Daily Update: Uriah Hall, Tanahashi, WWE statement on Hogan

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

We will be doing polls this weekend for both UFC and Bellator on Saturday night, as well as all three Fantastica Mania shows starting tomorrow.  You can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

IMPACT ON POP TV AT 8 P.M. EASTERN TIME

NEW JAPAN FANTASTICA MANIA AT 4:30 A.M. EASTERN TIME FRIDAY MORNING ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Fuego vs. Okumura
  • Satoshi Kojima & Dragon Lee & Star Jr. & Hirai Kawato vs. Rush & Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi & Bushi
  • Atlantis & Mistico & Volador Jr. & Drone vs. Ultimo Guerrero & Cavernario & Puma & Disturbio
  • Angel de Oro vs. Cuatrero for the CMLL middleweight title
  • Niebla Roja vs. Gran Guerrero for the CMLL light heavyweight title

​F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly 1//15/2018: Looking at WWE’s latest Performance Center class

While it’s hard to predict whether someone will or won’t have success on the main roster, the class that’s scheduled to report to the WWE Performance Center this week includes some potentially game-changing talent. Ricochet, Candice LeRae, War Machine (Ray Rowe & Hanson), Kavita Devi, Kacy Catanzaro, Rinku Singh, Shadia Bseiso, Nasser Alruwayeh, Nicolai Salchow, and Saurav Gurjar have been reported as the latest names to sign with WWE.

WON NEWSLETTER: January 22, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Paige’s in-ring career with WWE over, Reigns steroid allegations, more

A look at the career of Paige and the injuries that appeared to end it is one of the lead stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer. Read about her career, the movie on her life that is forthcoming, how the movie affected the last few years, details of the injury, how this compares to Bryan Danielson, how the movie got started, her life before WWE and her role in the changes in the WWE women’s division.

Look at the situation with Conor McGregor, as well as a huge show UFC is looking at doing in the fall.

Read comments on the Roman Reigns allegations and the WWE background on how different allegations have been handled.

There are changes in plans of the rumble show, an update on a lot of talent talking with WWE, many coming into WWE, history of why Bobby Lashley left WWE, former TNA star talks wanting to move to WWE, Jey Uso’s DWI arrest, notes on a lot of new talent starting at the Performance Center, Cena projects on Nickelodeon, who is coming in for 25th Raw, who isn’t coming to the 25th Raw and why, and a complete scheduled for Mixed Match Challenge.

Check out how house show plans changed with the Samoa Joe injury, WWE injury notes, WWE signs new giant, UFC star’s name talked about for WWE, Cena and Rock move notes, WWE stock price value and most-watched shows for the week on the WWE Network. Look at the WWE and NXT arena events over the past week with results, highlights and business notes.

Look at the head-to-head battle with UFC and Bellator this week, the hoped for stardom of Francis Ngannou, Sonnen vs. Rampage, Cormier vs. Oezdemir and more.

Read about the UFC show in St. Louis and the most emotional moment in UFC television history. Plus, look at the unique nature of how the television audience changed and why the ratings were so high.

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WON BACK ISSUE: January 1, 2001 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Candidates for Wrestler of the Year, Sakuraba defeats another Gracie, more

For a year that, with the exception of the success of the WWF, was hardly a banner year for the business, there is actually no shortage of candidates for Wrestler of the Year. The Observer awards balloting results will be announced here in two weeks, but before hand, I wanted to run down a list of the top qualifiers with my own comments on them.

THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

Uriah Hall said he suffered a mini seizure and a slight heart attack cutting weight on Saturday. He said that he ignored some issues prior to his weight cut that led to the hospitalization. He said there was an injury that he ignored that caught up to him and his body wasn’t responsive. He said the doctor told him even if he had weighed in, he probably would have died the next day. Hall said he would be open to meeting Vitor Belfort later.

Jim Ross noted on Twitter today that Judge Steve Slice dismissed vehicular homicide charges against the 17-year-old local high school student who drove the car that killed Jan Ross when it hit her as she was riding her moped home. The judge said that the punishment, which was counseling and an undisclosed amount of community service work was completed and that the legal system had done all the law would allow. He said that the state objected to the decision with no avail and that the driver never even lost his license. He was very upset by this.

Hiroshi Tanahashi is off the New Japan tour of Australia. We don’t have details at this point. The TMDK group in Australia of Jonah Rock, Marcius Pitt, Damien Slater and Slex have been on social media saying they are going after the Bullet Club on the tour. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)

The AP ran a story on Hulk Hogan not being on Raw Monday. WWE, when asked about the possibility of Hogan returning, said “At this time, WWE remains committed to its decision.” Hogan said, “I’m ready to jump on a plane and fly to Japan and get involved with that Bullet Club, man, I’m so excited about those kids.”

There is a Hulk Hogan running for Senate story, and he’s not doing it and it’s ridiculous.

