WON Preview August 1, 2016: Brand split week one, Brock Lesnar and the WWE Wellness Policy

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

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August 1, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Brand split week one, Brock Lesnar and the WWE Wellness Policy– The entire story of Brock Lesnar, UFC drug testing, WWE drug testing and its history leads the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. There is also full coverage of week one of the brand extension, what has been good and what hasn’t, as well as coverage of Battleground, the G-1 Climax tournament, and the deaths of well known personalities on a regional basis like announcer Bill Cardille and Oregon advertising icon Tom Peterson.

The lead story explains in detail why Lesnar was not suspended, the changes in the policy where he can’t be suspended, who else has those loopholes, where they came from, why PED usage is more of a competitive advantage in WWE than in most real sports and why people who claim wrestling isn’t competition miss the entire point. There is also a look back to 2007 when a large percentage of the roster was suspended at the same time without test failures and why, including how office people have been treated different from talent on the subject. Take a look into specifics of the case of Randy Orton, performance vs. cosmetic in wrestling and how it has changed, how WWE differs from the other major promotions, when steroid testing started in WWF, when it was dropped and when it was restarted, a look back at the key component of the 1994 indictment of Vince McMahon and subsequent trial, and what happened and why WWF dropped drug testing.

A look back at the cases involving Eddy Guerrero and Chris Benoit, the success of the program all inside.

In this issue, take a look at Lesnar’s schedule, the situation with Paul Heyman, what the next steps for UFC and athletic commissions regarding the Lesnar test failures and the reaction to all this from Mark Hunt. This issue also looks at Hunt’s argument regarding how Lesnar gained financially from cheating and how Lesnar was not treated differently than anyone else when it came to drug testing in the UFC.

Finally, examine week one of the brand split, the changes in the SummerSlam show, Roman Reigns booking, the ascension of Dolph Ziggler and Finn Balor, as well as business notes and a match-by-match rundown of Battleground with star ratings.

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Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

Check out the latest Online Wrestling Observer BACK ISSUE: June 21, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Hart family files lawsuit against WWF, WCW Great American Bash review, more – The expected lawsuit filed by the Hart family against a number of defendants, the main one being the World Wrestling Federation, was announced at a press conference on 6/15 in Kansas City.

The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

  • Also in this issue:
  • Update on Caristico injury
  • Leyenda de Plata tournament notes
  • Notes on the weekly high flying spectacle at Arena Mexico
  • More major names from the past debut in Elite but don’t help box office
  • What TNA is charging to book bobby Lashley
  • First cage match at Arena Mexico in 25 years coming
  • The debut of the New Sexy Team in Mexico
  • International star confirmed for TripleMania as well as a new title match added
  • AAA stars move from Mexico to U.S.
  • Big passing of the torch match in Japan
  • Upcoming All Japan title matches
  • Update on jr. tag tourney in NOAH
  • Big Japan’s biggest event of the year
  • Top star of women’s promotion injured
  • Crazy battle of 90s Hall of Famers this past week
  • Update on the Battle of Los Angeles tournament
  • Notes on the death of Tom Peterson and why he was so well known in Oregon
  • Cody Rhodes talks leaving WWE
  • Rhodes talks about his Tokyo dome goal
  • Wrestling shows among the most listened to podcasts
  • Will Kyle Snyder go into pro wrestling?
  • Notes on a top indie star headed to WWE
  • A look at the big AAW show
  • Southern California Hall of Fame notes
  • Strange issue between promotions at the San Diego Comic Con
  • A look at the final episode of the season of Lucha Underground
  • Notes on ROH Final Battle ticket sales
  • Notes on ROH U.K. tour
  • Lots of new ROH matches announced
  • Notes on TNA Bound for Glory and upcoming television tapings
  • Why the next set of tapings will be so expensive
  • Jeff Hardy injury update
  • Jeff Hardy talks future and WWE
  • Joe Rogan signs new deal
  • Proposal to change MMA scoring
  • More on the UFC sale
  • UFC signs new TV deal
  • Notes on UFC in Madison Square Garden
  • Notes on this week’s UFC show and ramifications
  • Update on Chael Sonnen
  • Dan Henderson  retirement notes
  • Luke Rockhold injury update 
  • More UFC drug testing news
  • Notes on the next season of Ultimate Fighter and tournament for a flyweight title shot
  • Lots of new UFC fights
  • Fighter who fails drug test gets significant court verdict in his favor
  • Notes on this past week’s Bellator show
  • Son of Kimbo Slice signed by Bellator
  • Battle of brothers on TV this week

If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today. 

New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we’ll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We’ve got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.

Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.

Rates are:

For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com. For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.

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

SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER

In honor of Dave Meltzer’s recent induction into the George Tragos / Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame,now available for a limited time, 9 issues of Dave Meltzer’s California Wrestling Report.  Journey back over 40 years to read the early work of today’s most respected wrestling journalist. Your collections won’t be complete without these rare and hard to find editions. All 9 issues (Aug 26, ’72; Sept 9,’72; Sept 30, ’72; Oct 21, ’72; Nov 13, ’72; Dec 9, ’72; Jan 6, ’73; Feb ’73 & March ’73) totaling 130 pages in all, are available to readers for only $85 for Canada; $95 for USA; $120 for International. All payments must be in U.S. funds. (Due to the extreme age of the publications, there are 5 pages that do not reproduce that well)

After The California Wrestling Report Dave began to produce his newest project “International Wrestling Gazette”

Now available for a limited time, the first 5 issues of Dave Meltzer’sInternational Wrestling Gazette. Journey back almost 40 years to read the early work of today’s most respected wrestling journalist. Your collections won’t be complete without these rare and hard to find editions. All 5 issues (January, February, March, April & May 1974) total 141 pages in all, are available to readers for only $85 for Canada; $95 for USA; $120 for International . All payments must be in U.S. funds. (Due to the extreme age of the publications, there are a few pages that do not reproduce that well and I have reproduced the best I can from the copies I received)

Buy both the California Wrestling Report issues along with the International Wrestling Gazette together and receive a $10 discount off the combined price. Paypal payments can be made to grantsindex@nexicom.net.