Daily Update: WWE Cruiserweight Classic, UFC 203 main event, Bellator

  • F4W Staff
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WWE Cruiserweight Classic Debut

Starting Wednesday July 13, the WWE will debut its newest creation, the WWE Cruiserweight Classic. It will be only availalble on the WWE Network and will air every Wednesday at 9 P.M. Eastern. The show will last for 10 weeks, and will basically be a 32 man tournament, culminating on September 14. Daniel Bryan and Mauro Ranallo will be the announcers, so that’s already a plus. Add to it some of the world’s best high flyers in the business, and it’s sure to be excellent. Whether or not it will end up being a “classic” is yet to be determined, especially following one of the most amazing NJPW Super Junior tournaments of all time. However, I’m sure this will be must see programming on the WWE Network, especially compared to Season 2 of Swerved. 

[Dan Velten]

THE ROUNDUP

​The 10th annual Wrestling Observer/F4W convention in Las Vegas takes place during UFC’s International Fight Week from July 7 – 11.Ed in San Antonio has information up on Facebook, or you can email him at F4Wfan@hotmail.com. It’s always a fun time, so hurry up and make your plans to join Dave Meltzer, Bryan Alvarez (yes he’ll be there), Vinny, Granny, and the rest of the group in beautiful Las Vegas this July.

Our “lunch with Granny” is good-to-go at Johnny Rockets (in Excalibur), just like last year, on Saturday July 9th, at 11:30 a.m. local time. We have the “patio area” reserved for us. We’ve also been granted 10% discounts. Just tell the cashier that you’re a part of “Granny’s Gang!” And of course… the star of this event, Ms. Gladys Gibson, just has to show up and be her charming self, and she eats for FREE! See ya soon!

​If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our Youtube page! No full video shows, but lots of video clips, full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!

Figure Four Weekly 6/20/2016: Never trust Nigerian investors– Growing up as a way-too-hardcore-for-my-age wrestling fan, I looked forward to watching whatever flavor of wrestling from the Dallas Sportatorium was on ESPN and in syndication at the time. The ESPN show was perfect for kids who loved pro wrestling: It aired at 4 p.m. eastern time, so it was perfect for after-school viewing… Subscribers click here to continue reading.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

READ IT HERE: June 20, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: UFC 199/NXT Takeover reviews, UFC ownership bidding ending soon, more

This week’s Observer has a major story on the gamble of Brock Lesnar in UFC 200, the most in-depth look at the Ariel Helwani situation that you’ll find anywhere, full coverage of NXT Takeover, UFC 199, WWE Money in the Bank, and the details of TNA’s struggle to stay alive, its PPV and its future. There’s also a breakdown on the WWE cruiserweight classic, and monthly WWE and TNA business figures.

Take a look at Michael Bisping’s unlikely title win, all the ramifications of the Lesnar deal, what it shows about WWE, a look back at the last time WWE risked one of their stars against an outsider without scripting, how Ariel Helwani got to be a star reporter and how that played into what happened last week, and what aspects of the story that are really more important that haven’t been covered or have been overlooked, all covered in this week’s issue.

WWE looks at the possibility of adding PPV shows and the good and bad of that decision-making, and some economics of that decision. 

A key WWE musician passes away, more on what Ali learned from pro wrestling, Bryan Danielson attends WWE event, Bobby Roode’s debut, notes on SummerSlam, new WWE executive hire, new WWE announcer, WWE looking for new members of creative, who is expected to return shortly, another animated WWE movie, update on Paul Heyman plus a full rundown on all the WWE & NXT live events this past week and business notes on the shows, in this edition.

Take a look at the background of the NXT Takeover show, the debut of Andrade Cien Almas and what did and didn’t work, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

For UFC 199, we look at the state of the middleweight title, how everything lines up, whom Michael Bisping wants next, as well as match-by-match coverage along with pay records for those on the show.

