Daily Update: WWE notes, AEW, Robert Whittaker

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Kenny Omega signs with AEW

While it had become expected leading into the announcement, that doesn’t make Kenny Omega joining All Elite Wrestling any less of a vital move for the start-up company.

Omega signing with AEW was confirmed at last week’s Double or Nothing ticket announcement party in Las Vegas. Omega signed a four-year deal that allows him to still wrestle for New Japan Pro Wrestling if he wants to (and if NJPW will have him). And in addition to his in-ring role, Omega will serve alongside Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks as an executive vice president of the promotion.

WON NEWSLETTER: February 11, 2019: NJPW New Beginning in Sapporo review, more

I have no idea how this issue got done. I had surgery on my left little finger which was broken in three places on 1/30, and it seemingly went well.

NJPW – New Beginnings: The two nights together did 10,957 paid with one sellout up from 10,002 last year. Tanahashi & Okada as The Dream Team vs. Jay White & Bad Luck Fale did the same as Tanahashi vs. Suzuki did last year for the IC title but paid was much higher this year for Naito vs. Taichi in Taichi’s hometown than for Kenny Omega vs. Jay White for the U.S, title last year, although both were sellouts.

At Smackdown on Tuesday, several talents with contracts coming due were asked to sign new long-term deals after Dean Ambrose told the promotion he wasn’t going to sign a new contract. 

Ian Riccaboni signed a new contract with ROH to continue as their play-by-play announcer.

UFC held a press conference today. The big heat seemed to be between Tyron Woodley and Kamaru Usman, building up their Welterweight Title fight at UFC 235 on March 2nd. Jon Jones is facing Anthony Smith on that show.

Conor McGregor will not be fighting Donald Cerrone in April. Khabib still claims he is not fighting for a year.

Jose Aldo defeated Renato Moicano, 44 seconds into the 2nd round. First round was very close. But it was the “old Aldo”, just destroyed him. Aldo is still talking about retiring at the end of this year. 

Filthy Tom Lawlor is the new MLW champion defeating Low Ki at their super fight one hour Bein Sports TV special from the 2300 (ECW) Arena in Philadelphia.

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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • WWE is doing a storyline where Charlotte Flair has said she’ll be front row to watch Ronda Rousey’s Raw Women’s Championship match against Ruby Riott at Sunday’s Elimination Chamber PPV.
  • Big E tweeted about Kofi Kingston’s performance in last night’s gauntlet match on SmackDown: “Sometimes you forget the dude you’ve goofed off with for the last 4+ years is a legend. Putting in an actual hour against (and DEFEATING) world champs & future HOFers was awe inspiring & humbling. Last night was one we will never forget.”
  • Xavier Woods also wrote: “He will become champion. He will.”
  • TJ Wilson’s (Tyson Kidd) rental car was stolen while he was at last night’s SmackDown.
  • Squared Circle Sirens reported that Ronda Rousey has had cameras at her farm the last few weeks filming for Total Divas. Sonya Deville has joined the cast as well, while Lana and Rusev won’t be back for the next season. Pro Wrestling Sheet also reported that Nikki & Brie Bella and Paige won’t be part of next season’s cast.
  • WWE released a brief trailer for the Mark Henry documentary that’s airing after Elimination Chamber on Sunday.
  • Triple H posted a picture of him with The Revival following their Tag Team title win on Raw: “Uncompromising in beliefs…Undying in passion…and unstoppable in their pursuit to be the best. Congratulations to @DashWilderWWE and @ScottDawsonWWE on becoming the NEW #Raw Tag Team Champions. #WeAreNXT #Forever #FTR”
  • Bret Hart paid tribute to Pedro Morales: “Goodbye to a great friend. One of the kindest, wisest wrestlers I ever knew. When I first started in WWE, he told me: ‘You can’t stop talent.’ I followed those words for the rest of my career. RIP Pedro Morales”
  • WWE Network News reported that tomorrow’s Valentine’s Day-themed Hidden Gems section additions are:
  • Johnny Valentine vs. Lou Thesz (Championship Wrestling from Florida, 1973)
  • A brief video where Greg Valentine “showcases the devastating effects of his elbow drop as he prepares for battle” (Championship Wrestling from Florida, 1976)
  • Bob Backlund defending the WWWF title against Greg Valentine in an hour-long match (WWWF, 1979)
  • Ric Flair vs. Greg Valentine (Mid-Atlantic Wrestling, 1980)
  • Bunim/Murray Productions is holding a casting call at Barney’s Beanery in Burbank, California this Saturday for WWE’s reality show that will “document the search for the next great female competitor.”
  • Paige rewatched her Divas Championship win from April 2014.

Pro Wrestling

  • Brandi Rhodes issued a statement reaffirming that AEW will be an inclusive environment: “As we look ahead to Las Vegas, let’s take this opportunity to make it clear that AEW is totally inclusive. We fully support and celebrate all of our athletes, and all of our fans, regardless of their sexual orientation, race, gender, religion or ethnicity. Period. A safe, inclusive, respectful and very cool environment will be central to everything we do at AEW. Be who you are, and come as you are. Because we’re all going to come together as a community to change the world.”
  • Cody Rhodes noted that there were Double or Nothing tickets purchased from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., Canada, the UK, Mexico, Australia, Costa Rica, Finland, Germany, Panama, and Austria. He called it the first same-day sellout for pro wrestling in Las Vegas.
  • ROH general manager Greg Gilleland spoke to CBS Local Sports and was asked about potentially partnering with AEW: “Everything definitely ended amicably. We’ve talked to them since. Right now, there’s nothing to explore. There are three events, potentially, and there’s the rumored potential of the TV deal. We would have to know what we’re exploring, to answer that. Joe [Koff] and I are businessmen first. We would never turn down an opportunity, but the opportunity has to make sense for us and for our brand. I think probably the best answer I can give you is that we’ll explore every opportunity, and we’ll do what’s best for our brand and, more importantly, our fans.”
  • EVOLVE is doing a Twitter poll where the winner will face Ricochet at EVOLVE 123 in Melrose, Massachusetts on March 15. The options are Shane Strickland, AR Fox, and Orange Cassidy.
  • EVOLVE will debut in Indianapolis with a show at Southside Turners on May 11. They’ll also be in Livonia, Michigan on May 10.
  • Lucha Central reported that Texano Jr. is the latest wrestler to file a lawsuit over Lucha Underground contract issues.
  • A “Behind the Paint” event with Sting has been announced for Starrcast II. It will be hosted by Tony Schiavone.
  • EVOLVE has a mini-documentary on Darby Allin ahead of him challenging for Austin Theory’s EVOLVE Championship on Friday night.
  • AEW president Tony Khan appeared on the latest episode of Talk is Jericho.

UFC/MMA

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Shawn Michaels vacates WWF title

Ed in San Antonio presents the WRESTLEMANIAWeekend Events (more to be added):

  • Sunday, April 6th, at 12:00 pm: Lunch (all you can eat) at Churrascaria Plataforma ($90 per person), located at 316 W. 49th street in Manhattan. Purchase tickets here~!
  • Luxury Bus to MetLife Stadium for Wrestlemania: We will depart from the Hilton Midtown (site of Wrestlecon) located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Departure time is 4:00 pm and will return from MetLife approximately 30 mins after the event. Times are subject to change, and cost $67.00 per person for the round trip. Purchase tickets here~!

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