Daily Update: WrestleMania week news and notes, McGregor, more

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THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

​F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Looking ahead to Wrestlemania 34

Though there will always be some complications when putting a big show together, things have pretty much fallen perfectly into place for WWE heading into WrestleMania 34 on Sunday. The 14-match card was scheduled to be finalized heading into this week’s television, with John Cena vs. The Undertaker left as the last thing to be confirmed. In a different era, it would have been insane to not announce such a big match before the go-home episode of Raw. But selling WWE Network subscriptions is a bit different than pay-per-views, and the match almost feels unnecessary on such a loaded event.

WON NEWSLETTER: April 9, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Massive Wrestlemania 34 weekend, more

The final words before WrestleMania, the change in UFC’s PPV this week, coverage of Sakura Genesis and a look at the Andre the Giant documentary are the lead stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Read the update on WrestleMania and the week regarding the matches, the questions and ticket sales. Look at what WWE Fan Axxess has scheduled and notes on who will be appearing on the different shows.

Go through the background of UFC making Max Holloway vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov as Saturday’s PPV main event, including how Tony Ferguson was injured, who else was asked to face Nurmagomedov, challenges for Holloway, examining the risk/reward for Holloway and what Dana White says about how it all went down. 

Find out about the crazy risks that Will Ospreay has been taking, his match with Marty Scurll at Sakura Genesis as well as the Kazuchika Okada vs. Zack Sabre Jr. match, go through the upcoming matches, the lineups for the next month of new Japan major shows, business notes on the show, as well as the huge controversy Sabre got into based on a promo he did in Japan making mainstream media in Mexico.

Examine the life and times of Andre the Giant, and review the upcoming HBO documentary on Andre, how it got done, myths about Andre, Andre’s early days, where the name came from, behind his confrontations with Akira Maeda, Blackjack Mulligan and Badnews Allen, the famous Andre vs. The Monster story, the build to Andre vs. Hogan and the sad end of his career and life.

There is more on Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman and their WWE futures, who WWE says won’t be at Mania, notes to look for when WWE announces its new number, more on Greatest Royal Rumble, thoughts on WWE, injuries, health of Daniel Bryan, who else was talked with about teaming with Ronda Rousey, the next planned Roman Reigns program, Cena and Dwayne Johnson have new movies out, most watched shows on WWE Network, as well as results and highlights from every WWE and NXT show this past week with business notes.

Check out the new promotion that Josh Barnett and Kazushi Sakuraba are debuting next week in Japan at Sumo Hall, with the unique rules plus Sakuraba comments on it, and so much more.

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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THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

Pro Wrestling

  • After meeting with the Louisiana athletic commission about WrestleMania week, Gabe Sapolsky tweeted that piledrivers are the only moves that will be an issue: “Just met with commission, all the ‘banned’ moves beyond piledrivers is much ado about nothing. We are going to tear the house down at the WWNLive Experience!”
  • Despite getting into a car accident yesterday, Keith Lee isn’t missing any of his matches this week: “Just wanted to chime in. Yes. I was in a car accident earlier today. Thank you for all the concern and support. But there is NO WAY I miss ANY matches this weekend! And for further positivity, @DonovanDijak found me a decent place to eat! Thanks bro! Off to Bourbon St.”
  • Matt Riddle opened up about potentially signing with a bigger company: “Right now I think we’re at a time where we don’t need one main company to be our backer. I do know if I was at a bigger company I would be seen by more people, but at the same time would they present me the way I want to be seen? Can I be Matt Riddle? Can I be the King of the Bros? Can I be that guy, or do you want to change me? I’m not really trying to change. I like who I am. I like being me.”
  • With 5,843 tickets sold, ROH’s Supercard of Honor XII show on Saturday night is now sold out.
  • ROH’s new app has launched on Android mobile and Android TV, but the company notes that the app may not be approved on other streaming platforms until after Supercard of Honor.
  • Tenille Dashwood told Cageside Seats that the way Cody Rhodes’ post-WWE run has gone is what she wants for her career right now: “That’s exactly what I want to do as well. To still keep that name and keep in the spotlight and continue my regular bookings moving forward.”
  • Cody tweeted about WWE inviting him to the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic finals: “They always very kindly do. That’s for Regal & the students. It’s their moment. I personally can’t honor him by standing next to a trophy(as beautiful as that trophy is). They do a great job promoting/protecting his influence/legacy.”
  • ROH announced that Flip Gordon will challenge for the TV title at their show in Pittsburgh on April 14th. Gordon vs. Dalton Castle in a proving ground match and The Young Bucks & Hangman Page vs. The Kingdom are set for ROH in West Palm Beach on April 27th, and Page vs. Punishment Martinez and Jay Lethal vs. Josh Woods will take place in Lakeland on April 28th.
  • Impact Wrestling sold out their reserved floor seats for tomorrow night’s show with Lucha Underground. Only general admission tickets are left.
  • Diamond Dallas Page turns 62 years old today.

UFC/MMA

Daily Professional Wrestling History: Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXV

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