THE ROUND-UP
The Latest from the F4W Staff
NEWS
WWE SmackDown ratings down slightly for SummerSlam go-home show
NXT TakeOver Brooklyn media call audio: HHH talks NXT and MYC
Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather gets a new 8 oz. twist
WWE 2K18 roster reveal: First 47 wrestlers announced
WWE SmackDown video highlights: Corbin’s cash-in fails
WWE 205 Live results: Neville interrupts Tozawa’s title celebration
Baron Corbin unsuccessfully cashes in Money in the Bank briefcase
WWE SmackDown live results: Jinder Mahal vs. John Cena
AUDIO
WOL: Jinder Mahal, Baron Corbin Fail, Ric Flair, more! 8/16
B&V: Retro Raw and Nitro from 19 years ago this week! 8/15
WOL: Ric Flair update, Raw, SummerSlam, tons more! 8/15
WOR: Ric Flair update, Raw, GFW, New Japan, tons more 8/15
FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: Figure Four Weekly 8/7/2017: Looking at Kota Ibushi’s G1 reintroduction
As this summer’s G1 Climax begins to wind down for New Japan Pro Wrestling, so does a stretch of matches that has further reminded everyone that Kota Ibushi is one of the absolute best professional wrestlers in the world. While that isn’t a surprising development, it was a necessary one after Ibushi’s relatively quiet last two years in pro wrestling.
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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: August 14, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Takayama paralyzed, WWE financials examined, tons more
It’s a double issue this week, with extensive coverage of the WWE business, breaking it down in every category, the sad story about the paralysis of Yoshihiro Takayama, G-1 coverage, SummerSlam weekend notes, and even Hall of Fame news.
Our lead story looks at the injury and the new life of Yoshihiro Takayama, going back to the May spot where he became paralyzed, his most famous matches, his career, the Don Frye fight and his big matches during the heyday of Pro Wrestling NOAH.
Our WWE business report looks in more detail than anywhere about the quarterly numbers. Look at how the network did so far this year compared to the past few years and how the different gimmicks played out, the difference in profitability of the network vs. PPV, the exact numbers of cancellations this year as compared to the past, the remaining WWE PPV business, real attendance figures for WrestleMania, social media numbers, sponsorship numbers, where the revenue comes from, and breaking down every single revenue stream.
Look at WrestleMania business, what parts of the business are up or down, the costs and revenues per episode of Total Divas, the reality vs. fantasy of the decline in television ratings, the house show business for WWE and NXT, comparing the last two WrestleManias as well as the movie studio numbers.
There is in-depth coverage of G-1, looking at this year’s booking, the updated standings, star ratings and business notes for every show this past week, thoughts on how to change G-1 for the better next year, the Sumo Hall cards, future fall title matches, the injury to Evil and the best matches of the tournament so far.
Inside is an update on SummerSlam and NXT, as well as the ticket situation for SummerSlam weekend, WWE injuries and show length.
Check out Brock Lesnar’s post-SummerSlam schedule, the Horsewomen vs. Horsewomen angle, WWE TV deal in South Africa, Rey Mysterio’s next contract, SummerSlam viewing parties, Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly updates, and a Bruno Sammartino update.
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ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer, or by using PayPal directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $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 [email protected]. 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.)
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can choose one free classic issue, or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.
WON BACK ISSUE: July 24, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: ECW Heatwave review, wrestling business uncertainty, more
While a hot PPV show and an impromptu brawl in the middle of the show stole the headlines, in the big scheme of things, with the future of the company at stake, those were only minor issues. After five years of the biggest boom period in the history of this industry, pro wrestling, ironically, like so many industries in this ever changing world, has never been faced with so much uncertainty
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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Tonight’s NXT on the WWE Network will have Roderick Strong squaring off against Drew McIntyre. If Strong wins he gets a match against Bobby Roode at some point after TakeOver: Brooklyn. Ember Moon and Asuka will also have a contract signing for their match at TakeOver this Sunday.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque conducted a conference call with the pro wrestling media earlier this afternoon ahead of TakeOver. When it comes to working with other promoters, such as Gabe Sapolsky, Levesque noted that these promoters aren’t officially employed by WWE, but there’s an opportunity to be around each other and learn. He also talked about the Mae Young Classic, saying that some people who worked on the crew said it may even be better than the Cruiserweight Classic. When asked about 205 Live’s scheduling conflicting with the Mae Young Classic final on September 12th, Levesque noted that the logistics haven’t been finalized yet.
