Daily Update: WWE & Fox, Austin signing at WrestleCon, Gronkowski

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THE LATEST AUDIO

​F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Recapping Elimination Chamber and the Reigns-Strowman decision

What had been expected for nearly a year became official on Sunday night as Brock Lesnar defending the Universal Championship against Roman Reigns was announced for WrestleMania 34. Reigns defeated Braun Strowman, Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, John Cena, Elias, and The Miz in the main event of the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view to set up him challenging Lesnar at WrestleMania. The match came down to Reigns and Strowman, with Reigns finally putting him down with two spears.

WON NEWSLETTER: February 26, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Raw gauntlet match, brand exclusive PPVs ending, more

A look at some of the longest matches in WWE history is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Then, look back to the Bruno Sammartino era and his matches with Waldo Von Erich and Pedro Morales, as well as look at the gauntlet match on Monday with notes on records.

Look at the reason behind WWE changing its PPV schedule, cutting back on the individual brand PPV shows and lowering the number of shows this year, the reasons behind it, the schedule for the rest of the year and an update on the next two PPV shows.

Read about the possible retirement of Keiji Muto and the latest issues facing Roman Reigns. Also look at past precedents in this situation.

There is a detailed look at New Japan’s tour of Australia, including business notes, the highlights from all the shows and talks regarding returning.

Look at Donald Cerrone and career all-time records in UFC with coverage of Sunday’s show from Austin, TX.

Read a major feature on the career of Jeff Jarrett, from his days working for his father, the move to WWF, what did and didn’t work, the infamous holding up Vince for money and background of that story, his WCW run, why WWF never took him back, the starting and history of TNA and why WWF is putting him in its Hall of fame.

Read notes on the death of Tom Zenk and how it relates to an entire era of wrestling.

This issue has more on the release of Rich Swann and his schedule, an update on the cruiserweight title tournament, a unique match added to the next Madison Square Garden show, executive positions opened, SummerSlam notes, The Miz’s baby shower, where WWE holds live events, WWE market value, Ronda Rousey honored and the most-watched shows over the past week on the WWE Network.

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: February 12, 2001 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Debut of the XFL, Stan Hansen retires, more

With fan and media reaction after its debut all across the board and a huge buzz leading to a monstrous television rating, the only way to review the debut of the XFL over the weekend is this. Despite what sports people may think and even hardcore fans of sports may think, the majority of people attend sporting events as well as wrestling events based on quality of hype. They enjoy themselves based on quality of atmosphere of the show, and going home happy (either the babyface prevailing at the end or the home team prevailing). 

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Fox Sports was well represented at last night’s episode of SmackDown in Los Angeles. Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated noted on Twitter that Fox Sports president Eric Shanks, talent producer Jacob Ullman, and on-air talent Colin Cowherd (who has mocked pro wrestling in the past) were in the front row at the show. Whether that means anything remains to be seen, but it’s interesting given that Fox has been reported as a potential suitor for WWE content. Cowherd also posted a photo with Charlotte Flair and Natalya last night.
  • Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, who the WWE has been interested in, is expected to return to the NFL next season and leave his pursuit of acting/pro wrestling until after his football career. After that news was reported, Gronkowski wrote “#clueless” with the shrugging emoji on Twitter. Gronkowski’s website ran an article earlier this week about his friendship with Mojo Rawley and Gronkowski’s father helping Rawley get into wrestling.
  • The first semifinal match in WWE’s Cruiserweight Championship tournament was set as Cedric Alexander defeated TJP and Roderick Strong beat Kalisto in quarterfinal matches last night. Mustafa Ali vs. Buddy Murphy and Drew Gulak vs. Mark Andrews will take place next week to decide who advances to the other semifinal.
  • WWE uploaded the full interview with Drake Maverick where he talks about his vision for 205 Live.
  • The second round also began on Mixed Match Challenge last night, with Asuka & The Miz defeating Sasha Banks & Finn Balor. Alexa Bliss & Braun Strowman vs. Naomi & Jimmy Uso is next week’s match. The team that wins that will face Asuka & Miz in the semifinals.
  • In a post-SmackDown video, Becky Lynch and Carmella set up a match against each other for next week.
  • WWE.com posted an article about Matt Hardy teasing that his feud with Bray Wyatt is leading to “The Ultimate Deletion.”
  • Bayley visited Big Time Wrestling, where she got her start in pro wrestling, to film material for an “upcoming WWE documentary.”
  • In an in-character tweet, Tommaso Ciampa wrote that he isn’t allowing WWE Shop to sell his “Blackheart” shirt: “WWEShop reached out to me about selling this design on their site, stating they have received ‘a record number of requests from fans worldwide’…I said, ‘no’. Fans? The same ‘fans’ that wanted to replace me? I will never forget…”
  • Dash Wilder is lobbying for The Revival to get a shot at the Raw Tag Team titles.

Pro Wrestling

UFC/MMA

Today in Professional Wrestling History: Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen win NWA tag titles

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