WWE

  • An update on Ric Flair, who said he’s done drinking.
  • A story on WWE and its digital strategy.
  • For what it’s worth, Mike Hutter (Ethan Carter III) pulled out of a show on 1/28 in Houston, which is the same day as the Royal Rumble. 
  • There is a story in Fresno on the 20th anniversary of the Steve Austin/Mike Tyson angle.
  • Former WWE writer Kevin Eck on why he doesn’t think Bill Goldberg is a Hall of Famer, and noting HHH and Shawn Michaels were adamant in the past that he wasn’t.
  • A story on Ross and Lawler back on Raw on Monday.
  • WWE and PLB Sports have partnered to launch fruit snacks featuring WWE wrestlers called WWE Superstar Snacks made from real fruit juice and come in the shape of the WWE logo in six flavors. John Cena, Roman Reigns, Sasha Banks, A.J. Styles and Naomi are featured on the box’s front panel.
  • Bill Goldberg is on the new episode of The Grand Tour which airs tomorrow on Amazon Prime. He’s also appearing on “The Flash” TV show on CW next week.
  • Johnny Gargano talks the signing of wife Candice LeRae: “For me, being her husband, I’m very proud of her, but she got here on her own,” Gargano told the Sentinel on Wednesday. “People all the time [say], ‘Oh, she’s Johnny Gargano’s wife.’ Yes….but she’s Candice LeRae. She’s one of the best wrestlers in the world and she deserves to be here. That’s what it comes down to… She’s one of my favorite wrestlers, if not my favorite wrestler, and that’s not because she’s my wife, it’s because she’s absolutely phenomenal. I’ve watched her tear her body apart, blood, sweat and tears, for a very long time. So just me, as a wrestling fan, me as a fellow professional wrestler, I am super happy and super proud that Candice LeRae is in the WWE Performance Center.”
  • A story on Donald Trump’s one week as owner of Raw angle.

