Daily Update: The Undertaker, Sammy Guevara, Being The Elite

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WON NEWSLETTER: June 22, 2020 Observer Newsletter: #SpeakingOut and the David Starr allegations, more

Coverage of an incredibly newsworthy week is the focus of this week’s double-issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

We look at what could be the end of the career of David Starr, his significance in wrestling, the charges made about him by an ex-girlfriend, his response, the response fro companies he was headlining for and a discussion of the bigger picture story and business history on the subject.

The new issue also has:

Most recent COVID-19 case in the WWE, how plans changed for WWE taping, the schedule going forward, the company’s policies on the subject of testing and fans how WWE’s reaction compares to other companies, the politicizing of the COVID story in Orange County and how things could change this week.  We also look at how every other company is handling the situation, Kevin Owens not wrestling at next week’s taping, a UFC fighter who just tested positive and a training partner pulled from this week’s who had problems at the Orlando Airport that all the wrestlers that don’t live in the area have to fly into.

More on the departure of Paul Heyman as the head of Raw. We look at Heyman’s goals, USA Network’s reaction, the previous difference between Raw and Smackdown, how Raw has already changed, how the booking this year on Raw had changed, how NXT looked different, as well as a look at how all the wrestling shows have done over the past month and actual drops both from late last year and from early this year in the COVID era.

Talent that was being featured that wasn’t this week and why.

A feature on New Japan Pro Wrestling opening up, talking about the first shows, plus New Japan Cup coverage with match-by-match and star ratings, and where the tournament goes this week.

One of the most significant issues in MMA, weight cutting,and how another sport handles the situation.

A feature on the stockholders lawsuit against WWE regarding Saudi Arabia including two secret witnesses and what they have said about the television negotiations and what really happened after the October show when talent couldn’t get out of the country.

Full coverage of Backlash, noting the Randy Orton vs. Edge match, match-by-match coverage with star ratings as well as poll results on the show.

More on the XFL’s demise, a huge story regarding TV rights and how it relates to WWE & AEW when their deals are up, Evolve not running new shows, WWE and new touring shows, new TV series based on the life of a wrestling star, Sports ratings for the past week, Canadian ratings for the past week, most-watched shows on WWE Network and WWE’s current market value.

Mustafa Ali talking the behavior of the police, replacement feud on Smackdown and why, Drew McIntyre talks current scene, the stalker returns to Performance Center, Randy Orton talks Tommaso Ciampa, Wade Barrett talks booking idea he was given, plus next week’s TV stuff.

Coverage of this past week’s UFC show.

A back of the book feature on Johnny “Mr. Wrestling II” Walker.  We’ve got his unbelievably long career title history, a look back at Georgia Wrestling in the 70s and 80s, his early days as Johnny Walker, how far masked wrestlers went to keep their identities secret, Jim Cornette talks the one time he saw him without his mask and working with him in Mid South, Les Thatcher talks their friendship clothes, the kneelift, the birth of the gimmick and it taking off, his famous match with Junkyard Dog in New Orleans, and his period as the No. 2 babyface in the 60s in an opposition promotion in New York.  We also look at his criminal record updated.

In-depth looks at the 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. 

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.

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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • To let those speaking out know they aren’t alone, Keith Lee shared a story that happened to him where his drink was apparently drugged by a woman he met at a bar.
  • After his Last Ride WWE Network series ended with him saying he has no desire to return to the ring at this point in his career, The Undertaker posted a brief tweet today thanking everyone.
  • Madison Square Garden thanked The Undertaker with a message on their marquee. MSG tweeted: “Delivering 30 years of legendary moments at The World’s Most Famous Arena. #ThankYouTaker @WWE”
  • Sports Illustrated has an interview with The Undertaker.
  • In an interview with Wrestling Inc, Ric Flair discussed the work Randy Orton is doing at this point in his career: “Well, I told Randy the other day. I said, ‘Randy, the matches I had that everybody likes so well, even though we had millions of them, were when I turned 40. I was 40 years old when Steamboat was 35. The trilogy, right?’ Randy just turned 40. I said, ‘You’re just turning 40 and you’re at the peak, you know.’ Randy has always been this good, but I think he is into it right now. He’s very, very, very involved with his family to that age that he’s wrestled so many people and been in the ring so much that he can call on everything he has seen and experienced and it’s right there. He doesn’t have to think about it. He’s just that plain good right now. It’s like Charlotte but in a shorter sequence of time.”
  • Xavier Woods, Breezango, Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Kevin Owens will appear on tomorrow’s episode of WWE’s The Bump.
  • Akira Tozawa won the 24/7 title from R-Truth on last night’s Raw.
  • Billie Kay turns 31 years old today. Peyton Royce wished her a happy birthday: “Life is meant for best friends & great adventures. You have given both to me over our many years together. I’m so lucky to have a best friend in you @billiekaywwe! I hope your day is as special as you are to me & 31 is even better than ever! You’re an amazing person with a heart of gold & I [love] you. Happy Birthday”
  • WWE’s YouTube channel uploaded Razor Ramon vs. 1-2-3 Kid from In Your House: 6 and Becky Lynch vs. Lacey Evans from Stomping Grounds 2019.

