Daily Update: UFC weekend notes, Brandi Rhodes, Brian Cage

DAILY UPDATE

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Recapping WWE Stomping Grounds

After a lack of interest heading into the pay-per-view, Stomping Grounds was a show that exceeded expectations.

Given that there weren’t really any surprises at the PPV, that’s probably mostly due to expectations being set too low. Nothing on the show was dramatically better than it should have been. The PPV succeeded where most good WWE shows do. Even if the build was underwhelming, a talented roster was able to go out to the ring and have good matches throughout much of the card.

WON NEWSLETTER: July 8, 2019 Observer Newsletter: The life and death of Perro Aguayo

With a gigantic week of news, we’ve got a double issue of the Observer this week, leading off with a look at the career of Perro Aguayo, one of the biggest drawing cards in pro wrestling history.

We look at his career highlights, the feud that made him a superstar, the big rivalries and big business booms he was part of, his most famous matches, the formation of AAA and his biggest career wins.

We also have more on Eric Bischoff and Paul Heyman leading brands going forward.  We look at the angles on Raw and whose fingerprints were on what, the level of power they look to have, why this move was made, Wall Street’s reaction to the move, how AEW fits into the picture, the audience they are trying to get back the Raw ratings increase that didn’t hold for Smackdown, Heyman and Bischoff talk about their new positions, when Bischoff starts and an analysis of Heyman’s first moves.

We also look at AEW’s Fyter Fest, the chair shot, the preshow, the business numbers, comparisons with WWE and UFC programming, match by match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

We also look at why the U.K. November tour is being rapidly changed, the Evolve special on WWE Network, Stomping Grounds business update, the story behind David Starr stomping on WWE tile belt and WWE reaction, Performance Center news, most-watched shows on the WWE Network and a rundown with business notes on all the WWE arena events this past week.

We also look at the career of Jacques Rougeau Sr, one of the biggest stars in Montreal wrestling history.  We look at the history of the Rougeau family, how Jacques got into wrestling, why he quit at first, what brought him back, how role in making the career of Ivan Koloff, his sons getting into wrestling, his biggest matches, his Jarry Stadium main event, the first $100,000 gate in Canada, and the Rougeaus feud with the Garvins.

We also look at WWE’s tour of Japan this past week, with notes on both shows and business notes as well.

We run through New Japan’s tour of Australia, with business notes , Southern Showdown match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results and the Ospreay-Eagles match.

We also update Extreme Rules with matches announced and others that could be added.

We’ve also got full coverage of UFC in Minneapolis including detailed business notes.

We’ve got a rundown on ROH Bet in the World from Baltimore, with business notes, match-by-match coverage and star ratings.

We also look at the changing television situation in the U.K. with the WWE’s new deal with BT Sports and AEW’s new deal.

We look at the TripleMania card and the unique team of Cody & Psycho Clown & Cain Velasquez.  There’s also notes from Killer Kross, who is training Velasquez.

We also look at the wrestling career of Yoshiaki Yatsu, who had his leg amputated over the past week.  We look at his 1980s heyday when he was one of the best in the world, why he was important in history, his amateur background and his famous Pride match with Gary Goodridge.

We also look at the death of Jerry Seltzer, the famed Roller Derby promoter, how that game worked, how it exploded in popularity, why it died off, and Seltzer’s later role in the ticketing business.

We also run down the ratings of all the major TV shows, along with detailed demo info for the WWE shows.

We also have the 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.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

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.

THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

As would be expected, AAA ran a tribute to Perro Aguayo Sr. at their show in San Luis Potosi last night.  It would be a lock that CMLL does something similar tomorrow night.

With the deaths and the operation to Yoshiaki Yatsu, there is a ton of history in the new Observer.  Pat Laprade did a great piece on the life of Jacques Rougeau Sr., and there is also piece on Yatsu, Perro Aguayo and Roller Derby promoter Jerry Seltzer. 

UFC has its seasonal press conference at 5:30 p.m. Eastern and 2:30 p.m. local time tomorrow with Dana White, Max Holloway, Frankie Edgar, Daniel Cormier, Stipe Miocic, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier.

The UFC Hall of Fame ceremony is tomorrow night at the Pearl at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas.  Being honored are Rich Franklin, Michael Bisping and Rashad Evans plus the incredible Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida fight, which was held in that very building.

    People have been talking the past 24 hours about this promo by Brandi Rhodes as one of the best of the year.

    Due to political issues, Daga is replacing Brian Cage in teaming with Taurus against Cody & MJF on the AAA TV tapings on 7/18 in Aguascalientes.

    WWE

    • Booker T, after agreeing to come, has pulled out of All Out.  He evidently said when pulling out that he found out the WWE vs. AEW war was very real and he didn’t want to be in the middle of it.  I’ve been told to expect another major counter by WWE shortly.
    • There are no WWE house shows tomorrow night.  Both crews start Saturday.  Both Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley are still advertised for TV on Monday and Strowman for the house shows.  For the Smackdown crew, Daniel Bryan & Rey Mysterio aren’t advertised.  Roman Reigns is only advertised for Monday in Glens Falls and Tuesday in Manchester, NH. Randy Orton is advertised for all the Smackdown shows.  There is a Monday Smackdown house show that hasn’t been canceled with most of the top stars including Reigns to appear.
    • Parma, OH mayor Tim DeGetter named yesterday “Mike the Miz Day” in the city where Miz grew up.  He also visited his old high school Normandy High yesterday.
    • Zack Ryder, Curt Hawkins, Becky Lynch, Kofi Kingston and Rey Mysterio will be appearing on 7/18 at the San Diego Comic Con at 11:15 a.m. in Room 6A.  There will also be an autograph session at the Mattel booth and Kingston will be at the Insight Editions booth on 7/19 at 1 p.m. signing copies of the WWE Official Cookbook.
    • WWE has a two-for-one ticket offer out for the 7/14 Extreme Rules show at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

