Daily Update: WWE notes, NJPW NYC delay, Cris Cyborg

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

F4W NEWSLETTER: NXT’s USA Network era starts strong Joseph Currier gives his thoughts on NXT’s live premiere. Plus, Vinny’s TV reviews.

NXT took advantage of their head start over AEW by hitting a home run with last week’s live premiere.

It wasn’t surprising that NXT’s first live episode was good — it would have been pretty shocking if it wasn’t. Even if there have been occasional peaks and valleys, NXT has always been a good show. Triple H and his team know what they’re doing and the roster is stacked with talent. But NXT was able to pass one of their most important tests: creating a show that feels must-see and different from what they were already offering viewers.

It’s become clear that NXT is going to be a place that features all of WWE’s non-main roster sub-brands. In addition to the regular NXT talent on display, the show featured an appearance by WWE United Kingdom Champion WALTER and his Imperium stablemates. There was also a Cruiserweight Championship number one contender’s match, with Lio Rush making his return and defeating Oney Lorcan.

Due to the final episodes of the USA Network series “Suits,” the first two live editions of NXT are being split across USA and the WWE Network. Last week’s USA Network hour featured a really good fatal four-way number one contender’s match that saw Candice LeRae defeat Mia Yim, Bianca Belair, and Io Shirai to become NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler’s next challenger. Cameron Grimes squashed Sean Maluta, and Roderick Strong became the new NXT North American Champion by defeating Velveteen Dream. The first NXT broadcast of the USA Network era ended with every member of Undisputed Era holding a title.

Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

WON NEWSLETTER: Everything changes next week, Impact moving to AXS

With perhaps the most important week for the U.S. industry in a decade coming up, a double issue this week:

Goes through details of the moves by WWE and AEW, what plans are, advertisers wants, promotion and much more. 

Includes an extensive look at Battle of Los Angeles, New Japan’s upcoming big shows and Tokyo Dome plans, what to learn from the NXT ratings and much more.

The lead story talks about WWE’s big week, the importance of the different shows, overdoing nostalgia, ticket sales, announcing changes,  205 Live’s future, plans for all the shows, what demos to look at, what happened with AEW and ITV, NXT, Smackdown and AEW on the West Coast, replays shows, Smackdown ad rates, as well as a look at Hell in a Cell.

Impact to AXS and what the plans are for specials leading to the regular show. 

The keys in week two’s NXT show and the audience change.

Brock Lesnar’s future, John Hennigan coming in, CM Punk, former UFC legend talks coming to WWE, Shayna Baszler talks her career, WWE injuries, WWE stock update, most-watched shows on WWE Network for the past week, as well as a look at every WWE & NXT arena event over the past week with results, highlights and business notes.

NJPW coverage of Destruction in Kobe, Tokyo Doe direction, King of Pro Wrestling, the Young Lions Cup and match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

Battle of Los Angeles, Bandido’s win, past winners, other PWG alumni, business notes, the good and the bad, the stars of the weekend, the stars of the future, Aramis, Alex Zayne, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

Full coverage of the UFC from Mexico City along with business notes.

Full coverage of all the WWE television shows from the past week.

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

Current subscribers click here to read. 

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.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • In an interview with the New York Post, Kevin Dunn confirmed that pyro is returning to Raw and SmackDown next week: “We’re bringing back pyro to both shows, flames [and] lasers.” Dunn also said: “We’re rolling out completely new sets, opening logos, graphics, theme music for both Raw and SmackDown next week in WWE Premiere Week. For the first time ever we’re going to have dedicated writing teams, Raw led by Paul Heyman and SmackDown led by [Eric] Bischoff.”
  • WWE Network News reported that Kayla Braxton will host a Watch Along on the WWE Network during Wednesday’s episode of NXT. The show has aired on YouTube and WWE’s social media channels opposite PPVs in the past. It features wrestlers reacting to the show but doesn’t include video of the event they’re watching. Kassius Ohno, Rachael Evers, Keith Lee, and more are listed as joining Braxton for Wednesday’s Watch Along.
  • A new episode of Table for Three will air on the WWE Network after Raw on Monday. It will feature Eric Bischoff, Kurt Angle, and Vickie Guerrero.
  • The SmackDown’s Greatest Hits special that aired on FOX last night averaged 1,391,000 overnight viewers. The rating in the 18-49 demo was a 0.4.
  • Next week’s Total Divas season nine premiere has been moved to Tuesday. It had been set to air on E! At 10 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, which would have been after NXT and AEW Dynamite. The show will still air in the 10 p.m. Eastern time slot on Tuesday.
  • Sin Cara teamed with Kalisto, Lince Dorado & Titus O’Neil against Drew Gulak, Tony Nese, EC3 & Eric Young at WWE’s house show in El Paso last night. This was Sin Cara’s first match since returning as part of the 50-man battle royal at Super ShowDown in June.
  • In a video for Fine Brothers Entertainment, WWE wrestlers reacted to the top 10 SmackDown moments of all time.
  • WWE’s YouTube channel uploaded John Cena and Randy Orton’s Hell in a Cell match from 2014.

Pro Wrestling

  • Tonight’s NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed show at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City was delayed for 90 minutes due to an issue with not having an ambulance, which the athletic commission requires to be there. PWInsider reported that: “The belief originally was that the ambulance was stuck in traffic, but when the venue called the ambulance company to check up on their status, they were told that the ambulance company received a phone call this morning telling them tonight’s show was canceled and therefore they were not needed — and were now not available.” The show got underway around 8:30 p.m. Eastern time.
  • Lance Anoa’i wrote that doctors are very happy with the way his father Samu is responding after his liver transplant: “WOW just tears of joy! So happy to see my dad smile! They are very happy with the way he is responding! But if you know my dad, you know he is a fighter and won’t stop! I love you dad! Please help any way you can! HelpSamu.com”
  • Jake Atlas vs. Tyler Bateman was added to tonight’s post-Death Before Dishonor ROH TV tapings.
  • NJPW’s English-language website has a fan Q&A with Will Ospreay.
  • Luchasaurus appeared on yesterday’s episode of Talk is Jericho.

UFC/MMA

  • In her first fight for Bellator, Cris Cyborg will challenge for Julia Budd’s featherweight title at The Forum in Inglewood, California on January 25.
  • Holly Holm is out of her scheduled fight against Raquel Pennington at UFC 243 on October 5 due to injury. Holm would have been returning to the same arena where she defeated Ronda Rousey in Melbourne, Australia.
  • James Gallagher defeated Roman Salazar with a guillotine choke in 35 seconds at Bellator 227 in Dublin last night.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: AWA SuperClash 1985

CONTACT INFORMATION