Daily Update: WWE house shows, ROH, NJPW in Perth

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

We’re looking for reports on tonight’s WWE house show in Saskatoon and tonight’s ROH show in Concord, NC, as well as last night’s 5 Star show in Newcastle to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

We’re also doing two polls this weekend, one on the New Beginnings in Osaka late tonight and the other on UFC tomorrow from Perth, Western Australia. You can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

ROH TONIGHT AT 7 P.M. EASTERN FROM CONCORD, NC STREAMING LIVE AND FREE AT WWW.ROH.COM AND WWW.FITE.TV

  • Cody & Marty Scurll & Hangman Page vs. Matt Taven & Vinny Marseglia & TK O’Ryan
  • Jay Lethal vs. Jonathan Gresham
  • Young Bucks vs. Baretta & Chucky T
  • Dalton Castle & The Boys vs. Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky
  • Flip Gordon vs. Punishment Martinez
  • Kenny King vs. Shane Taylor

NEW JAPAN WORLD PRO WRESTLING AT 8 P.M. TONIGHT ON AXS TV

Kazuchika Okada vs. Tetsuya Naito for IWGP championship

CMLL AT ARENA MEXICO TONIGHT AT 9:30 P.M. EASTERN TONIGHT

  • Magnus & Magia Blanca vs. Yago & El Hijo del Signo
  • Kaho Kobayashi & Marcela & Princesa Sugehit vs. Zeuxis & Dallys & Amapola
  • Eight-team one-night parejas increibles tag team tournament: Caristico & Euforia, Atlantis & Mr. Niebla, Rush & El Terrible, Marco Corleone & Shocker, Angel de Oro & Cuatrero, Dragon Lee & Sanson, Stuka Jr. & Forastero, Blue Panther Jr. & Mascara Ano 2000
  • Mistico & Volador Jr. & Diamante Azul vs. Ultimo Guerrero & Cavernario & Kraneo

NEW JAPAN NEW BEGINNINGS IN OSAKA TONIGHT AT 3 A.M. EASTERN TIME FROM THE EDION ARENA ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Yuji Nagata vs. Katsuya Kitamura
  • Sho & Yoh vs. Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Ryusuke Taguchi & Kushida & Michael Elgin & Togi Makabe vs. Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka & Taka Michinoku & Taichi
  • David Finlay & Juice Robinson & Toa Henare vs. Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii & Jay White
  • Gedo vs. Bushi
  • Yoshi-Hashi vs. Tetsuya Naito
  • Will Ospreay vs. Hiromu Takahashi for IWGP jr. title
  • Hirooki Goto vs. Evil for Never Open weight title
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Seiya Sanada for IWGP heavyweight title

Saturday we’re looking for reports on the WWE Raw show in Calgary, Smackdown in Sacramento and the ROH TV tapings at Center Stage in Atlanta (Silas Young vs. Kenny King for TV title, Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. Baretta & Chickie T, Hangman Page vs. Christopher Daniels, Young Bucks vs. Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky, Will Ferrara & Rhett Titus vs. LSG & Shaheem Ali) to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

UFC PPV FROM PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA ON SATURDAY

Fight Pass at 6:45 p.m. Eastern time

  • Luke Jumeau vs. Daichi Abe
  • Jose Quinonez vs. Teruto Ishihara
  • Mizuto Hirota vs. Ross Pearson

FS1 at 8 p.m. Eastern time

  • Ben Nguyen vs. Jussier Formiga da Silva
  • Alexander Volkanovski vs. Jeremy Kennedy
  • Israel Adesanya vs. Rob Wilkinson
  • Damien Brown vs. Maestro Dong Hyun Kim

PPV at 10 p.m. Eastern time

  • Tyson Pedro vs. Saparabek Safarov
  • Jake Matthews vs. Li Jingliang
  • Cyril Asker vs. Tai Tuivasa
  • Mark Hunt vs. Curtis Blaydes
  • Luke Rockhold vs. Yoel Romero for interim middleweight title

Sunday has WWE Raw in Fresno, with John Cena on the show, and Smackdown in Oakland.

Raw will be Monday in San Jose featuring Apollo Crews vs. Matt Hardy vs. Finn Balor vs. Bray Wyatt for the final spot in the Elimination Chamber. There will also be a Smackdown house show in Stockton.

Tuesday will be a Smackdown / 205 Live and Mixed Match Challenge taping in Bakersfield. Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin for a spot in the Fast Lane title match, plus Elias & Bayley vs. Rusev & Lana and cruiserweight title tournament first round matches with Akira Tozawa vs. Mark Andrews and Drew Gulak vs. Tony Nese are all scheduled.

