Daily Update: Vader tributes, Okada vs. Suzuki, PWG BOLA

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

WWE has Raw in Salt Lake City, Smackdown in Albuquerque and NXT in Largo, FL as well as Evolve in Brooklyn. We’re looking for reports on those shows to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

EVOLVE AT 8 P.M EASTERN FROM MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD YOUTH CENTER IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

  • Matt Riddle vs. Shane Strickland for Evolve title
  • Austin Theory vs. Joey Janela for WWN title
  • Walter vs. Darby Allin
  • Chris Dickinson & Dom Garrini & Jake vs Tracy Williams & Timothy Thatcher & Anthony Henry
  • AR Fox vs. DJZ
  • Bad Bones vs. Josh Briggs

Sunday has WWE Raw in Anaheim, CA and Smackdown in Fresno, CA.

EVOLVE ON SUNDAY NIGHT AT 7 P.M. EASTERN FROM MELROSE, MA MEMORIAL HALL

  • Adam Cole vs. Walter for WWE North American title
  • Matt Riddle vs. AR Fox for Evolve tile
  • Austin Theory vs. DJZ for FIP title
  • Tracy Williams vs. Chris Dickinson under catch point rules
  • Darby Allin vs. Jarek 1:20
  • Dominic Garrini vs. Josh Briggs

Monday has Raw TV in San Diego with Dolph Ziggler vs. Seth Rollins for the IC title. There is also a Smackdown house show in Bakersfield.

Tuesday has Smackdown and 205 Live in Ontario, CA. Announced for 205 Live is Jack Gallagher & Brian Kendrick & Drew Gulak vs. Kalisto & Lince Dorado & Gran Metalik.

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 25, 2018): Wrestling Observer Newsletter: The death of Vader

A detailed look at the career of Leon “Vader” White is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Look at his career highlights, his recent health issues and his death, his football days and how he got started in wrestling.

Also look at the program that first put him on the map as a star, his feud with Otto Wanz. Check out the debut of Big Van Vader, and how he was not the original person chosen for the spot. Find out about Vader’s first match including the celebrity involved and the riot. 

Go through his WCW career, his feud with Mick Foley, the development of the moonsault, his UWFI deal and the WCW champion vs. UWFI champion before 46,000 fans with Takada. 

This issue has an update of what happened behind-the-scenes that led to ROH having a date in Madison Square Garden and having it taken away, and the issues between the two companies.

Read full coverage of the Money in the Bank show with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results, as well as coverage of NXT Takeover Chicago.

Look at where WWE is going for Extreme Rules and SummerSlam.

There is an update on the Cow Palace show and the G-1 Climax tournament.

We’ve got a story on what happened with Big Cass and his being fired.

Look at WWE’s plans to run a show in Melbourne at MCG Stadium and the huge ticket prices for the event.

Also have a look at the WWE shows in London at Royal Albert Hall and the beginning of the U.K. division and what has and hasn’t been said.

Read a postscript on the C.M. Punk lawsuit.

Find out about the honor John Cena is nominated for, the TV commercial for the WWE video game, WWE injury updates, a WWE survey, Cena lawsuit settlement, who put together key matches at Money in the Bank, Undercover Boss, note on a new signee and gimmick idea.

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. 

Rates in the United States are $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com. For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52. If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.)

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.

SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

Pro Wrestling

  • Tomoaki Honma returned to the ring today for the first time since suffering a career-threatening cervical vertebrae injury on March 3, 2017. He teamed with Togi Makabe, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toa Henare & Ryusuke Taguchi to defeat Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, EVIL, BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi) at the Kizuna Road tour show in Yamagata.
  • Before the show in Yamagata, NJPW held a memorial ceremony for Vader in the ring.
  • Minoru Suzuki and Kazuchika Okada also went to a 30-minute draw in a great scene outdoors in the rain today as part of two days of events in Yokohama to mark the 30th anniversary of Suzuki’s debut. It was estimated that 18,000 people attended today’s event.
  • NJPW released a video with Cody Rhodes where the members of the Bullet Club hype their matches for next month’s Cow Palace G1 Special.
  • Juice Robinson spoke to Uproxx about wrestling for NJPW and the time he spent in NXT.
  • Matt Riddle and Darby Allin have been announced for this year’s PWG Battle of Los Angeles tournament, joining PCO, Brody King, Jody Fleisch, Ilja Dragunov, Robbie Eagles, Joey Janela, Puma King, David Starr, Rey Horus, and Chris Brookes.
  • Travis Banks (August 4, 5, and 7 only), Zack Gibson & James Drake, Jinny (August 4, 11, and 12 only), Pete Dunne, Tyler Bate & Trent Seven, TK Cooper, WALTER (August 9, 11, and 12 only), Flash Morgan Webster, Mark Haskins, Jimmy Havoc, Mark Andrews, Eddie Dennis, Jack Sexsmith (August 7, 9, 11, and 12 only), Chris Brookes & Kid Lykos, and Toni Storm (August 4, 11, and 12 only) were announced for PROGRESS Wrestling’s August tour of the United States. Here are the shows for the tour:
    August 4 — Philadelphia
    August 5 — Boston
    August 7 — New York City
    August 9 — Seattle
    August 11 — Chicago
    August 12 — Detroit
  • NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Nick Aldis will appear for Championship Wrestling From Hollywood tomorrow to address All In and Dalton Castle vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Marty Scurll at Best in the World, continuing his storyline leading into the NWA title being defended against Rhodes.

UFC/MMA

Daily Professional Wrestling History: Austin 3:16

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