Daily Update: WWE draft, new GMs, Cruserweight Classic, new PWG matches

  • F4W Staff
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Tonight is the big premier of the 2 hour LIVE Smackdown broadcast featuring the WWE draft. The rules of the draft are a little wonky as Raw will get 3 picks for every 2 Smackdown picks. Raw also gets the first pick, so they’re already setting up Smackdown as the weaker challenging brand attempting to topple the flagship brand. 

The drafting GM’s were made known last night on Raw. Hardcore legend Mick Foley was announced as the Raw GM and perennial underdog Daniel Bryan was announced as the Smackdown GM. Shane McMahon talked about wanting to have a scrappy underdog brand, and thus he chose Bryan. 

Finally, due to the controversial finish in last nights WWE World Championship match, there will be a rematch tonight between Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose (c). One would presume a second disputed finish leading to some sort of double champion, one for each brand. 

TODAY

The WWE draft and the beginning of split brands takes place from Worcester, MA. 

WEDNESDAY

SUPER J CUP FIRST ROUND AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN TIME ON NEW JAPAN WORLD FROM KORAKUEN HALL IN TOKYO

  • Matt Sydal vs. Kaji Tomato
  • Gurukun Mask vs. Kenou
  • Yuma Aoyagi vs. Taichi
  • Jushin Liger vs. Eita
  • Titan vs. Will Ospreay
  • Bushi vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Daisuke Harada
  • Kushida vs. Taiji Ishimori

THE ROUND-UP

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Figure Four Weekly

READ IT HERE: Figure Four Weekly 7/11/2016: The Final Deletion – TNA got more positive buzz this past week than any time in recent memory thanks to The Final Deletion, an avant garde production from the mind of Matt Hardy. Shot on the Hardy compound (at least in-storyline as taking place right on the property line between Matt and Jeff’s homes), it was, in some ways, from the same DNA as something like Lucha Underground…but also completely different, and arguably more self-aware.

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Wrestling Observer Newsletter

READ IT HERE: July 18, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: UFC sold for 4 billion dollars, UFC 200 review, notes on the WWE draft, more – Details on the sale of UFC for 4 billion dollars, recap of UFC 200, notes on the WWE draft, plus tons more.

The most detailed look at how the UFC got sold and the business ramifications of the sale is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Also inside, a look at the Brock Lesnar deal, where things stand going forward with Lesnar, a lot of updated thoughts on the WWE draft, the future of John Cena and notes on how that affects WWE business, Battle of Los Angeles, and coverage of all the UFC shows.  

This issue contains a copy of the letter that all the UFC fighters were sent by management and what they were told about the sale.  

An in depth look at how the original partners came together and the 2001 sale of the UFC to Dana White & The Fertittas, how much money White and the Fertittas probably got in the sale, plus a lot of things about the sale that haven’t gone public yet. There’s also a look at White’s new contract with the company, and the company’s business numbers for 2015.  

Inside, examine how things are likely to change, where Lorenzo Fertitta is likely to go, the new owners and where their money came from, other bidders, and how the deal almost fell through. Plus, take a look at Lorenzo Fertitta & Dana White’s role in the company going forward, how the source of the money to buy the company changed in recent weeks, why they were able to get $4 billion and what rivalry outside sports is key in them increasing revenue.  

Finally, this issue considers where Lesnar stands coming off his win over Mark Hunt, how the deal with Lesnar was first made, a look at a clause in every WWE contract and what it specifically says about MMA, and a look at why C.M. Punk was able to get out of the clause. Plus, take a look at future MMA prospects with Lesnar, how much money he really got from the show, how he changed a lot of the criticism of his career, and why he’s more valuable now than before.  

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Wrestling Observer Newsletter BACK ISSUE

READ IT HERE: June 14, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Sable sues WWF for $140M, Martha Hart upset with WWE  – Pro wrestling’s latest spill into the national headlines came with Rena Mero’s $140 million lawsuit filed on 6/3 against Titan Sports and her subsequent quitting of the company.

