Daily Update: Weekend shows, Bryan Clark, Trey Miguel

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

For the weekend, we’ll be doing polls on two shows, UFC 247 tomorrow night in Houston and NJPW New Beginning in Osaka which starts about an hour or less after UFC ends. You can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

Smackdown tonight from San Jose features Naomi vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Dana Brooke in a match where the winner faces Bayley for the women’s title.

Caristico & Volador Jr. & Valiente vs. Sanson & Cuatrero & Forastero headlines Arena Mexico tonight at 9:30 p.m. on the CMLL YouTube page.

We’re also looking for reports from the WWE house shows in Oakland on Saturday night and Fresno on Sunday, as well as ROH on Sunday from Baltimore to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com

Raw this week is Monday in Ontario, CA.

UFC will have a ceremony honoring Kobe Bryant at tomorrow’s event.  Weigh-ins for the show

ESPN+ at 6:30 p.m. Eastern

  • Austin Lingo (145.5) vs. Youssef Zalal (145.5)
  • Andre Ewell (135.5) vs. Jonathan Martinez (136)
  • Journey Newson (135.5) vs. Domingo Pilarte (135.5)

ESPN at 8 p.m. Eastern

  • Miles John (135) vs. Mario Bautista (135)
  • Lauren Murphy (125) vs. Andrea Lee (125.5)
  • Alex Morono (171) vs. Kalinn Williams (169)
  • Trevin Giles (185.5) vs. Antonio Arroyo (186)

PPV on ESPN+ at 10 p.m. Eastern

  • Derrick Lewis (261.5) vs. Ilir Latifi (246.5)
  • Mirsad Bektic (145) vs. Dan Ige (145.5)
  • Juan Adams (266) vs. Justin Tafa (265.5)
  • Valentina Shevchenko (124.5) vs. Katlyn Chookagian (124.5) for women’s flyweight title
  • Jon Jones (204) vs. Dominic Reyes (205) for light heavyweight title

NJPW New Beginning in Osaka is live on New Japan World Saturday night at 2 a.m. Eastern and 11 p.m. Pacific

  • Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi & Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima vs Ryusuke Taguchi & Toa Henare & Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma
  • Sho & Yoh vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Desperado for IWGP jr.tag titles
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kota Ibushi & Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa & Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens
  • Kazuchika Okada & Will Ospreay vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi
  • Jay White vs. Sanada
  • Hiromu Takahashi vs. Ryu Lee for IWGP jr. title
  • Jon Moxley vs. Minoru Suzuki for U.S. title
  • Tetsuya Naito vs. KENTA for IWGP and IC titles

ROH on Sunday from Baltimore’s UMBC Center

  • PCO & Marty Scurll vs,. Nick Aldis & Rush
  • Battle Royal for ROH title shot down the line
  • Brody King vs. Rey Hours
  • Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. Flamita & Bandido
  • Slex vs  Flip Gordon
  • Jonathan Gresham & Jay Lethal vs. Jeff Cobb & Dan Maff non-title
  • Joe Hendry & Dalton Castle vs. Vincent & Bateman
  • Sumie Sakai vs. Session Moth Martina
  • Andrew Everett vs. Alex Zayne

WON NEWSLETTER: February 10, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Major WWE corporate shakeups, more

We look at the changes in WWE business and details on what Vince McMahon was talking about regarding changes in the network and PPV distribution in the lead story of the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

We examine the departure of Michelle Wilson and George Barrios, the drop in the stock price, what it will take to get the price back up, McMahon talking business options, what WWE can learn from how UFC handled a similar situation, the business of WrestleMania, the key players, the different options, the UFC PPV deal, and McMahon talks AEW.

Also in this issue:

WWE fourth quarter numbers in every category, profits, losses, arena business, corporate spending and all categories.

McGregor vs. Cerrone business including details of it being the largest streaming PPV in history, how it did on traditional PPV, how UFC ha helped ESPN+ numbers, ESPN+ subscribers as well a the bundle with Hulu and Disney Plus, and how successful it has been financially.

WrestleMania and the net Saudi Arabia show, a new WWE TV deal, Takeover Portland, what medical treatment wrestlers from many different companies are looking at doing, new WWE signings, John Cena in Fast 9, update on talent that has  wanted their release, Jake Atlas debut, lots of ratings info, WWE Network price notes, Mauro Ranallo talks getting off twitter, Total Bellas story lines, Bret Hart update, most watched shows on WWE Network and coverage of all of last week’s WWE arena events.

New Beginning shows in Sapporo, with a full rundown of the booking, the business, match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

A feature on the Jericho Cruise, the top matches, how TV was taped, and what happened.

UFC event from Raleigh with match-by-match coverage and business notes.

A feature on the death of Romeo Cormier and the famous Burke/Martin/Cormier family and the heyday of pro wrestling in Eastern Canada. 

