Daily Update: WrestleMania week continues, Goldberg, OTT

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NEWS

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FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 3/27/2017: Looking ahead to Wrestlemania 33

As what has now become nearly a full week of WrestleMania-related events begins, the card for WWE’s marquee event of the year is virtually complete. There are 12 matches announced for WrestleMania 33 heading into the final week of build on television, though some issues still remain. Triple H vs. Seth Rollins has to be officially announced, participants in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal have to be confirmed, and we’ll see if there are plans for the SmackDown tag titles and a few other notable wrestlers left without anything scheduled…

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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: April 3, 2017: Massive Wrestlemania weekend preview, plus tons of news

With WrestleMania coming up on 4/2 in Orlando as part of the biggest weekend of pro wrestling events, as far as pure volume goes, ever in the U.S., this year, more than any other, it has been the name more than the combination of the parts.

There really isn’t the one giant main event, or two, like most years have. Brock Lesnar vs. Bill Goldberg was counted on as the main event dating back to when the program was first put together late last year. It’s not like the angle is cold because it’s not. Goldberg’s interviews have been stronger than anyone could have expected, and his impact and popularity hasn’t seemed to fizzle. Sure, his winning the title from Kevin Owens was sure to draw a few boos. But in Philadelphia, a city where if people were going to turn on him, that would be the place, while mentions of him to the live crowd drew boos, when he actually came out, it was the loudest chants of the night.

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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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WON BACK ISSUE: March 6, 2000: WWF No Way Out review, Mick Foley retires, more

Unlike most other wrestlers of similar fame, to do a career retrospective on Mick Foley is best saved for an examination probably years down the road. He was the classic overachiever, who defied all the odds, and was possibly the single greatest influence inside the ring on styles changing in the business of the past ten years. In a career destined, because he wasn’t that great athletically and didn’t have what was believed to be the right look and physique, for being mid-card for life, he ended up when his career came to a close, as one of the five biggest stars in North America, and even as a best-selling author… Subscribers click here to continue.

THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Stephanie McMahon and Triple H were on Facebook Live earlier today giving a sneak peek of WrestleMania Axxess before it opened.
  • The SmackDown Women’s Championship match is no longer listed as being on the WrestleMania 33 pre-show on WWE’s website and as of now is grouped with the rest of the main card matches.
  • SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain & Nikki Cross) vs. Tye Dillinger, Roderick Strong, No Way Jose & Ruby Riot was officially added to the NXT TakeOver: Orlando card last night. There are five matches scheduled for the show, with Bobby Roode defending the NXT Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura, Asuka defending the NXT Women’s Championship against Ember Moon, The Authors of Pain putting their tag titles on the line against DIY and The Revival in a triple threat elimination match, and Aleister Black vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas in addition to the eight-person tag.
  • Goldberg tweeted a message clarifying comments that he made about being “miserable” during his current WWE run on the Edge & Christian podcast. Goldberg had said that he was miserable due to the training that’s required in his role but reiterated that his time in WWE since returning has been an awesome experience.
  • In addition to Tian Bing, WWE announced Mark Henry for the 2017 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal today.
  • Paul Heyman wrote about why the Monday after WrestleMania is so important.
  • WWE has been releasing video diaries on Bayley, Seth Rollins, Kurt Angle, and Nikki Bella in the days leading up to WrestleMania:
    Bayley returns to the WWE Performance Center
    Bayley takes a tour of WrestleMania Axxess
    Seth Rollins reveals that he has a cold heading into WrestleMania
    Kurt Angle arrives in Orlando for the Hall of Fame ceremony
    Kurt Angle reflects on his career in preparation for his Hall of Fame speech
    Nikki Bella gets X-rays for her sprained neck before being cleared for WrestleMania

Pro Wrestling

  • FloSlam officially announced that OTT’s ScrapperMania 3 show at National Stadium in Dublin, with Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks vs. Will Ospreay, Ricochet & Ryan Smile in the main event, will air live on the service on April 15th.
  • The first major streaming show of WrestleMania week in Orlando will also be on FloSlam tonight with EVOLVE 80 at 8 p.m. ET. The lineup is:
    EVOLVE Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defending against ACH
    EVOLVE Tag Team Champions Tracy Williams & Fred Yehi defending against Michael Elgin & Donovan Dijak
    Matt Riddle vs. Drew Galloway
    Ricochet vs. Keith Lee
    Timothy Thatcher vs. Chris Dickinson
    Jaka vs. Jason Kincaid
    Ethan Page vs. Austin Theory
  • After EVOLVE, Joey Janela’s Spring Break will air at midnight ET. That show has Matt Riddle vs. Dan Severn, Joey Janela vs. Marty Jannetty, Keith Lee vs. Lio Rush, Matt Tremont vs. Eddie Kingston, and a Spring Break ClusterF&%# match among the scheduled matches.
  • Also in Orlando tonight, WaleMania III will be at Tier Nightclub with a live MLW Radio podcast taping at 9 p.m. ET before an after party. Dave Meltzer, Ricochet, Will Ospreay, Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa, Jim Ross, and more are scheduled for the event.
  • Lenny Leonard and Excalibur will be the commentary team for tomorrow’s PROGRESS: Orlando show, which is available as an iPPV on WWNLive.com.
    UFC/MMA
  • Tony Ferguson wants to face Nate Diaz during International Fight Week.
  • Mark Hunt has a massive new chest tattoo.
  • The UFC posted audio of the UFC 210 media conference call with Daniel Cormier, Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, Chris Weidman, and Gegard Mousasi that took place today.
  • Daniel Cormier said that his UFC 200 fight against Anderson Silva was the easiest of his career.

Today in Professional Wrestling History (3/30): WWE WrestleMania XIX

F4W / WO EMPIRE WRESTLEMANIA GROUP INFO

BUS INFO:

  • The Empire bus to WrestleMania, hosted by Leva “Blue Pants” Bates, will cost $50.00 and will be round trip from the Rosen Inn at 9000 International Drive 32819 (a few blocks away from Wrestlecon). 
  • The bus will leave at 3:30 p.m. (time subject to change) for WrestleMania and will leave the show no later than one hour after completion. 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 p.m. 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. Send payment via Paypal to Srjaialaiot@yahoo.com (please send as a gift to a friend). 

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

CONTACT INFORMATION

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