Daily Update: Tyler Bate on 205 Live tonight, Being the Elite, Bisping
THE ROUND-UP
THE LATEST NEWS
Post-Royal Rumble WWE Raw ratings down a bit from last year
Daniel Bryan announces ranking system for WWE SmackDown
Jeremy Borash departing Impact Wrestling for WWE
WWE Raw video highlights: Asuka-Banks, Cena-Balor
First-ever women’s Elimination Chamber match official for next month
WWE Raw live results: Fallout from the Royal Rumble
THE LATEST AUDIO
WOL: Ronda Rousey, Royal Rumble, Raw, Elimination Chamber, tons more! 1/30
WOR: Royal Rumble fallout, Raw recap, New Japan sellout, more! 1/30
F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly 1/22/2018: Recapping WWE Raw 25
With a rare opportunity to present an episode that reached a bit beyond WWE’s usual audience, Raw’s 25th anniversary show took place in New York City on Monday night. It was the most-anticipated Raw of the year, with WWE putting their full promotional force behind the event and inviting seemingly every available name from the past. With a rare opportunity to present an episode that reached a bit beyond WWE’s usual audience, Raw’s 25th anniversary show took place in New York City on Monday night.
WON NEWSLETTER: January 29, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Enzo Amore rape allegations, WWE Raw 25, plus tons of news
The most detailed coverage of the Enzo Amore allegations and firing is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer. Look at all sides of the story, from the allegations by Philomena Sheahan, details of who was in the room, why WWE was so quick to fire him, her claims, claims of people who know her, what is in the text message, the problem with the police investigation, what is next for 205 Live and plans that have been scrapped.
Also have a look at the WWE this week, including Raw 25, angles on the show, WrestleMania current plans, future of Brock Lesnar, Royal Rumble, the Takeover special, what audience flocked to Raw that usually doesn’t, how Raw viewer patterns have changed since the last similar special, what age group nearly doubled from last week, and how the gender split changed.
Read about the history of Raw, why it was moved quickly from the Manhattan Center, the move to two hours, how close the show came to being canceled and why it wasn’t, when the show started making the company significant money, how Raw and Vince McMahon in 2005 were responsible for the start of a major sports franchise, the story of Raw going to Spike and back to USA, and what are really the longest lasting wrestling shows in U.S. television history.
Full coverage of Raw 25 inside this issue.
Check out the Podcastone situation and why people are leaving, more on the 2019 Royal Rumble plans, more on WWE stock and the move being made for a cheap WWE Network sub and the reason, George Barrios says strange things about WWE talent contracts, Hogan talks Bullet Club and the smoke to that fire, Cena movie gets Academy Award nomination, Cena up for lead for another movie, success of Dwayne Johnson’s current movie, funny quotes from Michaels & HHH about Goldberg being a Hall of Famer from a few years ago, and more WWE injuries.
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WON BACK ISSUE: January 15, 2001 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2000 Year End Awards, final ECW PPV reviewed, plus tons of news
In what may have been the swan song of the promotion, ECW promised a “holy shit” surprise, which prompted debates over methods of promotion today as well as if there is any future left with the company in the wake of losing its New York television, cancelling next month’s PPV and not even producing a new TV show in the go-home week before a PPV show.
TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
WWE posted video of Tyler Bate backstage in Philadelphia for the SmackDown/Mixed Match Challenge/205 Live tapings. The storyline is that he’s been invited to 205 Live tonight by the new general manager for something to do with the Cruiserweight title. The new GM and plans for the championship will be revealed on the show.
John Cena, Braun Strowman, and Elias have qualified for the men’s Elimination Chamber match. There will be three more qualifying matches before next month’s pay-per-view.
Cena, a Massachusetts native, sang “Fly Eagles Fly” after Raw in Philly.
On Main Event, Bayley appeared and defeated Sonya Deville. Kalisto, Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado also beat TJP, Jack Gallagher & Ariya Daivari.
Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio last night that Adam Cole was at one point planned to answer Bobby Roode’s open challenge for the United States Championship at the Royal Rumble, but Cole was in the Rumble match instead because he would have had to lose a fairly short match against Roode.
Triple H spoke to USA Today about Ronda Rousey coming to WWE. He said Rousey will return to training at the Performance Center once she finishes filming “Mile 22” in Colombia. Rousey returned to Colombia following the Royal Rumble and wasn’t on Raw last night.
The Daily Beast has an article on Lita supporting the #MeToo movement by wearing “Time’s Up” on her Royal Rumble gear. (thanks to reader Jake Koch)
WWE posted a behind-the-scenes video from Raw 25. It’s over eight minutes long and features an out-of-character appearance by The Undertaker.