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE/Pro Wrestling

  • Brandon Howard has a piece on what the financial implications of John Cena working less house shows are.
  • GMA News Online has an article on Filipino Cruiserweight Classic competitor TJ Perkins.
  • PWG made several match announcements for their Battle of Los Angeles shows. Will Ospreay vs. Fenix, Matthew Riddle vs. Kyle O’Reilly, Dalton Castle vs. Jack Gallagher, and Chris Hero vs. Jushin Liger have been announced as tournament matches. And night two of the tournament will feature two big tag matches with Ospreay, Ricochet, & Matt Sydal vs. Adam Cole & The Young Bucks and Fenix & Pentagon Jr. vs. Chris Hero & Tommy End.
  • Former WWE wrestler Nick Dinsmore will face KDLT meteorologist Brandon Spinner in a tuxedo match at Midwest All Pro Wrestling’s event on Wednesday.

UFC/MMA

  • In a rematch of their 2012 Fight of the Year contender, Jim Miller will face Joe Lauzon at UFC Fight Night in Vancouver on August 27th.
  • More bad ratings news for Bellator this weekend as the London show did just 556,000 viewers Saturday night on Spike. That was down from 601,000 for the Dynamite show 3 weeks earlier. The year to date average for Bellator prior to Saturday was about 760,000.
  • Bellator had a massive cutting spree of fighters, most fairly big names by Bellator standards. The fighters cut included Houston Alexander, Dave Jansen, Mike Richman, Raphael Butler as well as a few others. Of those, the only one that you’d think could end up with UFC would be Jansen, who has a 21-4 record including victories over Marcin Held and Rick Hawn. The downside is that Jansen is 36 years old.
  • Just announced for the UFC’s return to Hamburg is the return of “the Karate Hottie” Michelle Waterson, the former Invicta atomweight champion. She’ll face Ireland’s Aisling Daly in a strawweight fight on the card that will air September 3rd on UFC Fight Pass.
  • Also announced for the FOX show August 21st in Vancouver is a matchup of two lightweights coming off wins during International Fight Week. Jim Miller (26-8) will take on Joe Lauzon (26-11) in what should be a good fight. This is a rematch of the co-main event of UFC 155, where Miller beat Lauzon in what was the Fight of the Night and a Fight of the Year candidate.

Variety

  • Donald Trump’s entrance at the Republican National Convention last night was compared to a pro wrestling entrance. UFC president Dana White will speak at the convention tonight.

