Daily Update: WWE Network in China, Mayweather vs. McGregor, DX

THE ROUND-UP

The Latest from the F4W Staff

NEWS

AUDIO

We’re looking for reports from tonight’s NXT show in Bakersfield, CA to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

We’re doing polls for all three nights at Sumo Hall this weekend so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

IMPACT AT 8 P.M. ON POP TV

  • Naomichi Marufuji & El Hijo del Fantasma vs. Garza Jr & Laredo Kid
  • Kongo Kong vs. Joseph Park & Grado in a handicap match
  • LAX vs. Mayweather & Wilcox
  • Taiji Ishimori vs. ACH
  • Alberto El Patron & Sonjay Dutt & Matt Sydal vs. Bobby Lashley & Low Ki & Trevor Lee

G-1 CLIMAX AT TOKYO SUMO HALL AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN TIME FRIDAY MORNING ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Katsuya Kitamura & Tomoyuki Oka & Hirai Kawato vs. Desperado & Taichi & Minoru Suzuki
  • Tama Tonga & Tanga Roa vs. Bushi & Seiya Sanada
  • Satoshi Kojima & Juice Robinson vs. Evil & Hiromu Takahashi
  • Ray Rowe & Hanson & Michael Elgin & Ryusuke Taguchi & Ricochet vs. Cody & Hangman Page & Young Bucks & Chase Owens
  • Yuji Nagata vs. Bad Luck Fale
  • Togi Makabe vs. Yoshi-Hashi
  • Tomohiro Ishii vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • Hirooki Goto vs. Kota Ibushi
  • A block championship match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tetsuya Naito – Winner goes to Sunday’s G-1 finals

FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: Figure Four Weekly 8/7/2017: Looking at Kota Ibushi’s G1 reintroduction

As this summer’s G1 Climax begins to wind down for New Japan Pro Wrestling, so does a stretch of matches that has further reminded everyone that Kota Ibushi is one of the absolute best professional wrestlers in the world. While that isn’t a surprising development, it was a necessary one after Ibushi’s relatively quiet last two years in pro wrestling.

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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: August 14, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Takayama paralyzed, WWE financials examined, tons more

It’s a double issue this week, with extensive coverage of the WWE business, breaking it down in every category, the sad story about the paralysis of Yoshihiro Takayama, G-1 coverage, SummerSlam weekend notes, and even Hall of Fame news.

Our lead story looks at the injury and the new life of Yoshihiro Takayama, going back to the May spot where he became paralyzed, his most famous matches, his career, the Don Frye fight and his big matches during the heyday of Pro Wrestling NOAH.

Our WWE business report looks in more detail than anywhere about the quarterly numbers. Look at how the network did so far this year compared to the past few years and how the different gimmicks played out, the difference in profitability of the network vs. PPV, the exact numbers of cancellations this year as compared to the past, the remaining WWE PPV business, real attendance figures for WrestleMania, social media numbers, sponsorship numbers, where the revenue comes from, and breaking down every single revenue stream.

Look at WrestleMania business, what parts of the business are up or down, the costs and revenues per episode of Total Divas, the reality vs. fantasy of the decline in television ratings, the house show business for WWE and NXT, comparing the last two WrestleManias as well as the movie studio numbers.

There is in-depth coverage of G-1, looking at this year’s booking, the updated standings, star ratings and business notes for every show this past week, thoughts on how to change G-1 for the better next year, the Sumo Hall cards, future fall title matches, the injury to Evil and the best matches of the tournament so far.

Inside is an update on SummerSlam and NXT, as well as the ticket situation for SummerSlam weekend, WWE injuries and show length.

Check out Brock Lesnar’s post-SummerSlam schedule, the Horsewomen vs. Horsewomen angle, WWE TV deal in South Africa, Rey Mysterio’s next contract, SummerSlam viewing parties, Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly updates, and a Bruno Sammartino update.

Subscribers click here to continue.

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: July 17, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WCW Bash at the Beach with big angle reviewed, plus tons of news

It all started in late 1995 at the coffee table of the strength coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, Kim Wood’s house. Brian Pillman was 33 years old. His body was breaking down from the years of football and high flying wrestling. His contract was due the next summer. His future was stable in that there was little doubt he’d be able to renew his deal, probably for at about the $250,000 per year on a three-year deal at the level he was at.

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THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

Regarding the WWE Network in China, the price in that country will be 30 yuan monthly ($4.50) or a one year package for 198 yuan (just under $30). WWE and PPTV will split the revenue. WWE noted that the NBA has had some success with a subscription model in China. 

Ken Kaiser, who was a major league baseball umpire from 1977 to 1999, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 72. Kaiser did some pro wrestling although the stories he told about his pro wrestling in his book and in public were very much exaggerated.

