WON Preview: Conor McGregor and UFC 200, TNA sale imminent

By Dave Meltzer
Published: 21 Apr 2016, 14:50

READ IT HERE: April 25, 2016 WON: Conor McGregor and the fate of UFC 200, and the possible sale of TNA

In this week’s Observer the Conor McGregor/UFC issue as it relates to UFC 200, and the future and possible sale of TNA are the lead stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

The top story runs down how the McGregor situation went down, how much money is at stake for the UFC if McGregor isn’t on the show, Dana White’s claims, a look at the most likely replacement fights and evaluating them, the possible UFC 200 momentum, as well as a rundown of UFC plans for what was expected to be the biggest weekend in its history.

The second big story has to do with the potential sale of TNA to Aroluxe, the company looking at buying them, and the moves Dixie Carter has tried to make, where things stand, a look at the business of TNA and what is needed to turn it around, and more.

There is also an update on the condition of Bray Wyatt, a look at the next WWE PPV show, Notes on the Total Bellas TV show, update on Total Divas and how badly this season declined in audience, more on the WWE drug test failuers, more on Undertaker pulling out of the European tour and HHH wrestling on it, an update on Steve Austin, an update on the Global cruiserweight tournament, Brock Lesnar’s next match, how WWE affects the USA Network overall, former major star honored in Chickasaw nation Hall of Fame, upcoming major NXT dates, Bret Hart talks current WWE, Ryback talks WrestleMania, and notes on the November European tour including why TV location is so notable.

Also this issue has a rundown of all the WWE and NXT arena events of the past week as well as highlights and business notes on all of the shows.

The Kumamoto earthquake caused the cancelation of a New Japan PPV. That changes some of the upcoming shows. This issue covers the new two big shows over the next few weeks, plans for English language broadcasts over the next few months, and early thoughts of the next Super Juniors tournament.

This issuce has coverage of the UFC on FOX show, with all the things that went wrong before the show, business notes on the show, where different fighters are headed next, challenges made, plus business notes, match-by-match coverage, pay numbers and poll results.

ROH is getting expanded TV coverage in Canada with The Fight Network, and other promotions.

I was at the 51st annual Cauliflower Alley Club banquet featuring Jerry Lawler, Lance Russell, J.J. Dillon, Arn Anderson, Trish Stratus, Ricky Steamboat, Paul Orndorff, John Layfield and others. In this issue, there is some history of the event, what happened that night, the decision to honor Stratus as the main award and other notes.

Also in this issue is our monthly WWE & TNA business rundown so you can see how business is compared to recent years in attendance, ratings, on-line merch, DVD sales and what main events drew what kind of revenue.

Details on the ratings for all the national shows over the past week, including who was watching, who tuned in, what groups tuned out or Raw the most, as well as John Cena’s new show, all in this issue.

Finally, this issue contains results of the major league arena events held all over the world this past week, as well as notes on the various TV shows.

You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer

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Also in this issue:

A major shooting across the street from a television taping
New TV show gets moved to a bad time slot in Mexico
The craziness that is the Octagon and Octagon Jr. mess
Top woman star taking time off due to pregnancy
The debut of the new Team Trump stable in wrestling
Dragon Gate’s Dead or Alive show notes
Update on the All Japan Champion Carnival tournament
Tag team sets title defense record
Independent star gets major contract offer
Notes on this week’s New Japan shows
Famous Olympic wrestler in tabloid rumor about marrying new Japan star
Kota Ibushi debuts with a new promotion next month, but a surprise where that is
MysterioMania debut show
A surprise about talks of a potential six straight events U.S. Dome show series in a few years and the holdups
Some strange stories coming out of WrestleMania weekend
Notes on Tommy Dreamer’s House of Hardcore promotion
Notes on Kurt Angle’s next match
A very notable inside NWA letter from 1953 about the world title and who promoters favored and the irony of how it turned out
2016 NWA Hall of fame notes
Former TNA wrestler wins bodybuilding contest
New Lucha Underground signee
Lineup for the next ROH PPV show
What ROH star is New Japan looking at
What great worker is likely to be an ROH regular several months from now
Another personality leaves TNA
Notes on the UFC debuting in Madison Square Garden
UFC plans for New York State
Why this week’s PPV show is so interesting
Thoughts on Georges St-Pierre and financial issues of his comeback
Legislation that may be introduced to change MMA
More on the next season of Ultimate Fighter
Urijah Faber’s unique build up to the Cruz fight
UFC fighter getting a TV show
More notes on the arrest of Diego Brandao
Notes on Bellator’s next major show
Notes on Bobby Lashley and the Bellator heavyweight division
Notes on the Rizin show with Sakuraba & Tokoro vs. Tamura & Wanderlei Silva in a tag team match
Other pro wrestlers and notables on the show

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Rates are:

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