Daily Update: Rusev's surgery, Cedric Alexander injury, NJ Cup
THE ROUND-UP
The Latest from the F4W Staff
NEWS
Dennis Stamp passes away after battling cancer
Eric LeGrand to receive 2017 WWE Warrior Award
Jack Swagger released by WWE
The Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns announced for WWE WrestleMania 33
WWE Madison Square Garden live results: Brock Lesnar vs. Kevin Owens
New Japan Cup first round results: Kenny Omega vs. Tomohiro Ishii
Titles change hands at last night’s ROH TV tapings
NXT Orlando, FL, live results: Hideo Itami returns
AUDIO
WOL: Warrior Award, Kurt Angle first interview, new WrestleMania matches, more! 3/13
B&V: NWA Crockett from 30 years ago this week plus Starrcade 83 main event! 3/13
WOL: New Japan Cup, ROH PPV, UFC Fight Night, more! 3/12
DragonKing Dark: The Beast (666) 3/12
Raw is tonight for the final WWE event ever at the Joe Louis Arena. Brock Lesnar will be on the show in some form. Cesaro & Sheamus vs. Enzo & Cass with the winner getting a shot at the tag titles at WrestleMania will be on the card. Bill Goldberg is not scheduled this week. Smackdown has a house show on Monday night in Charleston, WV with John Cena as the headliner. We’re looking for reports live from both shows to [email protected].
We’re looking for your thoughts on the weekend ROH PPV show from Las Vegas as well as both nights of the New Japan Cup, with a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected].
Smackdown and 205 Live take place on Tuesday in Pittsburgh. The New Japan Cup continues on Tuesday with second round action in Shiga.
The New Japan Cup also has second round action on Wednesday in Nagano.
FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 3/6/2017: Bad booking disappoints at WWE Fastlane
Goldberg is one of WWE’s top champions in 2017. That it was a formality doesn’t make the reality of that sentence any less startling. Nearly 20 years after his peak in WCW, and over a decade after his first stint with WWE came to an end, Goldberg is going to main event WrestleMania. All of that was locked in when Goldberg defeated Kevin Owens to win the WWE Universal Championship at Fastlane. Predictably, the main event was a wrestling match in name only. Goldberg won with a spear and a jackhammer in just over 20 seconds…
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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: March 13, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWE Fastlane review, Tomoaki Honma injury, plus tons of news
Updated the plans for WrestleMania, detail what happened with Tomoaki Honma and a progress update, features on Ron Bass, Rick Rude and Tom Jones, a major new WWE signing and future company plans all in the new double issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Our lead story runs down WrestleMania, what is on, what is in limbo and where everyone fits in, plus a breakdown of the Fast Lane PPV with business notes, stories behind the matches, match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
Have a look back at the career of Ron Bass, his multitude of championships around the country, and why his career ended and post-wrestling.
There is a major feature on the 2016 Wrestling Observer awards, with a breakdown of winners, and notes about the different people in the major categories and compare and contrast them. Plus, discussion about the landslides and the close races and what made the difference.
This issue has a feature on the Hardys and Bully Ray in ROH, back-story of Hardys value on the independent market and where the different companies stand in the U.S. marketplace.
Take a look at the business of UFC 209, including Tony Ferguson’s pay when his fight was canceled, what was supposed to be a benefit to everyone that has backfired but nobody will say it, the judging of Wonderboy vs. Woodley, weight cutting, the welterweight position, as well as business notes on the show, match-by-match coverage and how much everyone was paid.
Examine Daniel Bryan possibly wrestling again, The Miz on promos, the Shane McMahon vs. A.J. Styles angle, notes on WWE talks with two of the best women wrestlers in the world, an update on the Jack Swagger situation, Dana Brooke competes in another sport, WWE Hall of Fame news, Jerry Lawler update, backstage when Dwayne Johnson was talking about C.M. Punk, this week’s Madison Square Garden show, Raw plans post-Mania, the most watched shows on the WWE Network, plus a look at all the arena matches over the past week with highlights and business notes.
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: February 14, 2000, Vince McMahon announces the XFL, 1999 awards, more
Vince McMahon made sports and business headlines on 2/3 with the announcement of him starting his own professional football league called the XFL. McMahon, who failed in negotiations last year to buy the Canadian Football League, looks to be that league’s No. 1 rival for players not quite good enough for the NFL in his eight-team league scheduled to start in February 2001 with each team playing ten games and ending with championship playoffs in April… Subscribers click here to continue.
MONDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer radio covering Raw, the Impact legal action against the Hardys and the other latest news. You can send questions to the show to [email protected].
Evil beat Yuji Nagata earlier today in Fukui to advance to the final four of the New Japan Cup. He’ll face the winner of tomorrow morning’s Toru Yano vs. Bad Luck Fale match on 3/19 in Hamamatsu.
It is confirmed that Rusev had shoulder surgery last week. There were rumors going around and we were only told he’d be out of action for a while, but WWE officials confirmed it was shoulder surgery. Cedric Alexander is also out of action with a right knee injury. Pro Wrestling Sheet first reported the Alexander news.
John Cena will receive the Action Star of the Year award from CinemaCon at their CinemaCon convention 3/27 to 3/30 in Las Vega. He’ll be presented with the award on 3/30 at The Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace. The guy is going places. Cena was on The Today Show earlier today with Nikki Bella talking about the Kids’ Choice Awards that he hosted on Saturday night. He was in New York this morning for the show, spoke at SXSW in Austin, TX today as well. Then he’s advertised for the house show tonight in Charleston, WV and scheduled for Pittsburgh tomorrow.
The WWE will air a one hour edited version of the Hall of Fame show at 11:05 p.m. on the Monday after WrestleMania, which should do great ratings since the Raw that night is likely to be the most-watched Raw of the year.
Dana White will be on Conan O’Brien on TBS on Wednesday at 11 p.m. (thanks to Jon Southerland)
Prediction results from Saturday night’s UFC show in Fortaleza, Brazil:
4-0-1: Mike Sawyer
3-1-1: Mike Sempervive, Josh Nason, Steve Juon, Ryan Frederick, John Pollock, myself
2-2-1: David Bixenspan, Frontrow Brian, Paul Fontaine
WWE
Eric LeGrand was a great choice for the Warrior Award based on what the award is. Congratulations to him for that.
Advertised locally for Raw tonight is Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman, Chris Jericho & Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens & Samoa Joe and Sheamus & Cesaro vs. Enzo & Cass with the winners getting a WrestleMania title match. That doesn’t mean these matches will take place, only that is what is being advertised.
The second episode of Bring it to the Table will air after Raw tonight, with Peter Rosenberg with Corey Graves and John Layfield. Let’s see if they can avoid making everyone mad by blowing off any and all company criticism tonight. The show will also feature the return of Kurt Angle to the WWE Network as they taped an interview with him about a week ago to air as part of this show.
Former WWE ring announcer Justin Roberts’ book about his time with the promotion called “Best Seat in the House” will be released on 4/1. He will be doing an autograph signing with Tommy Dreamer on 4/1 in Orlando at the Barnes & Nobles at Plaza Venezia. I’ve read most of the book and it’s great. It’s a look at WWE behind the scenes in a different way than any book that has come out has done. It is fair and honest.
With Smackdown in Pittsburgh tomorrow, we’ll see if the usual strong crowds for the show continue. Pittsburgh usually draws well, but has a rep for not being very responsive. I know of wrestlers who have talked management into delaying angles by a week in the past because it was Pittsburgh and they were afraid it wouldn’t get a good reaction.
The WWE Jetsons movie called “Robo-WrestleMania” will come out tomorrow.
These dates were announced for out of Florida NXT live events:
4/13 in Atlanta
4/14 in Spartanburg, SC
4/15 in Charlotte
4/27 in Kansas City
4/28 in St. Louis
4/29 in Southhaven, MS (Memphis outskirts)
MISCELLANEOUS
Impact announced that even though TV ratings weren’t up, that YouTube views were up to 2.4 million and up 275% percent from the prior week.
They also announced they would be taping television on 5/30 and 5/31 in Mumbai, India. They will tape two hours of the show both nights, meaning that in June, there will be four shows from India. They also announced they were looking at doing their own satellite promotion in India for local television in quarter four of this year, using a lot of local talent and flying in Impact talent for tapings.
A new Evolve video documentary is here.
Here are notes on Kota Ibushi’s weekend debut in England. (thanks to Marti Hines and Mike Kuzmuk)
Saraya Knight, Paige’s mother, announced that the Bellatrix promotion would be holding a women’s tournament on 5/12 and she’s looking for women from all over the world to attend.
