Daily Update: WWE notes, Joey Ryan, UFC 230 at MSG

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THE LATEST AUDIO

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: A look at the connection between Evolution and Crown Jewel

When WWE returns to Saudi Arabia on November 2, they’ll be doing so just five days after their Evolution pay-per-view. People are always going to link WWE’s 10-year deal with Saudi Arabia with how it contradicts the company’s “women’s evolution” messaging, but Evolution and Crown Jewel taking place on the same week makes them feel even more connected. 

WON NEWSLETTER: September 24, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Jon Jones set to return, more

The lead story runs down the Jon Jones situation in detail, his test failure, the campaign of attempted misinformation designed to fool the public, the tragedy of all this, and how this affects Brock Lesnar and Daniel Cormier.

Read a feature on the life and career of Noricum “Kid” Yamamoto, who passed away last week.

Find out about Shawn Michaels’ planned return to ring action, what his proposed match is, the angle to set it up, the building of the angle, moves being made by WWE, and details behind the return of Brock Lesnar.

Go in-depth on the WWE concussion lawsuits being thrown out. Read about why, the big problems with the suits, as well as the big problem on the flip side of how the statute of limitations was being applied. 

Get the update on the Rey Mysterio’s situation, the changes to 205 no longer being live, update on Alexa Bliss and Jeff Hardy when it comes to appearing on live shows, book coming out on the career of former WWE star, WWE hires new head of legal, notes on Starrcade 18, and Rousey vs. Cyborg rumor notes.

We’ve also got full coverage of the CMLL Anniversary show, with match-by-match coverage, star ratings as well as a chart on what wrestlers have headlined the most anniversary shows in history.

Get full coverage of this year’s Battle of Los Angeles tournament, with a look at every match from all three days of what was some of the best wrestling shows that will be held anywhere in the world this year.

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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Io Shirai vs. Xia Brookside, Rachel Evers (Rachael Ellering) vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto, Jessie Elaban vs. Taynara Conti, and Isla Dawn vs. Nicole Matthews will air on tonight’s Mae Young Classic episode. These are the last four matches of the first round.
  • After the storyline where Aiden English asked Lana if she was going to tell Rusev about “one night in Milwaukee,” English bringing video evidence of the accusation is advertised for next week’s SmackDown. It will be the go-home show for Super Show-Down, and WWE will follow up on the cliffhanger where Samoa Joe visited AJ Styles’ house and rang the doorbell as the show went off the air.
  • WWE stock was up one percent today, closing at $95.04 per share.
  • Matt Riddle appeared on ESPN West Palm earlier this week and discussed transitioning from MMA to pro wrestling, signing with WWE, and making his NXT in-ring debut at their house show in Sanford, Florida this past weekend. Riddle said he wore his wife’s shorts in his NXT debut match because he thought he probably shouldn’t wear his indie gear that has sponsors on it. Riddle also named Cesaro as someone who he wants to face from the main roster.
  • Big E tweeted about Kofi Kingston breaking the record for most cumulative days as WWE Tag Team Champion in his career: “@TrueKofi has the most days as a tag team champion in the history of WWE. Never failed a drug test. Never had a brush with the law. Always a professional to the highest degree. Give this man his flowers while he can still smell them.”
  • Today is Asuka’s 37th birthday and Buddy Murphy’s 30th birthday.
  • Three Undertaker vs. Triple H matches are being added to the WWE Network’s hidden gems section this week.  They’re from the Kuwait Cup in 1996, an episode of Shotgun Saturday Night in 1997, and Friday Night’s Main Event in 1997.
  • Sasha Banks’ appearance on MTV’s Wild ‘N Out will air this Friday at 10:30 p.m. Eastern time.
  • WWE sent a custom title belt to the Seattle Storm for their WNBA Championship win.
  • Sin Cara will be the grand marshal for this year’s Sun Bowl Parade in El Paso, Texas on Thanksgiving.

Pro Wrestling

UFC/MMA

  • While UFC 230 at Madison Square Garden on November 3 still doesn’t have its main event, Ariel Helwani tweeted today that the UFC is “seriously discussing” Yoel Romero vs. Alexander Gustafsson for the show. Helwani noted that it would be a light heavyweight fight and that a title would be on the line, with interim and official options both discussed. Helwani wrote that it’s not a done deal and there are a few moving parts to the situation.
  • Nate Diaz and Dustin Poirier both announced on Twitter that their fight at the MSG show would be for the title of a newly-created 165-pound division, but Dana White told ESPN that there’s “absolutely no truth” to the weight class being added.
  • Mark Hunt vs. Justin Willis is set for the UFC’s Fight Night show in Adelaide, Australia this December. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Tyson Pedro is also in the works for the Adelaide event.
  • Bellator 206, which is taking place on Saturday night in San Jose, California, will air live on Channel 5 in the United Kingdom.
  • Mauro Ranallo and John McCarthy will be on commentary for Bellator 206.

Daily Professional Wrestling History: Triple H wins vacant WWF World title

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