The Summer Slam Events Calendar

  • July 21- TNA IMPACT WRESTLING moving to Thursday nights on Fight Network
  • 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 22 – Bellator 159 from Mulvane, KS. Darrion Caldwell vs Joe Taimanglo. Melvin Guillard vs David “Caveman” Rickells
  • July 23 – ECWA returns to Woodbury Heights, NJ; ECWA Champion Sean Carr vs. Greek God Papadon in the Main Event
  • July 23 – Live Pro Wrestling, Glengarry Sports Palace, 170 McDonald Blvd. Alexandria, Ontario
  • July 23 – UFC on FOX from Chicago – Holly Holm vs Valentina Shevchenko.          
  • 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 Jarrett vs. ECIII vs. James Storm, announced by Jarrett, Merritton Community Centre 7 Park Ave St. Catharines, ON
  • July 24 – WWE presents Battle Ground PPV at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. It will be the fourth event under the Battleground chronology, and the first event under the newly reinstated WWE brand extension.
  • July 24 – Crossfire Wrestling – Merritton Community Centre, 7 Park Avenue St. Catharines ON, for our 5 year Anniversary show “BRING THE HEAT V”
  • July 24 – PWEclipse – Summer Surrender, Oshawa, Ontario
  • July 24 – Fenix vs. Pentagon Jr. headlines for Lucha Libre New York at Club LaBoom in Queens, NY
  • July 29, 30, 31 – ECCW returns to the Agrifair 2016 Abbortsford, BC with three shows per day. Friday and Saturday shows start at 12:00PM – 3:00PM – 8:00PM. Saturday July 30 wil feature “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart. Sunday’s shows start at 11:00AM – 2PM and 5PM
  • July 30 – UFC 201 – LAWLER VS. WOODLEY from Atlanta, GA
  • July 30 – WSOF 32: Moraes vs. Hill 2 – Live on NBCSN from Everett, Washington. Also featuring Ben “Phoenix Jones” Fodor vs Caros Fodor in a brother vs brother fight
  • July 30 – Smash Wrestling – Oshawa Music Hall, 39 King St E, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 1B2
  • July 31 – BATTLEWAR 36; Les Foufounes Électriques, 87 Sainte-Catherine Street East, Montreal, QC
  • Aug 4-6 –  !BANG! TV – Professional Wrestling Spectacular, 3 charity shows in 3 days. – More information.
  • Aug 5 – NEF Presents Dana White: Looking for a Fight. More info here.
  • Aug 6 – UFC FIGHT NIGHT – RODRIGUEZ VS CACERES, from Salt Lake City, UT
  • Aug 6 – Absolute Intense Wrestling Girls Night Out in Cleveland at Our Lady of Mt Carmel with Crazy Mary Dobson, Allysin “Sienna” Kay, Veda Scott, Shayna Baszler, Annie Social, Kelly Klein, Heidi Lovelace, Lufisto, Nicole Savoy and more.
  • Aug 6 – BIG WEST WRESTLING presents BOWLING, BODYSLAMS & BBQ, Lake City Bowling & Billiards: Kelowna, BC
  • August 12 – Zack Sabre Jr. vs.. Jeff Cobb has been added to the Revolution Pro show in London at York Hall in Bethnal Green.
  • Aug 13 – wXw NOW – The End (Tommy End’s final show in Germany, booked by The Sumerian Death Squad)
  • Aug 13 – NWA Mid South Wrestling in Dyresburg, TN at the Herb Welch Wrestle Plex headlined by Matt Riviera vs. Jeremy Moore.
  • Aug 19 – The Hardys, Drew Galloway, Ethan Carter III and Mickie James appear for House of Glory Wrestling in Jamaica, NY.  That’s the Friday before SummerSlam.
  • Aug 20 – UFC 202 – DIAZ VS MCGREGOR 2, from Las Vegas, NV
  • Aug 21 – WWE Presents THE SummerSlam PPV event at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. It will be the twenty-ninth event under the SummerSlam chronology and the second consecutive SummerSlam to be hosted in the Barclays Center.
  • Aug 21 – Chavo Guerrero Jr. will appear for Smash Wrestling on in Pickering, Ontario at Super Showdown lV.
  • Aug 21 – Octagon & Tinieblas Jr. vs. Fuerza Guerrera & Pirata Morgan headlines in Houston at the Arena Theater.  
  • Aug 26 – CONFLICT Wrestling: “Black or White“
  • Aug 26 – Bellator 160 from the Pond in Anaheim and live on Spike TV. Benson Henderson vs Patricio Pitbull Freire
  • Aug 27 – UFC FIGHT NIGHT – TBA VS TBD from Vancouver, BC. I’m already pumped.
  • Aug 28 – Destiny wrestling proudly presents “SUMMER HEAT”.

Signing schedule for the San Diego Comic Con

  • Wednesday Konnan from 7-9 p.m. 
  • Thursday Thunder Rosa aka Kobra Moon 11 a.m to 1 p.m.
  • Thursday Lisa Varon aka Victoria/Tara 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Thursday Jeff Cobb aka Matanza Cueto 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Thursday Rey Horus aka Dragon Azteca Jr. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Friday Pentagon Jr. 10 a.m. to Noon
  • Friday Fenix 10 a.m. to Noon
  • Friday Joey Ryan & Laura James 12:15 p.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Friday Famous B 2:15 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Saturday Brian Cage 10 a.m. to Noon
  • Saturday Melissa Santos 10 a,.m. to Noon
  • Saturday Johnny Mundo 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Saturday Taya 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Saturday Frankie Kazarian 3:15 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Saturday Christopher Daniels 3:15 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Sunday Lisa Varon 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Daily Pro Wrestling History (07/19): Gangstas win the ECW Tag Team Titles