​F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Can a reboot salvage 205 Live?

The most newsworthy week in recent WWE history capped off with Ronda Rousey appearing at the end of the Royal Rumble on Sunday night. Instead of participating in the women’s Royal Rumble match itself, Rousey closed the show with an appearance that initially did little to reveal what’s next for her in WWE. She came out to “Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett, her old UFC walkout song, while wearing one of Roddy Piper’s leather jackets. 

WON NEWSLETTER: February 12, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Wrestlemania plans, All Japan streaming service

An update on the road to WrestleMania, including the future prospects for Brock Lesnar, the story behind Ronda Rousey, changes this past week and what they mean for upcoming shows and the next three PPV cards being looked at is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Look at WWE vs. UFC for Lesnar, the contract term, the comparisons, why his leaving was a given at one point and isn’t right now, changes in the Chamber match and different directions things can go. 

Read about the XFL, the weak heel side of WWE, Rey Mysterio Jr. talks WWE return, Takeover for WrestleMania card, Dusty Rhodes tag team tournament, notes on 2019 WrestleMania, changes to 205 Live, storyline stemming from a crazy real-life story, another new Dwayne Johnson project, success of Jumanji, Raw U.K. numbers, debut of Ricochet in WWE, several injury updates, 205 Live touring, advance ticket sales for shows, movie with WWE star, plus some notes on people training this past week at the Performance Center tryouts.

Look at All Japan’s first show of the year and its Champion Carnival tournament, and streaming service.

Find out about the injury to Max Holloway and how UFC has shuffled around booking, what major match is now out the window, who is Yana Kunitskaya and why is she main eventing while having never fought in UFC, what prior ideas UFC had and notes on other major fights the company has tried to put together.

The UFC show in Belem, Brazil is reviewed with thoughts on Mario Yamasaki as referee, weight cutting, and lot of business notes on the show including the most intriguing business note of all when it comes to television and streaming.

This issue covers the debut show of 5 Star Wrestling on Freesports, looking at the matches and direction, as well as the situation with Booker T and Corey Graves as well.

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. 

Rates in the United States are $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 choose one free classic issue, or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.

WON BACK ISSUE: January 22, 2001 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Fusient Media to buy WCW, sale of UFC, more

After nearly a full year of various rumors, negotiations, and several near finalized deals, the sale of World Championship Wrestling by Time Warner to Fusient Media Ventures was officially announced on 1/11, literally hours before the announcement that the final step of the Time Warner/AOL merger had been cleared. Fusient Media Ventures, a one-year-old company headed by Brian Bedol and Stephen Greenberg, who are best known for starting up the Classic Sports Network, and then selling it to ESPN where it became ESPN Classics, for $175 million, is the parent company. 

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

For the weekend WWE shows, Randy Orton is on the road all weekend on the Smackdown events. John Cena will be doing the Raw house show in Fresno on Sunday and is scheduled for TV in San Jose. No Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman on Raw at this point for two more weeks unless plans change.

We’ll be doing our weekend show Saturday night covering New Japan in Osaka, UFC in Australia and the WWE financials.

The ROH show from Concord, NC at 7 p.m. Eastern airs free tonight at ROHWrestling.com as well as Facebook and FITE TV.

AAA will also have a live show tonight on Twitch. The show starts at 9:30 p.m., meaning it’s head-to-head with ROH and CMLL. Johnny Mundo & Hernandez vs. Dr Wagner Jr. & Psycho Clown is listed as the main event, but AAA changes its shows around all the time so who knows, plus Taya has said Mundo is done with AAA.

Sting, Trish Stratus and Lita have been added to the Wrestlecon list of guests over WrestleMania weekend, which also includes about 100 names including Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Mick Foley,Ted DiBiase, Road Warrior Animal, Kevin Nash, Gene Okerlund, Scott Hall, Sean Waltman, Ricky Morton, Robert Gibson, DDP,Eric Bischoff, Nikita Koloff, Jerry Lawler, Penta 0M, Kevin Sullivan, Teddy Long, Ken Shamrock, King Mo and a ton of others.

New Japan announced for its 2/19 show in Perth, Western Australia, two top matches of Kazuchika Okada & Rocky Romero vs. Evil & Sanada and Kenny Omega & Gino Gambino & Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale vs. Jonah Rock & Slex & Marcius Pitt & Damian Slater.