Battlarts on 3/18 at the Dan Kolov Arena in Mississauga, ONT with the semifinals and finals of their tag team title tournament.
Independence Pro Wrestling announced that Matt Cross (Son of Havoc) still hasn’t recovered enough from his broken leg and won’t be able to wrestle on 3/17 in Moosic, PA. Joey Janela will replace him in the main event of the show at the Moosic Youth Center against Lio Rush.
Famed Jiu Jitsu coach John Danaher was in episode four of the TV show “Billions.” There was a scene where he and the lead character played by Paul Giammati were grappling and Danaher caught him in an armbar after Giammati made a quick move and Danaher told him that you have to learn the difference between naive aggression and effective aggression.
Pro Wrestling Phoenix on 3/17 in Omaha at the Waiting Room Lounge.
TCW from yesterday in Rozzano, Milano, Italy: Sami Grayson & Error won over Claudio Campari & La Pasta and Break Bones & Marieddu to win the tag titles, Violent Joe b III Prescelto-DQ, Jacob b Apollo, Rocco Gioiello b Carlo Birra to win the Revolution title, Pain won over Fenice Rossa and Backslash to keep the Extreme title, II Marchese b Scandalo to win the Rebel title, Darkness II b II Marchese to win the Rebel title. (thanks to Alessio Garbini)
Rey Mysterio Jr. appears on 6/3 for Finest City Wrestling in Imperial Beach, CA.
Dan Severn, Manny Fernandez, Steve Keirn, Cryme Time, Brooke Adams, Tanea “Rebel” Brooks and George South have been added to this year’s WrestleCon in Orlando. It is unbelievable how many different things are going on in Orlando that week. You’d have to be five people at the same time to take in all the good wrestling scheduled.
David Marquez’s Championship Wrestling from Hollywood has added TV on WADL-TV in Detroit and KCDO-TV in Denver. The WADL show will air Saturdays at 4 p.m. starting on 4/1 and the Denver show will also air on Saturdays at 4 p.m. starting 4/1.
A story on the late woman wrestling star Karen Kellogg is here.
JTG of Cryme Tyme talks John Cena yelling at him in front of the locker room before the first time he was fired.
The WWN Super Show on 4/1 at 8 p.m. in Orlando at Orlando Live Events in Fern Park, FL on Flo Slam has:
Elimination match to crown the first WWN champion (which will tour multiple promotions on Flo Slam) with Drew Galloway vs. Fred Yehi vs. Jon Davis vs. Matt Riddle vs. Parrow vs. Tracy Williams
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Mark Haskins for Evolve title (if Sabre retains beforehand)
Pete Dunne vs. ACH (this will be an Evolve title match if ACH wins the title)
Ethan Page vs Jimmy Havoc
Travis Banks & TK Cooper vs. Chris Dickinson & Jake
LuFisto vs. Su Yang for Shine title
Keith Lee vs. Jason Kincaid
Today in Professional Wrestling History (3/13): TNA Victory Road 2011
F4W / WO EMPIRE WRESTLEMANIA GROUP INFO
BUS INFO:
The Empire bus to WrestleMania will cost $50.00 and will be round trip from Rosen Inn at 9000 International Drive 32819 (a few blocks away from Wrestlcon). THERE ARE ONLY 5 SEATS LEFT!
The bus will leave at 3:30pm (time subject to change) for WrestleMania and will leave WrestleMania no later then one hour after the show. If you would like a seat email Ed at [email protected] or message him on the BOARD~! for Paypal payment instructions.
DINNER INFO:
WHAT: Dinner at Texas de Brazil
WHEN: Friday March 31st
WHERE: 5259 International Dr Ste F1, Orlando, FL 32819 at 5 p.m. (they may open at 4:30 for us)
WHO: All your best empire buddies, including BIG DAVE MELTZER
DETAILS: The cost of the dinner will be $68.00 which includes the dinner, salad bar, soft drinks and tea, and dessert, tax and tip. This is a pre pay dinner and you can send payment to paypal at [email protected] (please send as a gift to a friend). Payments must be made by March 24th (if you wait until after that, Ed will charge an extra $5.00 for being a pain).
Pro Wrestling Tees is now carrying our latest line of F4W shirts. Support the Empire~! Grab yours today!
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