Daily Update: Vader, Big Cass, All In broadcast

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Ronda Rousey shines at Money in the Bank

The question of who should be the “top guy” in WWE going forward has been definitively answered. Ronda Rousey followed up on her incredible debut performance from WrestleMania with an even better showing at Sunday night’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view. In what was only her second televised bout and her first singles match ever, Rousey proved that she belongs in the ring. 

WON NEWSLETTER: WON Preview (June 18, 2018): Omega vs. Okada reaches new heights

A look back at the Okada-Omega IV match is the lead story in the new jam-packed double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter this week. The story goes back to the previous matches, the story behind the match, the booking of Okada-Naito, the Okada title reign, how Okada is viewed in Japan right now, what is next for New Japan, the future of Chris Jericho in New Japan, New Japan President Howard Meij talks the future and match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

Look at UFC 225, C.M. Punk’s second fight, the story behind Yoel Romero’s weight issues, business notes on the show and match-by-match coverage with poll results.

Examine Jeff Hardy’s guilty plea in a DUI case and WWE standards, advertised matches for the Extreme Rules PPV in July, thoughts on a new UFC news talk show, Ronda Rousey contract info, WWE campaigning for an Emmy nomination, a SummerSlam main event update, the Corey Graves/C.M. Punk issue, a Rey Mysterio/WWE note, NXT at the Download Festival, UK show cards, Survivor Series ticket update, Cena and Rock movie updates, wrestler returning to WWE action from injury, tons of talk of the XFL, and Bret Hart talks drama in WWE matches.

Read about the most-watched matches from the past week on the WWE Network, as well as coverage of all the WWE and NXT events over the past week with results, highlights and business notes.

Preview Money in the Bank and Takeover, look at the career that led Ronda Rousey into the UFC Hall of Fame including her pre-UFC career, a new streaming service that will cover dozens of promotions all over the world, and the sad death of Arkangel de la Muerte.

Read more on ROH talking about running Madison Square Garden and all kinds of things going on.

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 Meltzer, or by using PayPal directing funds to Dave@WrestlingObserver.com. 

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If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can choose one free classic issue or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Tonight’s episode of NXT on the WWE Network opened with a graphic paying tribute to Vader. A picture of him and messages from wrestlers that were posted on social media were also displayed on the bottom of the screen during the open for the show.
  • Triple H tweeted a statement on the passing of Vader: “Leon White entertained (and intimidated) audiences all over the world with his size, strength, and agility. Saddened to hear of his passing and our thoughts are with his family at this time. #RIPVader”
  • Mick Foley, who had been lobbying for Vader to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame before he passed away, wrote a remembrance of him.
  • Sting tweeted about Vader: “ Loved working with Leon, loved the friendship I had with him for many years, and especially these last 8 months of his life. He will truly be missed.”
  • Dustin Rhodes paid tribute to Vader: “Very sad to here of the passing of @itsvadertime . He was @DakotaRunnels22  Godfather and a friend. He will be missed. #RIPLeonWhite”
  • WWE.com posted many of the other tributes to Vader that were shared on social media.
  • Pro Wrestling Sheet reported that one incident where Big Cass made some people feel negatively about him before his release happened when he broke down a door while riding on a WWE bus. While the lock was apparently broken, Cass thought it was a prank and broke the door after being stuck inside. Everyone had to use the bathroom with no door after, though the report noted that there were people who understood Cass’ frustration.
  • WWE stock was up 2.36 percent after yesterday’s record-high number, closing at $67.70.
  • Cris Cyborg offered to help Alexa Bliss ahead of an eventual match against Ronda Rousey: “Let me know # @AlexaBliss_WWE if you need help training Judo takedown and armbar defense!”
  • Jeff Hardy retaining the United States Championship against The Miz was last night’s post-205 Live dark match. Tye Dillinger also faced Shelton Benjamin before SmackDown started.
  • Producer Ashok Moore had his last day at ESPN before leaving to work for WWE.

Pro Wrestling

  • Will Ospreay, who was Vader’s opponent in one of his last major matches, tweeted today: “May you finally be in peace. RIP Vader.” They faced off for Revolution Pro Wrestling in 2016, with the match being booked after Vader started a social media feud with Ospreay when he criticized Ospreay vs. Ricochet from that year’s Best of the Super Juniors for looking fake. Vader refused to put over Ospreay in their match.
  • Impact Wrestling also sent their condolences to Vader’s family: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Vader. Our thoughts are with his family today.”
  • Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks officially announced that All In will be broadcast in some capacity: “We can confirm that we have decided in favor of licensing production. So 100% this event will be broadcasted in some capacity. We want as many people to see it as possible! Details in the coming weeks. -Cody, Matt, Nick” It was apparent that would be the case when Don Callis was added to the show as a commentator.
  • Matt Jackson spoke to Sports Illustrated about The Young Bucks’ Tag Team title win at Dominion and being there for Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada: “Kenny and Okada are both all-time performers, and their matches will go down in history. The callbacks to the earlier matches, and the brilliant sequences of counters for counters, had me on the edge of my seat. Wrestling is a universal language. Kenny learned to connect with people of a different race because he tells stories that anyone can understand.”
  • Matt Riddle vs. PCO has been announced for Joey Janela’s Lost in New York in Queens on August 17.
  • KUSHIDA vs. Jonathan Gresham is set for ROH’s TV tapings in Fairfax, Virginia on June 30.
  • Simon Gotch criticized Enzo Amore during an interview with Chris Van Vliet, saying the best case scenario is Amore is an awful human being and the worst case scenario is that he’s a monster for releasing a diss track against his accuser. Amore came out with the song after police found insufficient evidence to press charges against him.
  • Kevin Owens called NJPW’s Juice Robinson the best promo in wrestling.
  • Impact announced World Series Wrestling in Australia as a partner for their Global Wrestling Network service.

UFC/MMA

Daily Professional Wrestling History: WCW Beach Blast 1992

12th Annual F4W Empire Vegas Convention

Greetings friends and fans of the F4W / Wrestling Observer website. It’s time to announce the details of the 12th annual F4W / Wrestling Observer Empire Las Vegas Convention~!

This year’s event will be taking place in Las Vegas from August 16th to the 20th and will again be in conjunction with WWE’s SummerSlam weekend a.k.a. Super China Buffet Day~! There will still be the usual events, but our big draw will be WWE’s summer blockbuster PPV, SummerSlam. As per tradition, we will all gorge ourselves at a Las Vegas buffet, and then watch SummerSlam in a rented out movie theater. All information and ticketing prices are available now. Sign up ASAP as spots are limited for some events. 

This year will also feature a Future Stars Wrestling show which will include the first ever Gladys Gibson Doubles Match Classic! Already booked for the show are the teams Mia Yim & Leva Bates, Lufisto & Shotzi Blackheart, Samantha Heights & Brittany Blake, and Miranda Alize & Kylie Rae. Kris Wolf will also be appearing along with many more future stars. There may even be a classic star or two making an appearance. You won’t want to miss this show! Check out the convention’s Facebook page for all additional information.

CONTACT INFORMATION