Finally, read how TNA saved its recent TV tapings and PPV, why they were close to not happening, where money came from, and what to look out for in the future. Plus, check out Slammiversary with match-by-match coverage and star ratings.

Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL PREVIEW.

You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer.

You can also order print issues at www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

Rates are:

For the United States, it is $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 get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today.  With a 40-issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues. 

Check out the latest online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: May 10, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Fans celebrate life of Giant Baba at Tokyo Dome, PRIDE 5 recap, more. The final chapter in the career and life of Shohei Baba took place on the biggest show he ever main evented and the biggest show he ever promoted–some three months after his death.

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

Yesterday, a Pennsylvania jury acquitted a 21-year-old man charged with aggravated assault, involuntary manslaughter, and related counts stemming from a May 2015 incident where he performed Undertaker’s Last Ride on an 18-month old, inadvertently causing fatal head injuries.

Friend of the site Mookie Harrington wrote about president Gerrit Meier leaving WWE International.

Also a friend of the site, Brandon Thurston passed along that on Tuesday, WWE CFO George Barrios revealed the status of his TV contracts during a presentation:

“So first on the renewal cycle: We have the dollars there through ’18. Our three largest deals, which are the U.S., U.K. and India — actually go through ’19. So the U.S. deal is — all three of them are five-year deals. The U.S. deal will go through third quarter of 2019, and then U.K. and India through the fourth quarter.”

WWE & Professional Wrestling

  • Here’s a Fox Sports story on Jake Roberts and the audio from the interview.
  • Here’s a video of an angle between NWA Vendetta and Cen-Cal Pro Wrestling.
  • Ken Anderson talks WWE politics and history with the company on this podcast.
  • The Sydney Morning Herald compared AFL and WWE responses to violence against women.
  • The Fight Network announced they will start airing Halifax, Canada, based WrestleCentre on Wednesdays at 2 AM EST starting July 19th. It joins TNA and ROH as part of a growing wrestling block on the station. We were also told the AXS TV version of NJPW will begin there on July 7th.
  • Jake “the Snake” Roberts was on the latest episode of the Pancakes and Powerslams Show. Roberts discussed Dean Ambrose being compared to him, difficulty working with Sting, hating the overuse of finishers in today’s product, and much more.
  • Evolve has announced a huge summer line up of shows:

Tickets are now on sale in the DGUSA.tv Store or by calling 267-638-6583 for EVOLVE on July 16th in Queens, NY, July 17th in Melrose, MA, August 19th in Joppa, MD and August 20th in Brooklyn, NY. Go to the DGUSA.tv Events section for more building and info. 

  • The newest Creative Control podcast talks today’s wrestling scene, and although this was recorded before the big Roman Reigns suspension news dropped, they cover the Dean Ambrose title win, and what the future may hold for each of the former Shield members. 
  • This podcast interviews an indy wrestler from Santa Cruz, and he tells a funny story about doing stand up comedy and being kicked out of the club. 

UFC/MMA

  • Tickets for September’s UFC 203 in Cleveland featuring heavyweight champion and hometown boy Stipe Miocic vs. Alistair Overeem go on sale this Friday to the general public.
  • As a reminder, Spike TV airs the Kimbo Slice documentary this Friday at 7 PM prior to the next Bellator show featuring Rampage Jackson.
  • Bellator fighter Michael Chandler will fight for a title in his home town of St. Louis this Friday. 