UFC

  • There will be a press conference tomorrow at 5 p.m. Eastern at the TD Garden in Boston with Max Holloway, Frankie Edgar, Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov talking the March and April PPV shows.
  • Tickets for UFC 222 on 3/3 at the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas go on sale to the public tomorrow. The fights listed thus far are:
    Max Holloway vs. Frankie Edgar for the featherweight title
    Andrei Arlovski vs. Stefan Struve
    Cat Zingano vs. Ketlen Vieira
    Sean O’Malley vs. Andre Soukhamthath
    Mackenzie Dern vs. Ashley Yoder
    C.B. Dollaway vs. Hector Lombard
    Bryan Caraway vs. Cody Stamann
    Jordan Johnson vs. Adam Milstead
            Tickets are $500 down to $50. 
  • Jay Reddick of the Orlando Sentinel reported these new fights for the 2/24 show in Orlando as Ovince Saint Preux vs. Ilir Latifi (this fight was originally set for 1/27 but moved back due to an injury to Latifi), Rani Yahya vs. Russell Doane and Sara McMann vs. Marion Reneau.
  • UFC and Monster Energy extended their global partnership.
  • Humberto Bandenay vs. Steven Peterson, the former Legacy Fighting champion, face off on the 2/18 show in Austin, TX.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Impact Wrestling competitor Sami Callihan discusses accidentally smashing Eddy Edwards eye with a baseball bat in an accidental act that legitimately sent Edwards to the hospital at the most recent set of Impact taping in Orlando.
  • A story on social media and pro wrestling helping the indie scene.
  • AAW on Saturday in Chicago at the Logan Square Auditorium has Rey Fenix vs. Matt Riddle for the AAW title, Mat Fichett & Davey Vega vs. Shane Strickland & Keith Lee for the AAW tag titles, Sami Callihan & Jake & Dave Crist vs. David Starr & Trevor Lee & Jeff Cobb, MJF vs. Juice Robinson, Jessicka Havok & Kylie Rae vs. Allysin Kay & Scarlett, Eddie Kingston vs. Kevin Lee Davidson, Jake Something & Curt Stallion vs. Zero Gravity plus ACH, Myron Reed, AR Fox, Teddy Hart and Paco.
  • The latest on the issues with combative sports like pro wrestling, MMA and boxing in Edmonton being banned for this year.
  • MCW Pro on 1/20 in Joppa, MD at the MCW Arena.
  • CZW on 2/10 in Voorhees, NJ at the Colossal Sports Academy with Rickey Shane Page & Penta 0M & Rey Fenix vs. Sami Callihan & Dave & Jake Crist, [plus Ace Romero vs Greg Excellent in an ultraviolent dog collar match.
  • Regarding the Bruce Prichard and Conrad Thompson podcast tomorrow night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, this is a live show and not a taped podcast.
  • Zelo Pro Wrestling on 4/20 in Milwaukee at Turner Hall with Austin Aries, Tessa Blanchard, Kylie Ray, Britt Baker, Colt Cabana, Chelsea Green, DJZ and Robbie E.
  • Premier Championship Wrestling from Saturday night in Winnipeg: London Dynasty b Jackie Lee & Scott Justice, Moses Luke & Jak Lydon & Dragneel b Dick Blood & Kevin O’Doyle & JL Spiker, Bobby Schink b Alix Vanna & Jay Walker, AM b Antonio Scorpio, Jackie Lee b Scott Justice. Next show is 2/17 at Doubles Bar in Winnipeg.
  • Superkick’d runs tomorrow night in Toronto at the Great Hall’s Longboat Hall.
  • Acclaim Pro Wrestling on 1/27 in Ottawa at the SPK Dom Polski Polish Combatants Centre.
  • West Coast Wrestling Federation on Saturday night in Yuba City, CA at the Yuba Sutter Fairgrounds.
  • Smash Wrestling on 3/25 in Toronto at The Phoenix.
  • Shazza McKenzie vs. Tessa Blanchard for the Heart of Shimmer title takes place on the 4/7 Shimmer show in New Orleans.
  • Bar Wrestling on 2/22 announced Tenille Dashwood (Emma) and James Ellsworth appearing. On 3/10, Penta 0M and Rey Fenix appear.
  • Pro Wrestling Eve results from Tuesday: Samii Jayne b Candy Floss, Laura DiMatteo DDQ Jamie Hayter, Leah Owens b Charli Evans, Livvii Grace b Bea Priestley, Charlie Morgan & Kasey Owens b Nina Samuels & Chakara, Millie McKenzie b Toni Storm, Samii Jayne won Rumble match to keep the Eve title. Part 1 of this show goes up on their EveonDemand streaming service today and the second half goes up on Monday. There will be a six-woman ladder match at their Wrestle Queendom show at York Hall in London on 3/5 with Leah Owens, Livvii Grace, and Millie McKenzie as three of the participants. (thanks to Emily and Dean Reed)
  • Cross Body Wrestling on 2/17 in Kitchener, ONT.
  • CWA on Saturday night in North Little Rock, AR before 650 fans: Americos b Jakob Edwinn, OMGs b Michael Barry & Matt Boyce, Greg Anthony b Roosevelt, Barrett Brown b Delirious, Matt Riviera b Pee Wee Pitts, Tim Storm b Carlito. Jerry Lawler & Alan Steel had to cancel due to ice in Memphis. Bill Dundee made an appearance. Over $4,000 was raised for Alex Thompson, an eight year old suffering from San Filippo Syndrome.
  • Big Time Wrestling on 1/26 in Newark, CA at the Pavilion with a 16 man Battle Royal with Abyss and Eli Drake appearing. They also run with a Battle Royal the next day in Salinas, CA at the PAL Armory.
  • CWE on 2/9 in Winnipeg at Rookie’s Sports Bar.
  • The CWE show scheduled for tonight in La Salle, Manitoba has been moved to 3/29 at the La Salle Credit Union Complex.
  • Alberto El Patron’s show in Mexico City to raise money for 42 children who lost their parents in the recent earthquake takes place on Saturday night. Alberto vs. Dr Wagner Jr. vs. Cibernetico is the main event along with Octagon & Dos Caras & Solar vs. Canek & Fuerza Guerrera & Pirata Morgan. Sexy Star is on the show as Sexy Dulce.
  • Astronomicon on 2/9 to 2/11 in Sterling Heights, MI (Detroit metro area) at the Wyndham Garden features Booker T, Eric Bischoff, Bruce Prichard, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Charles “Godfather” Wright and Road Warrior Animal.
  • Rise announced for its 4/13 show in Chicago Chelsea Green & Britt Baker, called Fire & Nice against Team Blue Nation of Charli Evans & Jessica Troy (thanks to Jake Koch).
  • There is a Superstar Graham Go Fund Me.

Today in Professional Wrestling History: Ivan Koloff defeats Bruno Sammartino to win WWWF World title

WRESTLING OBSERVER / F4W – WRESTLEMANIA 34 in NEW ORLEANS

Here we go again! It’s back to New Orleans for Wrestlemania 34 and a huge weekend of spectacular professional wrestling related fun and wackiness. EdinSanAntonio Productions along with the Wrestling Observer / Figure Four Empire~! is proud to present the annual Wrestlemania weekend trip details. This huge weekend includes a number of website “members only” events. Below are the two events currently scheduled. Click here for full event details.

WOR Podcast Taping:Purchase TICKETS for the Wrestling Observer Radio LIVE MAILBAG~!

  • WHAT: Wrestling Observer Radio LIVE Podcast Recording with Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez
  • WHEN: Friday, April 6th, 2018 – 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Doors open at 8:45 a.m. for VIP ticket holders and at 9:15 a.m. for general admission)
  • WHERE: The Bourbon Room, Royal St. Charles Hotel in downtown New Orleans; 135 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130

WO/F4W Brunch:Purchase TICKETS for the Wrestling Oberver BRUNCH~!

  • WHAT: All you care to eat brunch buffet on the morning of Wrestlemania 
  • WHEN: Sunday, April 8th, 2018 – T11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • WHERE: The Court of Two Sisters restaurant in downtown New Orleans; 613 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70130

CONTACT INFORMATION

Support the Empire~! with F4W shirts. Grab yours today!

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