Daily Update: UFC sale, WWE invades China, Bisping vs. Hendo 2

UFC for Sale

The big news of the day revolves around talk of a UFC sale. We have an updated story on it in the current issue of the Observer. At this point, there is no indication a sale has gone through but the bidding period is coming to a close with two new lead bidders, a joint bid of WME/IMG and the Dalian Wanda Media Group of China which reportedly includes the Kraft Family that owns the New England Patriots, and a group bid of a number of investors from China and Hong Kong. The bids are in the $4 billion range, give or take a little in either direction. More is available here. Bryan and I also talked about this extensively on last night’s Observer radio show.

We’re looking for reports on tonight’s NXT show in Bournemouth, UK at the International Centre as well as tomorrow’s show in Plymouth, UK at the Pavilion which ends the current week’s tour at NewsTips@WrestlingObserver.com.

SMACKDOWN TONIGHT AT 8 P.M. ON SYFY

  • Kofi Kingston vs. Big Cass vs. Aiden English vs. Luke Gallows
  • Zack Ryder vs. Baron Corbin
  • Rusev vs. Kalisto
  • Xavier Woods vs. A.J. Styles
  • Charlotte vs. Natalya
  • Sami Zayn & Cesaro & Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens & Alberto De Rio & Chris Jericho

Going against the Warriors vs. Cavaliers game, which starts at 9 p.m., or against the second hour of Smackdown, tonight’s rating is likely to be very low.

THE ROUND-UP

The 10th annual Wrestling Observer/F4W convention in Las Vegas takes place during UFC’s International Fight Week from July 7 – 11.EdinSanAntonio has information up on Facebook, or you can email him at F4Wfan@hotmail.com (Apparently Ed has blocked Bryan Alvarez from attendance in response to Bryan blocking Ed on Twitter… LOL) – It’s always a fun time, so hurry up and make your plans to join Dave Meltzer, Bryan Alvarez (yes he’ll be there), Vinny, Granny, and the rest of the group in beautiful Las Vegas this July.

Our “lunch with Granny” is good-to-go at Johnny Rockets (in Excalibur), just like last year, on Saturday July 9th, at 11:30 a.m. local time. We have the “patio area” reserved for us. We’ve also been granted 10% discounts. Just tell the cashier that you’re a part of “Granny’s Gang!” And of course… the star of this event, Ms. Gladys Gibson, just has to show up and be her charming self, and she eats for FREE! See y’all in about three weeks!

​If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our Youtube page! No full video shows, but lots of video clips, full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!

Figure Four Weekly 6/13/2016: Gawker files for bankruptcy – Depending on your point of view, Hulk Hogan went one step further towards either succeeding or failing in his lawsuit against Gawker Media last Friday when the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the type that allows the company to continue operating. 

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

READ IT HERE: June 20, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: UFC 199/NXT Takeover reviews, UFC ownership bidding ending soon, more

This week’s Observer has a major story on the gamble of Brock Lesnar in UFC 200, the most in-depth look at the Ariel Helwani situation that you’ll find anywhere, full coverage of NXT Takeover, UFC 199, WWE Money in the Bank, and the details of TNA’s struggle to stay alive, its PPV and its future. There’s also a breakdown on the WWE cruiserweight classic, and monthly WWE and TNA business figures.

Take a look at Michael Bisping’s unlikely title win, all the ramifications of the Lesnar deal, what it shows about WWE, a look back at the last time WWE risked one of their stars against an outsider without scripting, how Ariel Helwani got to be a star reporter and how that played into what happened last week, and what aspects of the story that are really more important that haven’t been covered or have been overlooked, all covered in this week’s issue.

WWE looks at the possibility of adding PPV shows and the good and bad of that decision-making, and some economics of that decision. 

A key WWE musician passes away, more on what Ali learned from pro wrestling, Bryan Danielson attends WWE event, Bobby Roode’s debut, notes on SummerSlam, new WWE executive hire, new WWE announcer, WWE looking for new members of creative, who is expected to return shortly, another animated WWE movie, update on Paul Heyman plus a full rundown on all the WWE & NXT live events this past week and business notes on the shows, in this edition.