Other Wrestling

  • Sammy Guevara posted a video today issuing an apology to Sasha Banks and anyone he hurt or let down with the offensive comment he made in 2016. Guevara said that version of him isn’t who he is today and he’s grown with all he’s experienced over the past four years. Guevara said he now understands that the words he says can impact people more than he’ll ever understand and can hurt people more than he’ll ever realize. He’s taking a hiatus from his vlog and social media and vowed to be better when he returns.
  • In the description of today’s Being the Elite video, it was confirmed that they’ve begun the process of taking down videos that featured Joey Ryan: “Hi guys and girls. We hope this video provides an escape, or even maybe makes you laugh during these tough times. We love you all. Out of respect to the victims, we have began the process of taking down BTE videos which featured an accused serial sexual abuser. Our biggest regret is providing a platform unknowingly to such a despicable person. Our hearts go out to the victims and anyone else affected. – From the BTE Team”
  • The London-based International Wrestling League promotion posted a series of tweets on Sunday alleging that a venue gave them the option of unbooking Pollyanna from a show in 2018 or losing the venue because Will Ospreay was uncomfortable with Pollyanna being booked for them: “We’ve been trying to put something decent together but f*ck that, lets call a spade a spade. Shortly after announcing [Pollyanna] vs Renfrew, we got a message from the venue asking us to call them to discuss something. The call went something like: Will’s our boy and feels uncomfortable with you booking Pollyanna. I told them I wasn’t going back on my word with Polly, but would not book her going forward. That wasn’t an option, the option was unbook Polly or lose the venue. (1st show there) Apologies to [Pollyanna] who despite fighting a one-sided, was always professional. To @WillOspreay, go f*ck yourself and your half-arsed apologies.” Ospreay issued a statement on Saturday denying that he’s ever been part of any group trying to blacklist Pollyanna from pro wrestling after she accused a friend of Ospreay’s of sexually assaulting her. Ospreay has yet to comment publicly on the IWL’s tweets.
  • wXw announced that Julian Pace and Jay Skillet will no longer be part of their promotion or the wXw Wrestling Academy: “In light of wXw Wrestling Academy students stepping forward Julian Pace and Jay Skillet will no longer be part of wXw and the wXw Wrestling Academy. We have six more episodes of wXw Shotgun 2020 filmed and produced. Both wrestlers have (bigger) roles during the series, one of them is part of three more matches and of the main storyline. We cannot feature either of them with a good conscience anymore. We thus will be suspending the weekly release of the upcoming episodes of Shotgun effective immediately. We will edit all episodes accordingly and take out any segments/matches involving either of wrestlers. All remaining six episodes of Shotgun will be released in shorter, edited form in July. New release dates will be decided on once we have had time to digest this situation.”
  • Thunder Rosa’s Mission Pro Wrestling is becoming an all-women’s promotion. That includes both in-ring, on-air, and behind-the-scenes positions.
  • ROH announced that ring announcer Bobby Cruise has signed a new contract with them.
  • Today is Brandi Rhodes’ 37th birthday. Cody tweeted wishing her a happy birthday: “Happy Birthday @TheBrandiRhodes I love you. Thank you for being strong. Thank you for being loving. Thanks for sharing the adventure. I have loved you since the first hug (Air Canada Centre parking lot) Enjoy your day!”

MMA

Daily Pro Wrestling History: The birth of Austin 3:16

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