Daily Update: WWE stock, Charlotte Flair, Mark Henry talks Hogan

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Hogan takes first step towards WWE return

Nearly three years after being fired from the company, Hulk Hogan’s return to WWE took a major step forward on Sunday. After Hogan was spotted flying into Cleveland — which was apparently a failed attempt to avoid him being seen coming to Pittsburgh, where WWE’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view was being held — WWE announced on Sunday afternoon that Hogan had been reinstated into their Hall of Fame.

WON NEWSLETTER: (July 16, 2018) Daniel Cormier/Brock Lesnar fallout from UFC 226

Daniel Cormier and Brock Lesnar and details behind their proposed fight as well as how this relates to Lesnar in WWE is the lead story in the current issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The issue also covers the G-1 Special at the Cow Palace as well as G-1 notes for week one.

Look at why Cormier’s win of the heavyweight title is very different from his light heavyweight win, the arguments about the greatest MMA fighter of all-time and others in that discussion, as well as the drug testing issue, the Cormier-Lesnar angle, and the earliest date Cormier vs. Lesnar can take place.

Have a more in-depth look at how the WWE and UFC television deals went down.

Read about the WWE stock price, how this complicates talks of a sale of the company, and current market value.

Get the update on a lot of WWE injuries and returns, Dwayne Johnson and the presidency, Ronda Rousey advertising, Paul Heyman being at Raw last week and why he was there, wrestling becoming part of Kane’s Mayoral race, changes in the 2018 PPV schedule, and a second Jim Ross autobiography.

Read about the New Japan Cow Palace show, looking at the injuries to Hiromu Takahashi and Jim Ross with updates, thoughts on New Japan injuries, neck problems from the past and in other companies, why the injury probably took place, and what happened after the show with Jim Ross.

This issue has full coverage of UFC 226, with business notes, early PPV numbers, poll results and match-by-match coverage.

Read the updated thoughts on Extreme Rules.

Get in-depth information on the Enzo Amore situation after the police investigation ended.

Look at WWE’s biggest U.S. house show of the year so far in Madison Square Garden featuring Undertaker and Ronda Rousey.

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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • WWE stock closed above $80 per share for the first time ever today, coming in at $80.53. That was a bit more than a one percent increase on the day. WWE’s market capitalization is currently above six-billion dollars.
  • During an appearance on “Conversations With Maria Menounos,” Charlotte Flair said she expects to be cleared to return on July 31 after undergoing surgery for her breast implants rupturing. Charlotte worked through the issue before having surgery.
  • Charlotte made her NXT TV debut on this day in 2013.
  • Mark Henry told TMZ that he thinks Hulk Hogan is genuine about wanting to clear his name and that Hogan has been hurt by people treating him differently after his leaked racist diatribe were made public in 2015. Henry noted that there’s a “50/50 split” towards Hogan returning among the black wrestlers in WWE. On Busted Open Radio, Henry also discussed the conversation he had with Hogan. He said Hogan told him he wants to fix things. And if Hogan is willing to do that, Henry said he will help him.
  • Ratings for Sunday’s episode of Total Bellas had a sizeable drop. The show averaged 594,000 total viewers and posted a 0.27 rating in the 18-49 demo. Last week’s numbers were 719,000 viewers and a 0.32 rating.
  • WWE displayed a tribute graphic for Masa Saito at the start of last night’s Raw.
  • Michael Hayes tweeted about yesterday being the 17th anniversary of Terry Gordy’s death: “17 years ago today we lost Terry Gordy, here on earth. We never lost Terry in our mind, memories and heart. I can’t thank Bam enough for deciding to b my Freebird Brother. Love and miss U ALWAYS!!!”
  • The Revival & Mike Kanellis defeated Heath Slater, Rhyno & Chad Gable and No Way Jose defeated Curt Hawkins on this week’s Main Event tapings.
  • Diamond Dallas Page has been guest coaching at the Performance Center this week. Pepper Parks, who was formerly Braxton Sutter in Impact Wrestling, was a guest coach last week.
  • The Miz won the MVP award in this year’s MLB celebrities and legends softball game, which aired after the Home Run Derby last night.
  • Drew Mcintyre was the guest on this week’s episode of Chasing Glory with Lilian Garcia.
  • Corey Graves tweeted that WWE Shop won’t be releasing the “Shut up, Saxton” T-shirt that they had already put up: “Sorry guys, no #ShutUpSaxton shirt. Out of my hands. We tried.”

Pro Wrestling

  • The FIght Network, which Anthem Sports & Entertainment (the parent company of Impact Wrestling) owns, will have a daily block of programming on Showcase TV in the UK starting at 9 p.m. every night. That will include Impact airing on the channel at the same time as it does on Pop TV in the United States, along with replays on Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m. Impact’s UK and Ireland Twitter account tweeted that the show will still be airing on 5Spike as well.
  • Impact announced that Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Curtis Granderson will make an appearance at Slammiversary and will be the “Title Holder” for the Austin Aries vs. Moose World Championship main event. The PPV is taking place in Toronto this Sunday, and John Hennigan will also throw out the first pitch at Sunday’s Blue Jays game. Granderson previously appeared at Slammiversary 2009.
  • PROGRESS Wrestling revealed that, due to his commitments with New Japan Pro Wrestling, Zack Sabre Jr. won’t be able to wrestle at their Wembley Arena show on September 30. Sabre had been scheduled to challenge for the PROGRESS Championship in the main event. NJPW’s Fighting Spirit Unleashed show will take place in Long Beach on September 30, and Will Ospreay also had to be pulled from the PROGRESS card because of it.
  • Jimmy Havoc vs. Christopher Daniels, Mark Haskins vs. Jonathan Gresham, Joe Hendry vs. Hangman Page, and Kip Sabian vs. Flip Gordon will be the first round matches in ROH’s International Cup tournament in Edinburgh and Doncaster next month. The winner will challenge for the ROH World Championship in London on August 19.
  • Marty Scurll vs. Kenny King, Karen Q vs. Jenny Rose, and Jay Briscoe vs. Christopher Daniels have been announced for ROH’s TV tapings at Center Stage in Atlanta this Saturday.
  • Cody Rhodes cut a promo about Flip Gordon challenging for Nick Aldis’ NWA title at ROH Honor for All this Friday.
  • Rey Horus is replacing Aerostar at MLW’s Battle Riot show and will team with Drago in a title match against Tag Team Champions Pentagon Jr. & Fenix. Jake Hager vs. Simon Gotch has also been added to the show, which will take place in Queens, New York this Thursday.
  • Prowrestling.com interviewed Tom Lawlor about wrestling for MLW.
  • Joey Janela appeared on today’s episode of the Steve Austin Show.

UFC/MMA

Daily Professional Wrestling History: CM Punk wins WWE title at Money in the Bank 2011

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 Granny’s Doubles Match Classic! Already booked for the show are the teams Mia Yim & Leva Bates, Shotzi Blackheart & ???, Samantha Heights & Brittany Blake, and Miranda Alize & Kylie Rae. Also appearing will be Kris Wolf 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