Daily Update: WWE notes, CM Punk & Colt Cabana, UFC 225

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: CM Punk stepping back into the octagon

With Dr. Chris Amann’s defamation lawsuit against him and Colt Cabana still being tried at the start of fight week, CM Punk’s return to the UFC has almost become an afterthought. But in his hometown of Chicago on Saturday night, Punk will be stepping back into the Octagon just a few months short of the two-year anniversary of his loss to Mickey Gall. His opponent, Mike Jackson, is a 33-year-old photographer and combat sports personality with more fighting experience than Punk but just as many professional MMA bouts. Both Punk and Jackson have first-round losses to Gall as the only mark on their pro MMA résumés, with Gall submitting Jackson in February 2016 as he took the final step to becoming Punk’s first opponent.

WON NEWSLETTER: WON Preview (June 4, 2018): More details on Raw and Smackdown TV deals, more

An update on both the WWE & UFC television deals with how they went down and were intertwined in more details is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Look at actual finalization of the deals, how the contracts pay out, when the numbers figured and reported on actually come into play, and who negotiated the WWE’s deal. Also look at what UFC had offered for both shows and just how differently things worked out.

Look at what both deals mean for the long-term perception of WWE and UFC, and the difference in air time on television between the two properties. 

Find out the new value of WWE, and one analyst talks about what he feels the stock value will be when the new deals come into play. Look at different estimates of WWE profit margins with the new deal, update UFC profit margins, and a look at the future.

This issue also has an update on news on both Money in the Bank, Extreme Rules and the return of Brock Lesnar.

Also, rundown week two of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament with match-by-match coverage, standings, schedule and star ratings for every show.

Have a look at the Dr. Christopher Amann lawsuit against C.M. Punk and Colt Cabana and early testimony, the Mauro Ranallo documentary, what was the key to Ranallo’s career, the U.K. tournament and slow ticket sales, and John Cena’s message to the locker room.

Look at what appears to be the final pro wrestling show at American Legion Post 308 in Reseda.

This issue runs down Io Shirai signing with WWE, the story behind it, her departure from Stardom, who she is, her link to Asuka, and two other Stardom women who are WWE-bound.

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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

Pro Wrestling

  • Colt Cabana released a “Scott Free” (referencing his real first name) shirt on Pro Wrestling Tees after the jury ruled in favor of him and CM Punk yesterday.
  • Cabana appeared on Wrestling Observer Live today to discuss the trial. He talked about the physical toll the process took on him and said the jury members told him after it was over that they were questioning why he was involved in the lawsuit from the start. He also asked people to do something more positive than tweeting at Dr. Chris Amann if they weren’t happy with how Amann handled things.
  • Brian Christopher (Brian Lawler) was arrested and charged with theft of services $1000 or less after he and another person didn’t have enough money to pay for an $802 hotel stay when the company credit card they used didn’t have enough for it.
  • Cody Rhodes cut a promo for his match against ROH World Champion Dalton Castle and Marty Scurll at Best in the World.
  • Marc Copani, better known as Muhammad Hassan, told Pro Wrestling Sheet that he misses being in the ring and would like to make a one-time appearance for WWE like being in a Royal Rumble.

UFC/MMA

Daily Professional Wrestling History: Shawn Michaels wins Intercontinental title

12th Annual F4W Empire Vegas Convention

Greetings friends and fans of the F4W / Wrestling Observer website. It’s time to announce the details of the 12th annual F4W / Wrestling Observer Empire Las Vegas Convention~!

This year’s event will be taking place in Las Vegas from August 16th to the 20th and will again be in conjunction with WWE’s SummerSlam weekend a.k.a. Super China Buffet Day~! There will still be the usual events, but our big draw will be WWE’s summer blockbuster PPV, SummerSlam. As per tradition, we will all gorge ourselves at a Las Vegas buffet, and then watch SummerSlam in a rented out movie theater. All information and ticketing prices are available now. Sign up ASAP as spots are limited for some events. 

This year will also feature a Future Stars Wrestling show which will include the first ever Gladys Gibson Doubles Match Classic! Already booked for the show are the teams Mia Yim & Leva Bates, Hudson Envy & Shotzi Blackheart, Samantha Heights & Brittany Blake, and Miranda Alize & Kylie Rae. Kris Wolf will also be appearing along with many more future stars. There may even be a classic star or two making an appearance. You won’t want to miss this show! Check out the convention’s Facebook page for all additional information.

CONTACT INFORMATION