    UFC

    • UFC is working on a rematch with Paul Felder vs. Edson Barboza for the 9/7 show in Abu Dhabi.  MMA Junkie reported that earlier today.  Barboza beat Felder via decision in a 2015 fight.
    • Some of the winners of the World MMA Awards from Fighters Only from the show yesterday at the Pearl at the Palms in Las Vegas:Fighter of the Year – Daniel Cormier
      Female Fighter of the Year – Amanda Nunes
      International Fighter of the Year – Aung La Nsang
      Fight of the Year – Tony Ferguson vs. Anthony Pettis
      Knockout of the Year – Amanda Nunes over Cris Cyborg (can’t believe Yair Rodriguez didn’t win this one)
      Submission of the Year – Zabit Magomedsharipov over Brandon Davis
      Comeback of the Year – Angela Lee
      Upset of the Year – Amanda Nunes over Cris Cyborg
      Coach of the Year – Mike Brown
      Best Promotion- UFC
      Analyst of the Year – Daniel Cormier
      Best Media Source – MMA Fighting
      Journalist of the Year – Ariel Helwani

    MISCELLANEOUS

    • Bein Sports has an all-day MLW marathon going on today until 12:30 a.m.
    • There will be a tribute to Gene Kiniski on Sunday at Kiniski’s Reef Tavern in Point Roberts, WA starting at 5 p.m.  His son Nick & Kelly Kiniski will MC the event with James Cybulski from Sportnet 650 AM in Vancouver.  Admission is free.  Kiniski, nicknamed Canada’s greatest athlete, was one of the biggest stars in pro wrestling history worldwide, including holding the NWA title from 1966-69.  For more info, check here. (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)
    • C.M. Punk is being heavily featured in the trailer for the movie “Rabid” directed by Jen and Sylvia Soska.  The movie premiers in August at FightFest in London, UK.
    • Tomorrow night’s King of Indies show in Daly City, CA has only a few tickets left at the door.  This is a one-night tournament which includes the first-ever Dragon Lee vs Laredo Kid match in the first round.
    • Low Ki vs. Ricky Martinez has been added to Saturday’s MLW show at Cicero, IL Stadium.
    • Combate Americas runs 8/23 at Harvey’s in Lake Tahoe, NV on Univision, Univision Deportes and DAZN.  The company’s bantamweight title will be at stake with champion Gustavo Lopez (10-4-1) facing Joey Ruquet (7-1) and the first featherweight champion will be crowned with Andres Quintana (18-2) vs. Bruno Cannetti (8-6).  Quintana is coming off winning an eight-man one-night tournament on 12/7.
    • David Starr vs. Matt Sydal vs. Rory Gulak vs. Rabbi Swiss headlines an 8/26 show for the IPWA in Israel.
    • Scarlett Bordeaux vs.Xena vs. Nikki Van Blair will be on an FWA show in Sydney,Australia on 7/28.  On 7/27, Bordeaux & Slade Mercer vs. Keegan Brettle & Jasmin Vottora takes place for Kingdom Pro Wrestling in Newcastle, Australia.
    • Evolve on 7/14 in Melrose, MA has announced Austin Theory & Arturo Ruas vs. Josh Briggs & Orange Cassidy, Babatunde vs. Joe Gacy, JD Drake vs. AR Fox and a main event of Matt Riddle vs. Curt Stallion.
    • MCW’s annual Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup takes place 7/13 in Joppa, MD at the MCW Arena with Nick Aldis defending the NWA title against Dirty Money plus Dante Caballero vs. Drolix in an unsanctioned match.  First round of the Shamrock Cup has Brian Johnson vs. Kekoa, Marko Stunt vs. Jimmy Lloyd, Will Ferrara vs. Greg Excellent and Scarlett Bordeaux vs. VSK vs. Pat Buck.
    • Pro Wrestling Revolver on 8/23 in Dayton, OH with Tessa Blanchard vs. Daga, Jessicka Havok vs. Jimmy Havoc and more.
    • Pro Wrestling Revolver on 7/26 in Des Moines, IA at the Val Air Ballroom has Rhino & Tommy Dreamer & Jimmy Jacobs & Eddie Edwards vs. Sami Callihan & Jake Crist & Dave Crist & Mad Man Fulton in an extreme rules match, Larry D vs. Ace Romero for the Revolver title, Besties in the World vs,. Rich Swann & Jason Cade vs,. Ethan Page & Josh Alexander for the tag titles plus Caleb Konley vs. Andy Dalton and Killer Kross vs. JT Dunn.
    • Riho from AEW works 7/28 for PWR in Manila, The Philippines.
    • Pro Wrestling Phoenix on Friday at the Waiting Room Lounge in Omaha, NE.
    • Orange Cassidy works for PWA in Sydney Australia on 10/18 and 10/19.
    • IWF Tournament of Champions on 8/25 in Nutley, NJ at the RecCetner.  They also run 10/11 in Wayne, NJ at the PAL Building.
    • Greektown Wrestling on 8/8 in Toronto at 310 Danforth Ave.
    • Alpha-1 Wrestling on 7/21 in Hamilton, ONT  at the Knights of Columbus.
    • Rise runs a show on 9/1 at 5 p.m. in Berwyn, IL at the Eagles Club, the day after the All out show.  There will be an eight-woman tournament.

    Daily Pro Wrestling History: Lex Luger slams Yokozuna

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