Daily Update: WrestleMania schedule, NJPW tickets, Kane

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

It’s a quiet weekend heading into WrestleMania in a week which would be the craziest weekend of the year.

We’re looking for reports on today’s Raw show in Montreal and NXT show in Jacksonville to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

NEW JAPAN WORLD PRO WRESTLING RETURNS AT 7 P.M. AND MIDNIGHT EASTERN ON AXS TV

  • Togi Makabe vs. Tomohiro Ishii
  • Hirooki Goto vs. Naomichi Marufuji
  • Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Seiya Sanada
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada

        The main event was quite the great match. This would be from the 2016 G-1 Climax tournament with Kenny Omega’s matches with Tetsuya Naito and Hirooki Goto airing next week.

LEGACY FIGHTING ALLIANCE AT 9 P.M. EASTERN ON AXS TV

CMLL TONIGHT LIVE FROM ARENA MEXICO AT 10:30 P.M. EASTERN TIME

  • Shockercito & Electrico vs. Demus 3:16 & Pierrothito
  • Silueta & Princes Sugei & Sanely vs. Dallys & Zeuxis & Reyna Isis
  • Maximo Sexy & Titan & Stuka Jr. vs. Kraneo & Hechicero & Ripper
  • Dragon Lee vs. Niebla Roja
  • Mistico & Angel de Oro & Valiente vs. Negro Casas & Cavernario & Felino
  • Diamante Azul & Matt Taven & Volador Jr. vs. Rush & La Mascara & Pierroth

We’re looking for reports on WWE shows on Saturday night with Raw from Portland, ME, Smackdown from Johnson City, TN and NXT in Tampa to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

INVICTA ON UFC FIGHT PASS ON SATURDAY NIGHT

  • Madison McElhaney vs. Felicia Spencer
  • Kai Holliday vs. Miranda Maverick
  • Sunna Davidsdottir vs. Mallory Martin
  • Amber Brown vs. Ashley Cummins
  • Jinh Yu Frey vs. Janaisa Morandin
  • DeAnna Bennett vs. Jodie Esquibel
  • Ayaka Hamasaki vs. Livia Renata Souza
  • Tonya Evinger vs. Yana Kunitskaya for the bantamweight title

Sunday has WWE in White Plains, NY featuring HHH & Samoa Joe & Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn & Finn Balor & Chris Jericho, plus Smackdown in Raleigh, NC.

NEW JAPAN FROM TOKYO KORAKUEN HALL AT 5:30 A.M. MONDAY MORNING EASTERN TIME ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Tomoyuki Oka vs. Bad Luck Fale
  • Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask & Hirai Kawato vs. Takashi Iizuka & Desperado & Taka Michinoku
  • Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Togi Makabe vs. War Machine & David Finlay
  • Hirooki Goto & Gedo & Jado vs. Minoru Suzuki & Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Taichi
  • Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano & Baretta vs. Kenny Omega & Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Juice Robinson & Manabu Nakanishi & Ryusuke Taguchi & Kushida vs. Tetsuya Naito & Seiya Sanada & Evil & Bushi & Hiromu Takahashi
  • Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Katsuyori Shibata & Yuji Nagata

Raw will be Monday in Philadelphia at the Wells Fargo Center with a Seth Rollins vs. HHH contract signing, plus Undertaker, Brock Lesnar and Bill Goldberg all appearing. There is also a Smackdown brand house show in Norfolk, VA on Monday night.

Smackdown and 205 Live will be taped on Tuesday in Richmond, VA for the final main roster show before WrestleMania. Bray Wyatt vs. Luke Harper is scheduled for Smackdown and Rich Swann vs. Noam Dar for Raw.

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 3/20/2017: Is AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon the right match for Wrestlemania?

While the decision to have AJ Styles face Shane McMahon at WrestleMania has drawn criticism from a lot of people, I’ve remained mostly ambivalent about the matchup. Or at least that’s how I felt until last Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown. The seven weeks between Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania kept the feud between Styles and Shane from really building until now, but it was surprisingly worth the wait when it did… Subscribers click here to continue.

WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: March 27, 2017: WWE potentially buying ROH, Jan Ross passes away, more

This week’s lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is regarding ROH, WWE and the current situation with ROH. It looks at the ramifications of a possible purchase, and how a sale changes the dynamics of the industry far past just ROH.

There is an update on the WrestleMania situation, with notes on new matches and plans, as well as ticket sales and matches throughout the weekend.

There are notes on the unique story involving Impact Wrestling making a deal with AAA as well as a current deal with The Crash, which has all kinds of strange political implications. Plus, look at Impact planning a potential PPV show to be held in Mexico, the unique contractual hurdles involved, and recent changes in AAA writing.

An update on the Paige situation can be read about.

There are also a number of WWE Hall of Fame updates, how the Hall of Fame has changed, an update on Mauro Ranallo, an update on Shinsuke Nakamura, more on the WrestleMania 32 attendance, Kurt Angle talks his return, lots more people coming to WWE, Fan Axxess plans and matches scheduled, WWE responds to a concussion lawsuit, plus the most watched shows of the week on WWE Network.

Check out the notes on all the WWE and NXT arena events over the past week, with in-ring highlights, results, crowd reactions and business notes.

Inside has full coverage of the New Japan Cup finals, as well as the other tournament matches, plans for the next month in Japan including the next three New Japan World live events.

There is a major feature on the retiring Manami Toyota, arguably the greatest female wrestler of all-time, talking about her background, her heyday, the boom of women’s wrestling, the Crush Gals and Beauty Pair era, the show where Toyota first got over, and so many of her awards.

Finally, look at CMLL’s first major show of the year with business notes, who is Pierroth, and match-by-match coverage with tar ratings.

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.

WON BACK ISSUE: February 28, 2000, WCW Super Brawl review, Super J Cup, plus tons of news

There is little to say about SuperBrawl 2000 other than James Brown was there and got a big reaction, and the crowd popped pretty big for Hulk Hogan’s ring entrance. It was a WCW show filled with young guys who the crowd doesn’t know or care about and old guys that the crowd knows but isn’t interested in except as short-term nostalgia acts. The big surprise of Sting returning meant little. The return of Roddy Piper returning was really sad, and showing clips of the 1989 Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk I Quit match only emphasized how great they once were compared to what the company puts out today, and how much older they’ve gotten… Subscribers click here to continue.

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

For the weekend WWE shows, the Raw crew main event is scheduled as Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman. Chris Jericho and HHH are only advertised for White Plains, and neither is scheduled in either Montreal (which is scheduled to have a Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn singles match) or Portland, ME. On the Smackdown side, John Cena and Randy Orton are working the entire weekend. Jason Jordan, Chad Gable and the Usos aren’t advertised for the house shows. Asuka is scheduled for all three Smackdown brand house shows this week.

There have been some questions about this because of a mistake in a WWE press release that was sent out. But the WrestleMania schedule is for the pre-show to start at 5 p.m Eastern time with a two hour show on the WWE Network before the PPV at  7 p.m. The mistake going around is the PPV listed at starting at 8 p.m.

A story on Glenn “Kane” Jacobs looking at running for Mayor of Knox County in Tennessee is here. (thanks to Kelly Morton)

New Japan announced today that tickets for its 7/1 and 7/2 Long Beach shows at the Convention & Entertainment Center will go on sale at 4/1 at 8 a.m. Eastern time. Tickets are priced at $150 (front row), $100, (rows 2-5), $80 (rows 6-9), $60 (rows 10-13) and $30 (rows 14-17). There will also be several meet and greet sessions at Noon both days. The shows will start at 5 p.m. The building is set up for a 3,000 seat capacity.

Kyle O’Reilly’s first matches for Evolve are set for 4/22 in Queens, NY against Keith Lee, 4/23 in Brooklyn against Fred Yehi, 5/20 in Chicago against Matt Riddle and 5/21 in Livonia, MI.