WWE

  • John Cena was on The Today Show again this morning, doing a wedding between two wrestling fans who won a contest where Cena would officiate their wedding on national television.
  • Tyler Breeze promoting the spring European tour. (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)  

UFC

  • Luke Rockhold, who is fighting tomorrow for the interim middleweight title, said that it’s imminent he will be moving to light heavyweight. He said that it’s getting harder for him to get to 185 as he gets older, and the reason he stayed is that Daniel Cormier was champion at light heavyweight. He said that once Cormier moves to heavyweight, he’s not coming back down to defend the light heavyweight title. If that’s the case, you’d have Rockhold winning the interim title and moving up, and Cormier as light heavyweight champion and moving up. Sure makes titles meaningless.
  • Humberto Bandenay is out of the 2/18 show in Austin on FS1 where he was to face Steven Peterson due to visa problems. Brandon Davis will now face Peterson. 

MISCELLANEOUS

  • The press conference, with English subtitles, for New Beginnings in Osaka.
  • There will be another MLW show on 3/8 at Gilt Nightclub in Orlando with the semifinals of their title tournament with Jimmy Havoc, Tom Lawlor, Matt Riddle and Darby Allin.
  • A story on gold medalist Kyle Snyder getting into MMA and his talking to Daniel Cormier about it.
  • Dave Bautista has been very public with his frustrations about the city of Tampa not allowing him to put up a gate. (thanks to Mark Schreiner)
  • FIST Combat tonight in San Diego at 8:30 p.m. at the Masonic Temple with Teddy Hart vs. Eli Everfly and B-Boy vs. Dirty Ron McDonald in a fans bring the weapons match. There will also be an after-party at Rosie O’Grady’s near the venue.
  • Cleveland Knights Championship Wrestling tonight as an iPPV on FITE TV at 8 p.m. featuring appearances by Eric Bischoff as the authority figure, UFC fighter Jessica Eye and powerlifting champion Karam Izzat. The top matches are J-Rocc vs. Kongo Kong for their championship, plus also appearing are Warlord, Barbarian, Tracy Smothers, Star Roger vs. Mike Mendoza in a big match from Puerto Rico, Ricky Reyes vs. Tokyo Monster Kahagas and a Money in the bank match.
  • One has announced a return to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 3/9 with Agilan Thani vs. Amitesh Chaubey as the main event.
  • Hoosier Pro Wrestling on 3/3 in Columbus, IN at the 4-H Fairgrounds.
  • Alpha-1 Wrestling on 2/18 in Hamilton, ONT at 222 Queenston Road with Abyss vs. Josh Alexander and Rickey Shane Page vs. Alessandro Del Bruno.
  • PCW Ultra on 3/16 on Fite TV has Penta 0M vs. Rob Van Dam for their championship, Douglas James vs. Jordan Devlin for the light heavyweight title plus Flip Gordon vs. Garza Jr., and Swoggle vs. Kikutaro. (thanks to Jake Koch)
  • CWE King of Transcona tonight at Rookie’s Sports Bar in Winnipeg.
  • A story on Jack Jester.

Today in Professional Wrestling History: The Midnight Rider defeats Ric Flair

WRESTLING OBSERVER / F4W – WRESTLEMANIA 34 in NEW ORLEANS

UPDATED

Here we go again! It’s back to New Orleans for Wrestlemania 34 and a huge weekend of spectacular professional wrestling related fun and wackiness. EdinSanAntonio Productions along with the Wrestling Observer / Figure Four Empire~! is proud to present the annual Wrestlemania weekend trip details. This huge weekend includes a number of website “members only” events. Below are the two events currently scheduled. Click here for full event details.

WOR Podcast Taping:Purchase TICKETS for the Wrestling Observer Radio LIVE MAILBAG~! – ONLY 8 General Admission Tickets Remain!

  • WHAT: Wrestling Observer Radio LIVE Podcast Recording with Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez
  • WHEN: Friday, April 6th, 2018 – 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Doors open at 8:45 a.m. for VIP ticket holders and at 9:15 a.m. for general admission)
  • WHERE: The Bourbon Room, Royal St. Charles Hotel in downtown New Orleans; 135 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130

WO/F4W Brunch:Purchase TICKETS for the Wrestling Oberver BRUNCH~! – SOLD OUT~!

  • WHAT: All you care to eat brunch buffet on the morning of Wrestlemania 
  • WHEN: Sunday, April 8th, 2018 – T11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • WHERE: The Court of Two Sisters restaurant in downtown New Orleans; 613 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70130

CONTACT INFORMATION

Support the Empire~! with F4W shirts. Grab yours today!

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