Mick Foley tweeted about Sasha Banks’ dive from her Raw match against Asuka: “I really don’t want to see Sasha try that dive again. Too many close calls. Time to take that item off the menu.”
Ten of the Coliseum Home Videos coming to the WWE Network next week have been revealed. They are:
Bloopers, Bleeps, and Bodyslams
Most Unusual Matches
Villains of the Squared Circle
Brains Behind the Brawn
Funniest Moments
Mega Matches
Wrestling’s Greatest Champions
Battle at the Royal Albert Hall
World Tour ‘92
Invasion of the Bodyslammers
The trailer for the third season of Total Bellas has been released, with the show returning in the spring.
Johnny Gargano will be the guest on Edge & Christian’s podcast this week.
Braun Strowman tried to teach Alexa Bliss how to flip over cars in a pre-Mixed Match Challenge video. Strowman & Bliss vs. Sami Zayn & Becky Lynch will take place after SmackDown tonight.
Becky Lynch turns 31 years old today. Charlotte Flair tweeted a birthday message to her: “Happy Birthday to my best friend @beckylynchwwe A sister in my soul & a friend in my [heart] the last five years some important people have come into my life and she’s one. She’s taught me so much about life, our business and her passion for what she does inspires me every day.”
Seth Rollins spoke to the Des Moines Register about Raw being in Iowa next week.
Pro Wrestling
The latest episode of “Being the Elite” includes some follow-up to the show-closing angle from the New Beginning in Sapporo night two and has a great ending.
Lance Storm will be the special guest referee for Tenille Dashwood vs. Rachael Ellering at Wrestling Has A Tomorrow in Providence on February 11th. Storm trained both wrestlers at his school.
Here’s a video of Terry Funk giving a tour of his office and reflecting on his career.
The main event of Joey Janela’s Spring Break 2 in New Orleans on April 6th is set to be Janela vs. The Great Sasuke.
Minoru Suzuki has been announced for Revolution Pro Wrestling’s WrestleMania week show on April 6th.
Also on April 6th, Travis Banks will be wrestling for EVOLVE at their afternoon event and on the WWN Supershow.
Gama Singh (the manager of the group), Rohit Raju, Vikas Kumar, Gursinder Singh, and Bhupinder Singh were announced as being part of Impact Wrestling’s “Desi Hit Squad” stable.
ACH is set to debut for MLW on February 8th in Orlando.
UFC/MMA
Dave Meltzer wrote a column for MMA Fighting about Ronda Rousey’s transition to pro wrestling.
Cris Cyborg reacted to Rousey signing with WWE: “I believe that she will be happy in WWE, and it’s completely different from the reality of MMA. For an example, wins and losses are decided before the shows.”
Michael Bisping confirmed that he won’t be fighting at the UFC’s upcoming show in London. Bisping previously said his family and friends wanted him to stop fighting instead of having his retirement bout in London, but Bisping hasn’t indicated whether he’s retired now or not.
Daniel Cormier thinks he’ll be in the conversation for the greatest fighter of all time if he beats Stipe Miocic.
Chuck Liddell is part of the cast of CBS’ “Celebrity Big Brother.”
Today in Professional Wrestling History: Batista wins Royal Rumble 2005
WRESTLING OBSERVER / F4W – WRESTLEMANIA 34 in NEW ORLEANS
Here we go again! It’s back to New Orleans for Wrestlemania 34 and a huge weekend of spectacular professional wrestling related fun and wackiness. EdinSanAntonio Productions along with the Wrestling Observer / Figure Four Empire~! is proud to present the annual Wrestlemania weekend trip details. This huge weekend includes a number of website “members only” events. Below are the two events currently scheduled. Click here for full event details.
WOR Podcast Taping: Purchase TICKETS for the Wrestling Observer Radio LIVE MAILBAG~!
WHAT: Wrestling Observer Radio LIVE Podcast Recording with Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez
WHEN: Friday, April 6th, 2018 – 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Doors open at 8:45 a.m. for VIP ticket holders and at 9:15 a.m. for general admission)
WHERE: The Bourbon Room, Royal St. Charles Hotel in downtown New Orleans; 135 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130
WO/F4W Brunch: Purchase TICKETS for the Wrestling Oberver BRUNCH~!
WHAT: All you care to eat brunch buffet on the morning of Wrestlemania
WHEN: Sunday, April 8th, 2018 – T11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Court of Two Sisters restaurant in downtown New Orleans; 613 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70130
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