May 22, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: NJPW business up, ROH War of the Worlds review, tons more

After completing a successful European tour while coming off record low ratings against NBA playoff competition, WWE is promoting a number of major events all at the same time.

This coming weekend will be a taped U.K. special on 5/19, where the company has already publicly given away the endings of the top two taped matches. The show is built around Pete Dunne vs. Trent Seven for the No. 1 contender spot for the U.K. title, and Tyler Bate vs. Mark Andrews for the U.K. title. Both were reported to be excellent matches. However, WWE announced Bate vs. Dunne, the two winners, for the 5/20 Takeover show right after the 5/7 matches had ended. After the NXT Takeover show, and Backlash, will come the revamped Extreme Rules show on 6/4 in Baltimore.

The major news regarding that show is that Braun Strowman will be out six to eight weeks after minor elbow surgery on 5/11 in Birmingham. Because the original plan for the 6/4 show was Roman Reigns vs. Strowman in the main event leading to Brock Lesnar vs. Strowman on 7/9, everything had to be redone.

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