Daily Update: WWE notes, Full Gear, MLW/AAA

DAILY UPDATE

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Recapping WWE Crown Jewel

Joseph Currier gives his thoughts on Crown Jewel and the travel delays the WWE roster faced after the show.

When Crown Jewel ended last Thursday, it seemed like things weren’t quite as awful for WWE as their previous shows in Saudi Arabia.

In the ring, this year’s Crown Jewel was probably the best event that WWE has had in Saudi Arabia. There were low points, but the show was focused more on the current roster and special attractions than relying solely on nostalgia. Though Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair were part of the show, they coached teams of current wrestlers and weren’t actually competing themselves. A major title change even took place, with The Fiend becoming Universal Champion by defeating Seth Rollins in their falls count anywhere main event.

Most importantly for WWE, they got to put on the first-ever women’s match in Saudi Arabia. Natalya defeated Lacey Evans, and it went as well as could be expected. There were obviously restrictions, including what Natalya and Evans were allowed to wear. But the quality of the match was largely irrelevant to WWE. Natalya and Evans treated this like a milestone that they were honored to be part of. The audience also played their part, helping WWE’s narrative come off as more than just hollow messaging.

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WON NEWSLETTER: November 4, 2019 Observer Newsletter: WWE financials, Crown Jewel, more

In a crazy week, we’ve got the most detailed look at the business of pro wrestling in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Our lead story updates the WWE business with the key notes from the quarter, why the stock took a big plunge even though profits were above expectations, the key things the market is worried about with the company, and the very different key things regarding brand popularity that I see as major warning signs. 

We cover in-depth the consumer business, tickets, WWE Network, merchandise and more, good news on television ratings, why we know house shows are down but it’s hard to fairly gauge how much, the decline of NXT live and how every other consumer spending category is doing.

The new issue also covers: 

Crown Jewel, the women’s match and its ramifications and why it went the way it did, why Lesnar vs. Velasquez went the way it did, look at the key stories coming out of the show, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

The build for Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal and on UFC 244 and the ramifications of the key fights, the ticket demand for the show and more on Dwayne Johnson at the show.

John Cena’s philanthropy, changes in Survivor Series plans, original plan for Tyson Fury and why it was changed, Xavier Woods update, HHH looks at how the way they do call-ups from NXT has changed and how it works now, Seth Rollins complains about the fans and what is and isn’t legit, WWE reaction to Smackdown ratings, notes on ticket sales for the five shows in Chicago at the end of the month including AEW television and the demand, DVR viewership for Raw, Hulu viewership for WWE shows, WrestleMania tickets, notes on the next Takeover show, WWE Backstage notes, WWE international TV notes, notes on Carolina on Raw and her long-term role, coach quits PC and new coach hired, all-women’s house show, DVD changes, new name for giant, value of WWE stock and the most-watched shows on the WWE Network, and all the WWE arena events over the past week with results, highlights and business notes.

Kenny Omega entrance video and the Sans connection that appeared on AEW television this week.  It’s a look at what it is and what it isn’t.

Albert Hardie Jr., situation with WWE, the T-shirt, and far more about the situation including his comments, WWE’s comments and much more about it.

Television business and 18-49 demos and look at the expense and future value of the different wrestling television shows, the platform, the night, the rights fees and more for UFC, WWE and AEW.

UFC show from Singapore.

WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.

Ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.

Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week. 

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@wrestlingobserver.com or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • WWE Backstage officially debuts tonight on FS1 at 11 p.m. ET. Bray Wyatt will premiere a new Firefly Funhouse and will add a new personal touch to the Universal championship. John Cena and Rob Gronkowski have also been advertised for the show. Two episodes of the show have already aired, one following an MLB playoff game back on October 14 and an episode on October 25 following the SmackDown airing on FS1.
  • WWE’s stock is up 4.91% this afternoon following the announcement by the company that they expanded their partnership with the Saudi General Sports Authority for two shows a year through 2027.
  • Pro Wrestling Sheet’s Ryan Satin officially announced he will be joining the WWE Backstage show as a news correspondent.
  • The dark match main event from last night’s Raw had The Fiend Bray Wyatt retain the Universal title against Seth Rollins in a steel cage match.
  • The Hampton Boys from last night’s episode of Raw were WrestlePro wrestlers Bobby Wayward and Nikos Rikos.
  • Alexander Wolfe turns 33 years old today.

Pro Wrestling

  • Donald Trump Jr. announced that he will be on Chris Jericho’s podcast later this week to promote his new book. 
  • Cody Rhodes mentioned on Twitter that new matches for Full Gear will be announced tonight on AEW Dark as well as tomorrow’s Dynamite event.
  • PWInsider is reporting that MLW’s relationship with The Crash has ended. They recently announced a working relationship with AAA.
  • Here is the latest vlog from Sammy Guevara.

MMA

  • BBC has a profile on Francis Ngannou.
  • Dana White told TMZ Sports he’d be open to the idea of Tyson Fury competing in MMA, but doesn’t understand why he would be interested.
  • Israel Adesanya told MMAFighting he’s interested in clearing out the middleweight division, then would look to face Jon Jones.
  • Johnny Walker blamed having the wrong strategy for his fight against Corey Anderson this past weekend. He’s hoping to face the Shogun Rua – Paul Craig winner.
  • Jorge Masivdal and Darren Till crossed paths backstage at UFC 244.
  • Kevin Lee is interested in facing Khabib Nurmagomedv or Conor McGregor next, saying he wants bigger fights.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: The Rock wins WCW World title

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