Fights announced today for the McGregor-Mayweather undercard on 8/26 in Las Vegas:

  • Gervonta Davis (18-0) defends the IBF junior lightweight title against Francisco Fonseca (19-0-1)
  • Nathan Cleverly (30-3) defends the WBA light heavyweight title against Badou Jack (21-1-2)
  • Andrew Tabiti (14-0) vs. Steve Cunningham (29-8-1) for the vacant USBA cruiserweight title
  • Shawn Porter (27-2-1) vs. Thomas Dulorme (24-2)
  • Juan Heraldez (12-0) vs. Jose Miguel Borrego (13-0)

        The first three fights listed will be on the PPV and the other two will air on the prelim show on FOX.

This is awesome, a song on Conor McGregor that has already been viewed in one day by a few million people.

WWN announced that its location for all of its shows over WrestleMania weekend from 4/5 to 4/7 all day long will be the Pontchartrain Convention & Civic Center in Kenner, LA.

WWE

  • The company is pushing that tomorrow will be the 20th anniversary of the formation of DX, which debuted on the August 11, 1997 TV show. In honor of this, the WWE Network will be doing a weekly series called Flashback Fridays, starting at 3 p.m. Eastern, which this week being a marathon of DX material.
  • CMT has renewed Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge show for a fifth season, which starts on 9/26 at 10 p.m.
  • Heath Miller (Heath Slater) has opened up a wrestling school in Atlanta, the Face 2 Face Wrestling Academy. It opened yesterday. The 7,200 square foot facility features rings, a strength training area, locker rooms and a media/AV center. Listed as instructors are Teddy Long, Ron Simmons and Jazz. 
  • Pro Wrestling Sheet reported that Darren Young has been medically cleared to return after elbow surgery.
  • WWE returns to Sacramento on 9/22 and has a presale going on at WWEFAN. The matches announced are Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman vs. Samoa Joe, The Miz defends the IC title against the winner of a Battle Royal and Shamus & Cesaro vs. Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose.
  • Freemantle International, which is WWE’s European DVD distributor, noted about the decision originally made not to release SummerSlam on Blu-Ray and that over the last two years, sales of WWE Blu-Rays have declined and there hasn’t been enough demand to continue. However, the decision was made to release SummerSlam on Blue-Ray as a test. “We will closely monitor the performance of this release and it will directly affect our future Blu-Ray plans.”
  • In another budget cut, Cathy Kelley’s NXT Insider show on YouTube has been canceled.
  • An interview with Jason Jordan & Chad Gable from the Waterloo wrestling Hall of Fame.
  • Detroit movie critics on Fox 2 said that “Armed Response,” the new WWE movie with Wesley Snipe and Anne Heche as well as Colby Lopez (Seth Rollins) and Gene Simmons was terrible. Tom Santilli said it came off like a direct-to-cable action movie you’d see on Cinemax in the 90s. (thanks to Jake Koch)
  • There will be a Ringside with Jim Ross show on 12/16 in Boston, hosted by Jeremy Borash.
  • Ross has a show tonight in Washington, DC at the Improv.
  • Low Blows Wrestling Parties in Ireland has a SummerSlam beach party on Sunday from Buskers On The Ball in Templebar, Dublin starting with NXT Takeover and SummerSlam with the Low Blows band performing wrestling themes and Justin Shape of OTT at the party, with beach games, beer pong and more. 
  • Nikki Bella wrote on Twitter that she would be at ringside for SummerSlam to see the John Cena vs. Baron Corbin match. 

UFC

  • Anderson Silva vs. Kelvin Gastelum will headlined an 11/25 show in Shanghai, China.
  • Donovan Frelow, who fought on last night’s Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contenders show, after losing a decision to Ricky Simon, he pulled a ring out from his cup and proposed to his girlfriend, who accepted. 