SUMMER EVENTS CALENDAR

  • June 24 – ROH Best in the World from Concord, NC with Jay Lethal vs. Jay Briscoe for the ROH title
  • June 24 – Isao Kobayashi vs. Justin Lawrence will appear on Spike.com at the Bellator Dynamite show in St. Louis. This is a combo MMA & kickboxing show.
  • June 24 – Thrash Wrestling “Passion for Smashin” – Schubert Centre 3505 30th Avenue, Vernon, British Columbia V1T 2E6
  • June 25 – MCW Power Struggle in Brantford, ONT, with Cody Deaner, Rip Impact, Tyler Tirva, and more.
  • June 25 – PWA Night of Champions – Century Casino Showroom – 1010 42 Ave SE Calgary, Alberta
  • June 25 – Pure Wrestling Association, Wakas Community Hall, 180 Tsulquate Rd, Port Hardy, BC
  • June 25 – Great North Wrestling returns to the Pembroke Memorial Centre, featuring Nicolai Volkoff. Tickets available here.
  • June 25 – The UWC returns to Kelly’s Bar/Banquet Hall, 14 Railroad Avenue, Wrightstown, NJ 08562. More information here.
  • June 25 – Ultima Lucha tapings in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles at The Temple 
  • June 25 – Capital City Championship Combat this Saturday in Ottawa with “Speedball” Mike Bailey, 2 Cold Scorpio, Space Monkey, “Hot Sauce” Tracy Williams, and more.
  • July 1 – Pure Wrestling Association is proud to announce our 7th year as part of the Canada Day Celebration. Riverside Park Cambridge, Cambridge, Ontario N3H.
  • July 2 – Stars of Wrestling from Alameda, CA at the Alameda Point Gym has Bobby Lashley, Carlito and The Boogeyman appearing.
  • July 2 – NWA Cajun Heat in Morgan City, LA at the Municipal Auditorium with Jax Dane vs. Mustang Mike for the NWA title, and an appearance by Kevin Nash
  • July 7 – Rock Solid Wrestling runs in Sudbury, ON.
  • July 7-11 The 10th annual Wrestling Observer/F4W convention in Las Vegas, EdinSanAntonio has information up on Facebook, or email him F4Wfan@hotmail.com
  • July 9 – Upstate Pro Wrestling in Rochester, NY, features Ethan Pate, HC Loc, a triple threat match main event, and more.
  • July 9 – Acclaim Pro Wrestling presents: Star-Mageddon 6!
  • July 9 – Smash Wrestling in Fort Erie, ONT at the Native Friendship Center. Chris Hero will headline this fundraising event.
  • July 17 – Lucha by the Water ft Blue Demon Jr! – Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay West, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2G8, 3-6 pm. Tickets here.
  • July 17 – Premier Wrestling at the IFDES Lodge and Portuguese Hall in Gilroy, CA with Joe Graves vs. Gabriel Gallo for the Premier. Tickets at www.premierwrestle.com.
  • July 22 – Ignite Wrestling in Fort Pierce, FL at the National Guard Armory on a show with Lince Dorado, Mr. 450 Hammet, Lio Rush, Martin Stone, Los Ben Dejos, and more
  • July 22 – AIW runs on 7/22 in Cleveland, OH, with Ethan Page vs. Josh Prohibition vs. Josh Alexander, and Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae vs. Ethan Carter III & Karlee Perez
  • July 22 – The Lou Thesz Hall of Fame weekend show in Waterloo, IA, featuring Ricochet vs. Sami Callihan, Wes Brisco, B. Brian Blair, Jessika Havok, Tessa Blanchard, a steel cage match and more – This is the weekend Dave Meltzer will be honored.
  • July 23 – Chikara Pro announced a doubleheader event at Toronto’s Franklin Horner Community Center.
  • July 23 – AAW  in Merrionnette Park, IL, with Sami Callihan vs. Pentagon Jr., Zack Sabre Jr., Marty Scurll; Tommaso Ciampa; Fenix; Johnny Gargano, and plenty more. Here’s what you missed on their last show.  
  • July 23 – Masters of Ring Entertainment in Wilmington, NC, as part of Pro Wrestling Fan Expo 3 will feature Jeff Jarret vs. ECIII vs. James Storm, announced by Jarrett in this video.
  • July 24 – Fenix vs. Pentagon Jr. headlines for Lucha Libre New York at Club LaBoom in Queens, NY