee Cromwell, Ruby Raze b Nevaeh, Shazza McKenzie b Jody Threat, Charli Evans & Jessica Troy b Willow Nightingale & Solo Darling, Rhia O’Reilly b Veda Scott, Priscilla Kelly b Dust, Thunder Kitty b Lady Frost, Kimber Lee b Saraya Knight, Shotzi Blackheart b Holidead, Delmi Exo & Ashley Vox b Mercedes Martinez & Cheerleader Melissa to win tag titles, Nicole Savoy b Kelly Anne to keep Shimmer title (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
  • Shimmer results from today: Candy Lee b Jamie Senegal, Elayna Black b Sophie King, Zen Phoenix b Valentina Loca, Holidead b Veda Scott, Willow Nightingale & Solo Darling b Hot Scoop Skylar & Davienne, Su Yung b Thunder Kitty, Marti Belle b Shazza McKenzie, Dust b Kelly Anne, Jessicka Havok b Ruby Raze, Hyan won three-way over Rhia O’Reilly and Kris Statlander to become the Interim Heart of Shimmer champion, Mercedes Martinez b Big Swole, Ashley Vox & Delmi Exo b Charli Evans & Jessicka Troy to keep tag titles, Kimber Lee won elimination match over Nicole Savoy, Priscilla Kelly and Shotzi  Blackheart to win Shimmer title. They did a farewell to Blackheart after the match. (thanks to Thrang Thrang Gozxinbulx)
  • CWE on 11/11 in Saskatoon, SK at the Cosmo Civic Center with Jimmy Jacobs and Juventud Guerrera.
  • About 500 fans stayed after the Calgary Hitmen last night to see a PWA wrestling show on Bret Hart night. In a six-man tag match, Bran McGrattan, a former NHL player, was used at the ringside enforcer (thanks to Ryan Pike) 
  • Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling from last night in Swansea, IL:  Tony Chino b Dave Doll, Sean Vincent b Curt Gannon, Ricky Cruz b Jake Prater, Superstar Steve Fender b Billy McNeil, Shawn Santel & Mauler McDarby DCOR Big Texan & Waco, Damian Blade b Khayman, Ken Kasa & Christopher Hargas b PT Beckham & Chris Kade, Curtis Wylde b Gary Jackson, Flash Flanagan b Attila Khan in a no DQ match.  Arn Anderson, Barry Windham and J.J. Dillon were special guests at this show (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
  • Pro Wrestling Eve runs this coming Saturday and Sunday in London at Bethnal Green.  Jazz will be appearing on the shows.
  • A story on wrestling legend Johnny Valentine (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Daily Pro Wrestling History (11/03): Bobby Roode wins TNA World title

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