Today is Undertaker’s 52nd birthday.

Yesterday was the 36th anniversary of the first-ever five star match, a March 23, 1981 match at the Mid South Coliseum in Memphis between Terry Funk and Jerry Lawler

WWE

  • There will be a new Undertaker collection added on Monday to the WWE Network. It will likely be a collection of his WrestleMania matches, that are already up in other forms.
  • Paul Heyman and his Looking 4 Larry ad agency has been hired by the Richmond International Speedway to handle marketing and promotion for the trick kicking off with races that take place in September. He was hired to help widen the appeal of the races in that city. He was hired to help them market starting with a race on 9/9 through all platforms. 
  • WWE announced that Corey Graves’ interview with Kurt angle would air Tuesday night after Talking Smack on the WWE Network.
  • There will be another Bring it to the Table with Corey Graves, JBL and Peter Rosenberg on Thursday at 8 p.m.
  • Maria Menounos will again host the Hall of Fame red carpet ceremony at 7 p.m. Friday night.

UFC

  • A great story on Dan Hardy’s autobiography writer who originally didn’t like MMA and was a boxing fan and his thoughts on it after spending time with Hardy is here. (thanks to Lee Wall)

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Aaron Pico, who we’ve written about since he was a high school freshman in Whittier, CA, who has won age group national championships in both wrestling and boxing (and an age group world championship) will be making his MMA debut at the Bellator show on 6/24 in Madison Square Garden. Pico’s debut will be on the Spike live show before the PPV starts (at least right now, this could change because Bellator has gotten so much response and interest in Pico’s debut). Pico was the first fighter ever signed to a Futures contract, when he turned 18, more than two years ago with the idea that he’d start his career in Bellator after the 2016 Olympics.
  • I will be one of the people honored at this year’s Cauliflower Alley Club banquet on 5/3 at the Gold Coast Hotel in Las Vegas. We’ll have more on this over the next few weeks. Other honorees will include Kevin Von Erich and Tully Blanchard.
  • Bellator has signed Michael McDonald from UFC. This has been expected ever since McDonald said that he was leaving UFC. He will fight in the bantamweight division, like he did in UFC.
  • Fox News has posted stories w/ video on The Young Bucks, Cody Rhodes, and Christopher Daniels,
  • What Culture Pro Wrestling from yesterday in Motherwell, Scotland: Kenny Williams b Joe Hendry, Joe Coffey b Liam Thomson, Grado b El Ligero (crowd loved this, heavy comedy with Grado using a diamond cutter on a bag of Doritos for the win), BT Gunn b Lewis Girvan, Drew Galloway b Mark Coffey, Martin Kirby b Travis Banks, Joe Coffey b Kenny Williams, Drew Galloway b BT Gunn, Marty Scurll won three-way over Will Ospreay and Matt Riddle when Ospreay lost to the chicken wing. Main event was really good. They did an angle to set up Matt Striker vs. Hendry. (thanks to Greaeme McLeary)
  • Bellator will be holding a media only press conference on Tuesday afternoon at Madison Square Garden with Scott Coker, Jon Slusser from Spike, plus Chael Sonnen, Wanderlei Silva, Fedor Emelianenko, Matt Mitrione, Douglas Lima, Lorenz Larkin, Michael Chandler and Brent Primus.
  • I’m on the Richard Deitsch Sports Illustrated podcast talking about all the things I never talk about anywhere else.
  • A story on the changing face of television and cable which affects all sports is here.
  • Glory kickboxing tomorrow from Brussels Belgium with Cedric Doumbe defending the welterweight title against Yoann Kongolo, Sitthichai defends the lightweight title against Dylan Salvador, Guto Inocente vs. Jamal Ben Saddik and Chi Lewis-Parry (who WWE has had an interest in) vs. Hesdey Gerges.
  • The Fight Network will be airing Legacy Fighting tonight at 9 p.m. from Houston, and will be airing the Glory show tomorrow starting at 4 p.m. Eastern.
  • Over the Top Wrestling on 5/6 in Dublin, Ireland has Matt Riddle vs. Kyle O’Reilly.
  • ROH has announced pre-show matches before the iPPV starts on 4/1 in Lakeland, FL as women’s matches with CMLL wrestlers Amapola vs. Marcela, Kelly Klein vs. Deonna Purrazzo and Mandy Leon & Jenny Rose vs. Sumie Sakai & Faye Jackson.
  • Fury Rising on 4/15 in Ottawa ONT at the SPK Dom Polski Polish Combatants Centre.
  • Lilian Garcia appeared on “The Price is Right” today. It was a University of South Carolina vs. Clemson themed show and Garcia went to South Carolina.
  • Big Time Wrestling on 4/14 in Sebring, FL at the Highlands Today Center with Kevin Nash, Billy Gunn, Michael Tarver, Adam Rose, Kagahas, The Dudley Twins (Devon’s two sons) and the Cuban Assassin.
  • Pure Wrestling Association on 5/13 in Kitchener, ONT at the Alpine Club headlined by Tracy Smothers vs. Joey Allen. 
  • New participants announced in the Welterweight wrestling iPPV show on 5/7 at 5 p.m. from Turners Hall in Cleveland. Already announced were Sammy Guevara,. Gory, Ace Perry, Kevin Bennett, Trey Miguel, Ryan Kidd, Rayo, Gavin Glass and Sonny Vice. New added this week are Dylan Bostic, Cam Zagami, Ace Austin, Nate Wings, Tommy Grayson, JP Grayson, Shawn Phoenix and Aiden Veil.
  • Absolute Intense Wrestling tonight in Cleveland at Our Lady of Mt Carmel with Josh Prohibition vs. Tim Donst vs Tracy Williams, Scott Norton vs. Joey Janela, Eddie Kingston vs. Swoggle, Ethan Page vs. Colt Cabana, B.J. Whitmer vs. Dominic Garrini and more including Laredo Kid and DJZ from Impact.
  • Cheech Marin, in promoting his new book on Tavis Smiley last night, talked about growing up in Los Angels and seeing Bobo Brazil, the Americas’ champion, driving his Cadillac to pick up his laundry. They showed a photo of Brazil with the title belt.
  • Mike Francesa gets into a discussion about pro wrestling, which he knows little about.
  • A story on the old Pacific Coast heavyweight title belt being found is here.

