Daily Update: Vicki Funk passes away, WrestleMania, Ngannou-JDS

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Looking at the WWE HOF and the 2019 class

While interest has inevitably decreased over the years, the 2019 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony feels like less of an essential part of WrestleMania weekend than ever.

There are a few major reasons why the Hall of Fame ceremony has lost some of its luster. As WrestleMania week has become a destination for promotions from the United States and abroad, fans have to make difficult decisions on how they’re going to spend their time and money.

WON NEWSLETTER: April 1, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Women to main event Wrestlemania 35, Conor McGregor allegations, more

The Conor McGregor situation is the lead story in the current issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Look at the investigation into him, his retirement, the timing, and why the retirement and Dana White’s reactions are both a public bluffing game. 

Read the update on the WrestleMania card, both matches announced and those not yet announced, the Charlotte Flair title win and what it changes about the show, the multiple changes in the top part of the show, the women in the main event, the interest level in the different shows that week and more.

Also look at the New Japan Cup, with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results, on the entire last week of the tournament and the final show.

Look at Vince McMahon’s stock sale, how much he sold, how much he got and why, as well as the XFL launch and problems with the AAF. Look at the AAF’s new goal.

Look at the retirement of the Bella Twins and their careers, the value of Total Divas and their future plans.

Examine the lawsuit settlement with the wrestlers who have sued Lucha Underground, and the interesting note of the person who backed out of the suit.

Also look at Cain Velasquez’s crossing over into pro wrestling and his deal with AAA, including what they attempted to do with him, the storyline building him up and the wrestlers it looks like he’ll appear with.

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.

SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • John Pollock of Post Wrestling reported that the latest plans for WrestleMania 35 are for the show to include a Raw Tag Team title match and a SmackDown Tag Team title match. Pollock wrote that the SmackDown one is expected to be a multi-team match, while the Raw match was added after Charlotte Flair defeated Asuka to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Asuka was originally set to have a title defense at WrestleMania. The Usos are the current SmackDown Tag Team Champions, and The Revival hold the Raw titles.
  • A new episode of Ride Along will air on the WWE Network after Monday’s Raw. Here’s the description for the show: “New Day celebrates Kofi’s big night at Elimination Chamber, while Andrade and Zelina Vega take a relaxing ride through Louisiana!”
  • WWE Network News reported that a new edition of Superstar Picks will be added to the Network on Monday. The matches are chosen by Adam Cole.
  • CBS Local Sports interviewed Becky Lynch about headlining WrestleMania.
  • Seth Rollins spoke to Sporting News about Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Lynch being the main event of WrestleMania: “You’d be lying if you said that you didn’t care about wanting to headline WrestleMania. That’s the pinnacle. Guys have lost their minds about being in that spot over the years. This is all you’ve ever dreamed of in your entire life and everything you ever wanted to do and you’ve dedicated yourself to it. All you want is to headline WrestleMania and to be the main event. Those women are no different. Charlotte, obviously, has the history. Becky has been at it for 15 years now. There is so much passion and hard work and love for the industry in that Triple Threat match. Those girls are in that spot not just by themselves, but years and years of women being marginalized in our industry and having to push through and fight through things. I’ll never know what that experience is like. They’re getting to represent future generations and past generations of females who are capable, amazing and talented. They finally get to showcase that to the entire world. I’m super proud of all three of those girls and I’m really looking forward to sitting back with the Universal title on my shoulder and watching the main event.”
  • Sasha Banks told Sky Sports about the process of WWE adding Women’s Tag Team titles: “It felt like the whole of last year we were asking, like we would be knocking on the door of Vince’s office every week. Me and Bayley would go up to him and some weeks he’d say no and some weeks he’d say yes and then bam, it’s here. So that just proves that you should never give up on your dreams. If you’re annoying enough you can make things happen and that’s probably what happened, he just got annoyed with us. I hope he understands how important this is to us and we’re going to make it really special. That’s just Vince every week — you never know how he’s going to be. You just have to keep on trying.”
  • Jim Ross tweeted that yesterday was the final day of his WWE contract: “Big day…it’s the final day of my contract with @WWE after 26 years. A WWE camera crew arriving at my home today to record for an @undertaker documentary. I’m honored to be a part of it. Great way to exit.”
  • Naomi responded to the announcement of the WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal: “Y’all sure this ain’t going to get cancelled too? Btw thank you so much for the opportunity”
  • WWE has a video on Charlie Adorno — a fan who has been to every WrestleMania.
  • Roman Reigns appeared on ESPN Deportes and joked that WWE would have a spot for Conor McGregor on 205 Live.
  • WWE ranked their top 10 women’s WrestleMania milestones, with Charlotte’s title win from WrestleMania 32 topping the list.
  • This week’s edition of WWE Playlist looks at Brock Lesnar’s WrestleMania history.

Pro Wrestling

  • Ted DiBiase announced that Vicki Funk, who was married to Terry Funk for more than 50 years, passed away last night: “My heart is broken and goes out to my good friend and mentor, Terry Funk. Terry’s wife, Vickie, passed away yesterday evening. Terry and Vickie were like second parents to me. There aren’t words to express how much they both have meant to me. RIP Vickie”
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Shane Strickland and Masato Tanaka vs. Eddie Kingston have been announced for this year’s WrestleCon Supershow in New York City on Thursday (April 4). Will Ospreay vs. Bandido and Dragon Lee vs. Cavernario are also set for the show, and Jushin Thunder Liger, Pentagon Jr. & Fenix, and SoCal Uncensored (Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky) will be appearing.
  • Allie’s character was written off Impact last night, with her sacrificing herself to save Rosemary from Su Yung. It was announced last week that Allie has signed with All Elite Wrestling.
  • Pentagon Jr. & Fenix defending their Tag Team titles against LAX (Santana & Ortiz) in a Full Metal Mayhem match and Tessa Blanchard vs. Gail Kim were officially announced for Rebellion on last night’s Impact. The PPV is taking place at the Rebel Entertainment Complex in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Sunday, April 28 and will be headlined by Johnny Impact defending his World title against Brian Cage.
  • Dominic Garrini vs. Phil Baroni is set for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport in Jersey City, New Jersey on Thursday.

UFC/MMA

Daily Pro Wrestling History: WrestleMania XIX and XXIV

Ed in San Antonio presents the WRESTLEMANIAWeekend Event:

  • Saturday, April 6th, at 12:00 pm: Lunch (all you can eat) at Churrascaria Plataforma ($90 per person), located at 316 W. 49th street in Manhattan. Purchase tickets here~!

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