DAILY UPDATE
Latest News:
In-ring action back on WWE 205 Live, two matches set
Kip Sabian set for Casino Ladder Match at AEW Double or Nothing
Rollins comments on expecting child with Lynch, thanks fans for support
Scorpio Sky added to Casino Ladder Match at AEW Double or Nothing
AEW Dynamite and NXT ratings both drop this week
AEW Dynamite video highlights: The end of Vanguard One
WWE NXT video highlights: Riddle & Thatcher’s partnership implodes
Latest Audio:
WOL: Weekend wrap-up, AEW vs. NXT ratings, UFC, TNT Title, tons more! 5/15
Wrestling Weekly: Les & Vic talk with ‘The Tennessee Stud’ Ron Fuller 5/15
B&V: Bryan and Vinny review AEW and NXT head-to-head! 5/14
WON NEWSLETTER: May 18, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Becky Lynch pregnant, UFC 249 controversies, more
A new double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is out with a wider variety of news stories than any issue we’ve done in a long time.
From a perspective among leading sports doctors about opening up, to Becky Lynch’s pregnancy and what the plans for her that won’t happen were scheduled to be, to Money in the Bank coverage, Roman Reigns risk factors, New Japan talks its future, AEW profitability, Oliver Luck’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon and Georges St-Pierre in the Hall of Fame, it’s all covered here.
The issue covers in detail:
Becky Lynch’s pregnancy, her comments on it, timing, what were the booking plans for her and how Money in the Bank changed, a look back at how Lynch got over when she wasn’t supposed to and the time frame where Lynch became the chosen one, while at the same time the crowd was mad, not realizing any of this.
Ronaldo Jacare Souza’s positive test for COVID, UFC handling the situation, and the key components of the story that have not been covered well elsewhere.
How UFC didn’t abide by its own policies, what UFC did learn, and what fighters and reporters signed to get in the door to the show.
Facts of the Coronavirus and on combat sports from three doctors who have extensive experience with combat sports.
Harold Meij talking about New Japan Pro Wrestling, why it made the choices it did not to turn, as well as its plans when it can run and the stages it will go through, why the company has been able to remain solvent while not running live events.
Complete coverage of UFC 249 and WWE Money in the Bank, including match-by-match coverage and poll results on both shows.
Behind the scenes notes on both shows, including UFC business, and interest level in WWE.
The arrest of Alberto Rodriguez, the former Alberto Del Rio, for sexual assault, the harrowing description of what happened and more.
Roman Reigns sitting it out including what he said and his risk factors.
Updated plans for SummerSlam and where Vince is coming from, plans for the next Takeover, WWE book on best sellers list, The softening of the brand split, update on Rey Mysterio, Rachael Ellering release info, NBA star says he’s going to WWE, Undertaker documentary notes, the story of how two different planned WrestleMania main events in 2011 fell through, Sting update, Canadian TV ratings, One of the best college wrestlers mentions going into pro wrestling, Raw DVR numbers, WWE market value and the most-watched shows on the WWE Network.
Smackdown’s renewal and what it means.
Feature on the career of Georges St-Pierre and his records and his legacy, as he gets inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Oliver Luck lawsuit against Vince McMahon, including details of his contract, Vince’s attempts and arguments to get out of paying him on that contract and arguments both sides are making.
AEW’s Double or Nothing plans as well as the return of some of the company’s biggest stars.
AEW’s profitability in April, the cost of production and cost savings, Mike Tyson, the casino ladder match and more.
May 13 UFC show.
Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.
Ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
TNT will be airing a one hour Countdown to Double or Nothing II special on 5/22 at 10 p.m.
Weigh-ins for tomorrow night’s UFC show on ESPN+ which starts at 6 p.m. eastern:
Don’Tale Mayes (241) vs. Rodrigo Nascimento (255)
Mara Romero Borella (125.5) vs. Cortney Casey (126
Darren Elkins (146) vs. Nate Landwehr (146)
Giga Chikadze (145.5) vs. Irwin Rivera (not weighed in yet)
Anthony Hernandez (185.5) vs. Kevin Holland (182.5)
Miguel Baeza (170.5) vs. Matt Brown (171)
Marlon Vera (145.5) vs. Song Yadong (145.5)
Eryk Anders (186) vs. Krzysztof Jotko (185.5)
Edson Barboza (145.5) vs. Dan Ige (146)
Claudia Gadelha (115.5) vs. Angela Hill (115)
Alistair Overeem (253.5) vs. Walt Harris (264.5)
The main storyline for the show is Harris fighting for the first time since the murder of his stepdaughter. He is dedicating the fight to her so it will be a very emotional main event and probably some strong video packages that will air on Sports Center and in other places.
Urijah Faber weighed in, for the possibility he would face Marlon Vera, if Yadong’s visa issues aren’t settled. Faber weighed 153.5. So if he fights, Vera will have to move up a weight class.
Talk is Jericho features an interview with Martha Hart preceding Tuesday’s airing of the Vice special on Owen Hart. The interview can be found here. I have a feeling this coming week will feature a lot of talk of Owen Hart.
This week’s MLW TV show at 10 p.m. tomorrow night on Bein Sports will be built around L.A. Park, airing old matches with both Sabu and Shocker.
WWE
Scheduled for Smackdown tonight is an appearance by Charlotte Flair, the beginning of the IC title tournament and Miz TV with Otis.
The second part of the Undertaker documentary series will air Sunday night on the WWE Network.
More on the lawsuit by Oliver Luck on Vince McMahon can be found here and here.
An interview with Otis.
FS1 will be airing the documentary on Florida Championship Wrestling that had previously aired on the WWE Network on 5/26 at 10 p.m. as the lead-in for WWE Backstage that week.
UFC
From Ronaldo Jacare Souza: “I was very sad to not be able to fight at UFC 249, but I want you to know that as soon as I’m medically cleared, I hope to reschedule my fight with Uriah Hall so that I can put on the show that everyone expects. I thank my corners for the partnership, my opponent for the words of support and the UFC for all the care. Thank you all for the kind messages I have received in the last few days. The upcoming weeks I will be secluded with my family and coaches and focused on our health so I can be back soon.”
Legacy Fighting, which airs on UFC Fight Pass, announced a new Top 10 Knockouts of its UFC Fight Pass era special that was released this week.
AEW
An interview with Sammy Guevara on Channel CatchClub.
MISCELLANEOUS
Kevin Eck’s ROH news post.
An interview with Lio Rush can be seen here.(thanks to Kenny McIntosh)
A review of the documentary on Cassandro. (thanks to Lee Wall)
Madison Eagles was announced as the second competitor in the PWA Colosseum tournament in Sydney, Australia in October.
Melbourne City Wrestling canceled its 6/13 show and have refunded money. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
An article on small town pro wrestling from the territorial era. (thank to Mike Kuzmuk)
Brian Long drew a Pro Wrestling Coloring Book and it is available as a print on demand book from Amazon.
Daily Pro Wrestling History: AJ Styles wins NWA title
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