Today in Professional Wrestling History (3/24): WWF WrestleMania VII

F4W / WO EMPIRE WRESTLEMANIA GROUP INFO

BUS INFO:

  • The Empire bus trip, which will be hosted by Leva “Blue Pants” Bates, to WrestleMania will cost $50.00 and will be round trip from Rosen Inn at 9000 International Drive 32819 (a few blocks away from Wrestlcon). 
  • The bus will leave at 3:30pm (time subject to change) for WrestleMania and will leave WrestleMania no later then one hour after the show. If you would like a seat email Ed at f4wfan@hotmail.com or message him on the BOARD~! for Paypal payment instructions.

DINNER INFO:

  • WHAT: Dinner at Texas de Brazil
  • WHEN: Friday March 31st
  • WHERE: 5259 International Dr Ste F1, Orlando, FL 32819 at 5 p.m. (they may open at 4:30 for us)
  • WHO: All your best empire buddies, including BIG DAVE MELTZER
  • DETAILS: The cost of the dinner will be $68.00 which includes the dinner, salad bar, soft drinks and tea, and dessert, tax and tip. This is a pre pay dinner and you can send payment to paypal at Srjaialaiot@yahoo.com (please send as a gift to a friend). Payments must be made by March 24th (if you wait until after that, Ed will charge an extra $5.00 for being a pain).

Pro Wrestling Tees is now carrying our latest line of F4W shirts. Support the Empire~! Grab yours today!

CONTACT INFORMATION

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