MISCELLANEOUS

  • All Japan Pro Wrestling will be available on The Fite App starting Saturday. There are six shows available on VOD. They also have an Impact One Night Only show from the GFW tapings in Las Vegas on Friday night. 
  • Former WCW wrestler Brad Cain, better known as Lodi, will be undergoing neck surgery today.
  • I haven’t seen this match, but people have been raving about the Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Brian Cage GHC title match.
  • This year’s Lucha Libre World Cup, which will feature talent from Lucha Underground and AAA, will take place on 10/9 and 10/10 in Tokyo.
  • Smash Wrestling on Sunday at the Phoenix Concert Theater in Toronto features Bobby Lashley vs. Speedball Mike Bailey and Tyson Dux vs Mark Haskins. The show will be filmed for the Smash Wrestling TV show on The Fight Network.
  • Lio Rush’s final match before he goes to WWE will be Saturday at the MCW Arena in Joppa, MD for Fan Appreciation night. Rush vs. his trainer, the Bruiser, will headline.
  • Legacy Fighting will have four shows in four weeks on AXS TV. It starts 8/18 with a show from Sioux Falls SD at the Sanford Pentagon headlined by former UFC fighter David Michaud vs. Ciro Rodrigues. 8/25 in Prior Lake, MN at the Mystic Lake Casino is headlined by Chad Curry vs. Nick Barnes. 9/1 in Branson, MO at the Branson Convention Center is headlined by Kyle Noblitt vs. Antonio Branjao. Finally, 9/8 in Broomfield, CO at the 1st Bank Center is headlined by Ian Heinisch vs. Markus Perez. All shows start at 9 p.m. Eastern time on AXS TV
  • Wrestling Revolver on 10/28 in Cilve, IA at the Seven Flags Event Center with Joey Ryan & Candice LeRae vs. Besties in the World vs. Zero Gravity vs. LuchaSaurus & Serpentico in a ladder match, Ricochet vs. Jason Cade, AR Fox vs. Daga, Davey Richards vs. Brian Cage and Jake Crist vs. Jessicka Havok.
  • NWL tomorrow night in St. Joseph, MO headlined by Maverick vs. Bob Holly an Jake Foster vs. Jeremy Wyatt. They also have a TV taping on 8/18 in Overland Park, MO with Dak Draper & Maverick vs. Haku & The Barbarian, and run 8/29 in Wichita, KS with Haku & Barbarian vs. Besties.
  • Jason Kincaid vs. Austin Theory has been added to the Evolve show tomorrow night in Joppa, MD. Also added is a tag team title match with Anthony Henry & James Drake defending vs. Tracy Williams & Rory Gulak. Henry & Drake also defend Saturday night in Queens, NY against Kincaid & Fred Yehi.
  • Evolve will have a Norman Smiley seminar on 9/22 in Livonia, MI.
  • Due to a travel issue, tomorrow night’s Defy main event with Shane Strickland vs. Rey Fenix is out, and Strickland will now defend in Kings County against Matt Cross.
  • The El Rey Network will be filming an episode of their new series Bushido Battleground on Sunday on the USS Midway at 910 N. Harbor Drive 1 in San Diego, featuring some submission grappling matches.
  • SEP Death of Hogtown on 9/17 at the Rockpile in Toronto.
  • NLW on 10/28 in Hamilton, ONT at the Christopher Banquet Hall.
  • New England Championship Wrestling on 8/12 in Wakefield, MA at the Americal Civic Center with a single elimination tag team tournament.
  • Rich Bocchini, formerly Rich Brennan in WWE, will be the voice of MLW One Shot at Gilt Nightclub in Orlando on 10/5 for the Ricochet vs. Shane Strickland main event.
  • NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling on 8/19 in Kingsport, TN at the Civic Auditorium,.
  • CWE tonight in Calgary at the Marlborough Community Hall with Matt Hart (son of Smith Hart), Silas Young, Jonathan Gresham, Phil Atlas, Kelly Klein and Kaito Kiyomiya.
  • Sabu vs. Shane Douglas will headlined the XICW show at Cobo Hall in Detroit. Cobo Hall was the home of weekly pro wrestling in Detroit during the heyday of The Sheik. Kongo Kong vs. Zach Gowen is also on the show.
  • Hannibal vs. Tom Lawlor headlines tomorrow night in Montreal for CRW Quebec for the Canadian title. The show, which also includes Wes Brisco, takes place at 875 Notre-Dame Lachine.
  • Ricky Steamboat will be appearing for River City Wresting on 9/8 in Kirby, TX at the Turner Club.

Today in Pro Wrestling History: Hollywood Hogan wins WCW World title at Hog Wild

F4W Online / Wrestling Observer Vegas Convention Event Info

August 17-21; All times are TBA; Full information on the group Facebook page; Activities subject to change

For ticketing information go to https://f4wvegas.brownpapertickets.com/

  • Thursday: Meet at the High Roller for Bowling at the Link; Party at Carnival Court at Hurrah’s
  • Friday: Kiss Mini Golf tournament at the Rio; Dinner at Texas de Brazil; Suite party (location TBA)
  • Saturday: Future Stars of Wrestling show featuring Disco Inferno, Stephan Bonnar, Phil Baron, Shotzi Blackheart, and co-main events: 3-way match with Leva Bates vs. Mia Yim vs. Hudson Envy, and “Filthy” Tom Lawlor vs. Thomas Santell (f.k.a. Antonio “The Promise” Thomas); NXT viewing party at the Sci-Fi Center
  • Sunday: SUPER CHINA BUFFET DAY at the Wicked Spoon Buffet at 1pm; SummerSlam viewing party at the Sci-Fi Center
  • Monday: Goodbye lunch at Chen Chen at NY NY
  • All website members will also receive a 15% discount on any purchases from the Las Vegas Fight Shop for the entirety of the convention

Texas de Brazil, Wicked Spoon, NXT and Summer Slam will all be sign up and pre-paid events, prices and collection begin in mid July~!

Pro Wrestling Tees is now carrying our latest line of F4W shirts. Support the Empire~! Grab yours today!

CONTACT INFORMATION

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