Regarding the Wednesday numbers, we’ve got full details, demos that each side won, how every segment did and what match ended up as the difference maker. 

Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.

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.

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.

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

Garrett Gonzalez and I talk about the business of WWE major shows and why Vince McMahon is looking to make the move, Wednesday ratings and answer questions. 

Bryan and I will be doing a Q&A over WrestleMania week in Ybor City, FL with details here. We are also planning activities for Memorial Day weekend in Las Vegas for Double or Nothing weekend.

A correction from this week’s Observer regarding the woman who played Trey Miguel’s mother. We had reported she was no longer a character and was no longer with the promotion. She is no longer a television character but still works for the company as that storyline is now over.  Tessa Blanchard vs. Ace Austin for the Impact title is Austin’s new storyline.

Former WCW/WWF wrestler Bryan Clark Jr., 55, also known as Adam Bomb, is facing charges of conspiracy, illegal control of enterprise, transporting or selling narcotics, drug possession and possession of a weapon during a drug offense. The alleged acts occurred in January and April. (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)

A story on MLW talking with Amazon Prime.

 WWE

  • SummerSlam tickets for 8/23 in Boston at the TD Garden go on sale with travel packages on 2/18 and tickets on 3/8. The prices are $25 to $500 and will be available at Ticketmaster. It will be a four-show weekend with Smackdown, NXT Takeover, SummerSlam and Raw.

UFC

  • For UFC coverage tomorrow, Ariel Helwani’s MMA show airs at 4 PM. Eastern on ESPN Radio and the post-show will be at 1 a.m. on ESPN+
  • Ovince Saint Preux vs. Shamil Gamazatov is scheduled for the 4/25 show in Lincoln, NE.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • The Washington Post on the XFL. (thanks to Chris Cruise)
  • Ric Flair interview on the BBC.
  • Kevin Eck with ROH news.
  • Tom Lawlor and Dominic Garrini in Dallas aired this on TV this past week.
  • A documentary on a week in Japan which features myself and Fumi Saito.
  • The Combate Americas PPV show that was headlined by Alberto El Patron vs. Tito Ortiz will be airing at 10 p.m. Eastern and 7 p.m. Pacific tonight on AXS TV.  After the show at 1 a.m. will be a documentary that was filmed surrounding the fight.
  • AAW on 2/21 at the Logan Square Auditorium in Chicago has Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett vs. AR Fox & Myron Reed, Matt Justice vs. Nick Gage, Paco vs.Zicky Dice and TJP vs. ACH.
  • LFA on 3/20 from the Arizona Federal Theater in Phoenix on Fight Pass featuring Daniel Madrid (17-6) vs,. Impa Kasanganav (6-0)
  • Davey Boy Smith Jr. replaces the injured Rich Swann for the 2/21 Qatar Pro Wrestling show in Doha, Qatar.  The main event remains Alberto El Patron defending their title against RVD, Chris Raaber and Alofa.; 
  • ESW on 2/22 in Fairport, NY at Village Sports with Nick Ando vs. Orange Cassidy as the main event.
  • Adam Brooks vs. TJP for the Melbourne City Championship on 3/22 for Prestige Wrestling in Portland.
  • Adam Brooks vs. Nick Armstrong and Mick Moretti vs Rocky Menero headline for RCW tomorrow night in Adelaide, Australia.
  • Border Town Pro Wrestling on 2/29 in Fort Erie, ONT at the Fort Erie Native Friendship Center.
  • Hustle Brand Wrestling tonight in Barrie ONT at the Mavricks Music Hall.
  • Hamilton Wrestling Entertainment on 3/8 at Carmen’s Banquet Center in Hamilton, ONT.   They also run 2/23 at the Flamborough Hills Golf and Country Club for a 3 p.m. show.
  • PWE on 3/1 at 2 p.m. has a Rhino seminar at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43 in Oshawa, ONT.
  • Dynamo Pro Wrestling on 2/22 in St. Louis at the Concordia Turners Gymnasium.
  • J.J. Dillon will be doing fund raises for the International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame at ThinkGeek at Destiny USA in Syracuse at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow and at 3:30 p.m. at Pro Image Sports in Albany, NY.  He will be doing autographs and photos for $20 and a combo of both for $30.
  • Lena Kross from Australia appears on the May tour for Sendai Girls in Japan.
  • Royce Chambers from Australia tours with DDT from 3/1 to 3/20 (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
  • For tomorrow night’s MLW show on Bein Sports, Jacob Fatu  defends his world title against Brian Pillman Jr., plus Savio Vega vs. Richard Holliday and Zenshi vs. Dominic Garrini.
  • ECCW on 2/29 in Richmond, BC at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre with Christina Von Eerie vs. Nicole Matthewss plus Artemis Spencer appearing.
  • Tracy Smothers opens up about his stage 4 cancer diagnosis in this 30 minute interview with The Hannibal TV.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Larry Zbyszko wins vacant AWA World title

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