Take a look at the background of the NXT Takeover show, the debut of Andrade Cien Almas and what did and didn’t work, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

For UFC 199, we look at the state of the middleweight title, how everything lines up, whom Michael Bisping wants next, as well as match-by-match coverage along with pay records for those on the show.

Finally, read how TNA saved its recent TV tapings and PPV, why they were close to not happening, where money came from, and what to look out for in the future. Plus, check out Slammiversary with match-by-match coverage and star ratings.

Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

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Check out the latest online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: May 10, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Fans celebrate life of Giant Baba at Tokyo Dome, PRIDE 5 recap, more. The final chapter in the career and life of Shohei Baba took place on the biggest show he ever main evented and the biggest show he ever promoted–some three months after his death.

THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

We’ll be doing shows both Saturday and Sunday nights, Saturday right after UFC ends and Sunday for Money in the Bank and Dominion.  

There are three major events this weekend, with a UFC show on Saturday which will be split between Fight Pass, FS 2 and FS 1, WWE’s Money in the bank on Sunday, and New Japan’s Dominion, probably its third biggest event of the year, taking place starting at2:30 a.m. Eastern time late Saturday night/early Sunday morning.

WWE stock went up 74 cents per share today to close at $18.55, due to the announcement about getting streaming into China.

Michael Bisping heavily was pushing the idea of a fight with Dan Henderson on UFC Tonight last night, saying it would be his last chance to face him and get revenge before Henderson is likely to retire. Henderson hasn’t wanted to face Bisping again, saying there is no upside to it, but now with the middleweight title in the picture, there is a big upside.

WWE

  • Keep in mind that this early this means nothing, but here are the odds for Sunday’s Money in the Bank courtesy of Bovada.lv.

Roman Reigns -375

Seth Rollins +240

A.J. Styles -200

John Cena +150

Kevin Owens -140

Dean Ambrose +250

Chris Jericho +600

Cesaro +900

Sami Zayn +1800

Alberto Del Rio +2500

New Day -160

Gallows & Anderson +200

Enzo & Cass +550

Vaudevillains +1800

Rusev -650

Titus O’Neil +375

UFC

  • Cortney Casey vs. Cristina Stanciu in a strawweight fight has been added to the 7/13 show in Sioux Falls, SD.
  • Nik Lentz vs. Mairbek Taisumov in a lightweight fight has been added to UFC 203 on 9/10 in Cleveland.
  • Several new matches were announced last night for the UFC show on 8/6 in Salt Lake City including:

Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Cub Swanson

Court McGee vs. Dominque Steele

Zak Cummings vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio

Viktor Pesta vs. Marcin Tybura

Chris Camozzi vs. Thales Leites

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Evolve has announced an 8/20 show in Brooklyn at Saint Finbar’s Roman Catholic Church, which will be hours before the NXT show that night at the Barclays Center.   
  • Kevin Sullivan appeared in an ROH video with Steve Corino regarding his match with B.J. Whitmer.
  • Supreme Lee Great, real name Jon Trosky, a student of Afa and owner of Sanctuary Wrestling out of Hazelton, PA came out as gay in a Facebook post after the shootings in Orlando. He also admitted that he was the person who used the name “Angry Wrestling Vet” on Facebook and Twitter.
  • There will be a Shine iPPV tomorrow night from Ybor City, FL at The Orpheum at www.wwn.com and The Fite App with Taylor Made defending the Shine title against Shimmer champion Madison Eagles and TNA champion Allysin Kay (Sienna). The loser of the fall loses their title to the winner of the fall. Also Marti Belle & Jayme Jameson vs. Evie & Shazza McKenzie, Kellie Skater vs. Mia Yim (Jade in TNA) vs. Santana Garrett vs. Nicole Matthews, Su Yung vs. Kay Lee Ray, Rachel Ellering vs. Tessa Blanchard and Kellyanne vs. Chelsea Green.
  • World Series of Fighting tomorrow night at 9 p.m. Eastern on NBC Sports Network, meaning it goes head-to-head with Bellator on Spike, with John Howard (23-12) vs. Mike Arrant (15-10), just added. The other main card fights have Blagoy Ivanov defending the heavyweight title against Josh Copeland, Jason High vs. Mike Ricci, Luis Palomino vs. Sheymon Moraes and Phil Hawkes vs. Josh Key.
  • Bellator is in Fresno tomorrow at the SaveMart Arena with Marcos Galvao (17-6-1) defending the bantamweight title against Eduardo Dantas (17-4), Thiago Jambo (18-4) vs. Chidi Njokuani (14-4), Brandon Halsey (9-1) vs. John Salter (11-3) and Chris Honeycutt (7-1) vs. Mikkel Parlo (13-2).
  • CHIKARA from Saturday night in Philadelphia: Amasis & Ophidian won four-way over Princess Kimber Lee & Heidi Lovelace, Proletariat Boar of Moldova & Parakash Sabar and Arctic Rescue Ant & Pinkie Sanchez, Jigsaw b Oleg the Usurper, Icarus b Missile Assault Man, Jaka b Eddie Kingston-DQ, Hallowicked & Obaryion & Kodama b Fire Ant & Race Jaxon & Hype Rockwell, Mark Angelosetti b Juan Francisco de Coronado in a no DQ match with Dasher Hatfield as referee (thanks to Michael Langan)
  • In Your Face Wrestling from Saturday night in Delanson, NY: Eric Emanon & Thomas  Brewington b Spectacular JC & Five Star Jase, Sgt. Fury b Steve Kruz, Bob Evans b Garrett Holiday, Ryan Rogan b Foxx Vinyer, Bob Evans & Chip Stetson b Trip & Lenn Oddity, Marco & Tequila Rose and Alex Cross & Mystify, Elite b Sgt Fury-DQ, Cassius Cutcher & Drake Evans b Ricky Williams & High Voltage Omar, Roman Dominguez & Salvator Morocco and Liam McFeerrin & Lucain Caiker Kongo Kong over Rob Coleman and Nick Westgate, Bobby Ocean b HC Loc
  • Thrash Wrestling on 6/24 in Vernon, BC at the Schubert Centre.
  • Prairie Wrestling Alliance Night of Champions on 6/25 in Calgary at the Century Casino.
  • Acclaim Pro Wrestling on 7/9 in Ottawa at the SPK Dom Polski Polish Combatants Centre.
  • Battlear 36 on 7/31 in Montreal at Les Foufounes Electriques.
  • Capital City Championship Combat on 6/25 in Ottawa at the Vanier Columbus Club. 
  • Old Time Wrestling on Saturday night in Williamstown, NJ at the Monroe Business Park.
  • IWF on 6/25, 7/2, 7/26 and 7/23 at the IWF Center in Nutley, NJ.
  • AIW on 7/22 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Cleveland.
  • Saturday night in Mexicali, Mexico at the Ginmasio Municipal has Dr. Wagner Jr. & Pagano & La Parka vs. The Psycho Circus plus Damian 666 & Bestia 666 & Iron Boy vs. Averno & Chessman & Dinamico.
  • Damien Sandow, Johnny Mundo and Ryan Nemeth (the younger brother of Dolph Ziggler) are working together on a comedy show no 7/12 at the Second City Theater in Hollywood, CA.
  • Don “The Dragon” Wilson, the actor and former UFC announcer will join King Mo, Benson Henderson, Stitch Duran, Randy Couture and Wanderlei Silva at the Bellator Fan Fest on 6/23 at Dave & Buster’s in Maryland Heights, MO at 8 p.m., the night before the Bellator Dynamite combined MMA and kickboxing show at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. 
  • Bellator has also announced a show on 8/26 in Southaven, MS at the Landers Center.
  • Hoosier Pro Wrestling on 7/2 in Columbus, IN at the parking lot of Aaron’s at 2675 N. National Road. It’s a benefit for the local food bank. Admission is free with six cans of food per person. Bring your own lawn chairs. 
  • Maryland Championship Wrestling’s Base Brawl on Saturday night in Waldorf, MD at the Regency Furniture Stadium with Billy Gunn & X-Pac vs. Joe Keys & Rob Locke, plus King McBride vs. The Bruiser with Ron Simmons as the guest enforcer.
  • National Fighting Championships no 7/22 at Electric Cowboy in Kennesaw, GA and 8/27 in Atlanta at Center Stage.

TODAY IN PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING HISTORY: Assassins win Georgia Tag Titles; Money Inc wins WWF Tag Team Titles