Ric Flair’s fiancee Wendy Barlow has given an update on the condition of Ric Flair, stating that he is still in critical condition. She said that she took Flair to the hospital on Friday with severe abdominal pain. From there, it progressed to multiple organ problems. She said that it was not colon surgery he went under, but a different surgery.
PWInsider posted quotes from an interview with Bayley earlier today regarding her injury. She noted that the injury was a grade two separation and that she would be out for a few months.
The New Day defending their tag titles against The Usos at SummerSlam has been moved to the pre-show. Big E and Xavier Woods will be the New Day team in that match.
The Barclays Center sent out a tweet today advertising Universal Champion Brock Lesnar for the post-SummerSlam episode of Raw. The tweet was taken down after complaints about spoiling the SummerSlam main event, though Lesnar is advertised for more dates after the pay-per-view as well.
With WWE billing Saturday’s NXT TakeOver special in Brooklyn as a homecoming, Shinsuke Nakamura, Sasha Banks, Carmella, and Neville will be making appearances on the pre-show. The panel for that will be Charly Caruso, Corey Graves, Sam Roberts, and Lita, with Renee Young also doing interviews. Kevin Owens is listed as being in attendance as well.
Dave Lagana released a mini-documentary on Drew McIntyre’s final days on the independent scene before returning to WWE.
Daniel Bryan will be the guest on Edge and Christian’s podcast this Friday.
Sportsnet has done an article on Jinder Mahal which can be read here.
Pro Wrestling
Katsuyori Shibata wrote on his blog about his experience from the G1 Climax finals, where he made an incredible appearance. Apparently, he had made the request three days before the finals were to take place, and obviously NJPW granted it.
ROH’s Flip Gordon will make his CMLL debut on the 84th anniversary show on September 16th.
Michael Elgin announced that due to contractual obligations he will be unable to appear at the WCPW Pro Wrestling World Cup.
Bad Luck Fale got a new tattoo on top of his head.
Bully Ray talks about CM Punk, Adam Cole, Paige, and more here.
Joey Mercury is taking bookings.
UFC/MMA
Conor McGregor released a statement to The Mac Life regarding the NSAC’s decisions today: “I am very pleased with the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s handling of my next bout today. Fair play was kept all the way through. Referee — Hall of famer Robert Byrd. Judges — Burt Clements. Dave Morreti and Guido Cavalerri. 8oz gloves approved, with pre and post fight analysis of the gloves on the night. This was handled very well and very fairly by the NSAC. I am very pleased and respect the commission’s ruling on this. Ten days until fight time.”
McGregor also participated in a conference call with media earlier today, which you can listen to here.
An interim lightweight title fight has been announced between Tony Ferguson and Kevin Lee. It’ll take place at UFC 216 on October 7th.
Responding to Ariel Helwani on Twitter, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz said that he would only fight Conor or fight in a match for the lightweight title. This was after speculation was brought up that Nurmagomedov was being penciled in for a fight against Edson Barboza for a December show.
Dana White talks about McGregor/Mayweather, breaking records and Paulie Malignaggi here.
Today in Pro Wrestling History: Rock ‘n’ Roll Express win NWA tag titles
F4W Online / Wrestling Observer Vegas Convention Event Info
August 17-21; All times are TBA; Full information on the group Facebook page; Activities subject to change
For ticketing information go to https://f4wvegas.brownpapertickets.com/
Thursday: Meet at the High Roller for Bowling at the Link; Party at Carnival Court at Hurrah’s
Friday: Kiss Mini Golf tournament at the Rio; Dinner at Texas de Brazil; Suite party (location TBA)
Saturday: Future Stars of Wrestling show featuring Disco Inferno, Stephan Bonnar, Phil Baron, Shotzi Blackheart, and co-main events: 3-way match with Leva Bates vs. Mia Yim vs. Hudson Envy, and “Filthy” Tom Lawlor vs. Thomas Santell (f.k.a. Antonio “The Promise” Thomas); NXT viewing party at the Sci-Fi Center
Sunday: SUPER CHINA BUFFET DAY at the Wicked Spoon Buffet at 1pm; SummerSlam viewing party at the Sci-Fi Center
Monday: Goodbye lunch at Chen Chen at NY NY
All website members will also receive a 15% discount on any purchases from the Las Vegas Fight Shop for the entirety of the convention
Texas de Brazil, Wicked Spoon, NXT and Summer Slam will all be sign up and pre-paid events, prices and collection begin in mid July~!
Pro Wrestling Tees is now carrying our latest line of F4W shirts. Support the Empire~! Grab yours today!
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