Daily Update: Wrestle Kingdom 11 results, SD matches, G1 specials
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THE ROUND-UP
The Latest from the F4W Staff
NEWS
Goldberg’s appearance on Raw helps boost this week’s ratings
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11 live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega
WWE SmackDown video highlights: The Miz vs. Dean Ambrose
WWE 205 Live results: Neville takes on TJ Perkins
WWE SmackDown live results: AJ Styles & John Cena contract signing
UFC 207 prelims draw an impressive number on FS1
Judge dismisses murder charges against Jimmy Snuka
NJPW Fan Festival results: Tomoyuki Oka debuts; Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask IV team up
Details on Alberto Del Rio’s arrest & brawl with his brother in Austria
AUDIO
DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: Pro wrestling longform history, pt. 9 1/4
F4W’s Best Of 2016 audio compilation, part two 1/4
B&V&C: Raw and Nitro from the first week of January 1998! 1/3
F4W’s Best Of 2016 audio compilation, part one 1/3
FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: WWE’s transformative 2016
Though the malaise of three-hour Raws and seemingly constant content often made it difficult to appreciate in the moment, 2016 was a transformative year for WWE that featured high points in diverse in-ring action. Some of the same problems that have long existed still remain as we enter the New Year. Raws are, indeed, too long… Subscribers click here to continue.
WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: January 2, 2017 UFC 207 preview, Wrestlemania’s rumored matches, more
A look at Ronda Rousey going into what will be the fight that determines a lot of her legacy is the lead story of the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Find out why this fight will be looked back on as a key to her career, why it could be her last fight, and the psychological issues going into this fight. There is also a look at other aspects of the show including Cain Velasquez not fighting, and the last show for two of the longest-tenured UFC employees, booker Joe Silva and announcer Mike Goldberg. Plus, look at the ramifications of the show.
This issue also has an update on WrestleMania 33, with the three matches confirmed for the show and several others likely, plus the latest on the Undertaker situation and the different ideas Vince McMahon has been talking about, and also look at where other top stars are fitting in.
Preview the Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada match and the Tokyo Dome build, and find out what to look for from a business standpoint as well as a history standpoint. Also, have a look at the rest of the show and what to expect and a look back at some history of January 4th at the Tokyo Dome.
Mick Foley’s hip surgery situation and why he’s not having it just yet, notes on the 2017 Money in the Bank show, a look at the past 11 years with what WWE stars headlined most often and what WWE matches drew the best with a lot of surprises, inside this issue. Also, look at exactly who owns WWE right now. Find out what WrestleMania main event poll that was taken down, and also look at the situation in the U.K. Examine the NXT TV specials, Hulk Hogan, a college class on a former WWE champion, WWE and Matt Riddle, how a WWE Network special was edited, as well as stock notes, and the most watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network… Subscribers click here to continue.
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].
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WON BACK ISSUE: December 12, 1999: WWF slightly tones down product, Vince Russo on WOL, more – After a week of bad publicity which sent sponsors running and sent its stock plummeting, the kinder, gentler WWF came back with a toned down Smackdown and a slightly toned down, although you’d have to examine to closely to notice, Raw show… Subscribers click here to continue.
WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Three matches have been announced for next week’s SmackDown. John Cena will make his in-ring return against Baron Corbin, The Wyatt Family will challenge American Alpha for their tag titles, and Nikki Bella will face Natalya.
Baron Corbin became the first announced SmackDown entrant in the Royal Rumble on last night’s show.
Tonight’s two-hour episode of NXT features matches from the brand’s show in Melbourne, Australia last month. The full version of the NXT Championship cage match between Shinsuke Nakamura and Samoa Joe will air in the main event. The show will also feature DIY defending their tag titles against TM61, Ember Moon facing Liv Morgan and Billie Kay in a triple threat match, Tye Dillinger & Buddy Murphy teaming up to take on Bobby Roode & Elias Samson, and The Revival vs. Tino Sabbatelli & Riddick Moss.
Seth Rollins tweeted about Wrestle Kingdom 11 today: “Pretty awesome to see professional wrestling on all levels alive and well all over the world. #wrestlekingdom11”
PRO WRESTLING
The announced paid attendance for Wrestle Kingdom 11 at the Tokyo Dome was 26,192 people, which was up from last year’s crowd of 25,204.
NJPW announced two “G1 specials” in California at the Long Beach Convention Center on July 1st and 2nd. The tournament itself will begin on July 17th and end with three straight nights in Sumo Hall concluding on August 13th.
NJPW’s New Year’s Dash show airs on NJPW World late tonight/early tomorrow morning at 4:30 a.m. ET. The post-Wrestle Kingdom event takes place at Korakuen Hall every year to set up the angles coming out of NJPW’s biggest show of the year.
Michael Elgin demanded to challenge Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship after Wrestle Kingdom.
NJPW posted the Kenny Omega Terminator video that aired prior to his entrance at the Dome.
For the first time ever at the Tokyo Dome, the Ring of Honor World Championship changed hands this morning as Adam Cole beat Kyle O’Reilly. The title switch would seem related to O’Reilly’s contract status, with O’Reilly’s contract having expired at the end of last year. Cole is the first person to ever hold the title three times.
Scott Norton appeared in this morning’s New Japan Rumble match.
Timothy Thatcher will defend the EVOLVE Championship against Jeff Cobb over Royal Rumble weekend in San Antonio, Texas at EVOLVE 77 on January 28th. Before that, Thatcher & Cobb will team up to challenge the Catch Point team of “Hot Sauce” Tracy Williams & Fred Yehi for their tag titles at EVOLVE 76 on January 27th. ACH will also make his debut for the promotion against Matt Riddle at EVOLVE 76.
The Washington Post has a profile on Shane Douglas that focuses on why he voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 election.
Ric Flair’s podcast at MLW Radio has ended its run.
UFC / MMA
Matching the suspension that he got from the Nevada State Athletic Commission, USADA announced on Wednesday that Brock Lesnar has been suspended for one year for his drug test failures surrounding UFC 200.
Mark Hunt posted that his UFC 209 fight with Alistair Overeem is official.
ONE Women’s Atomweight Champion Angela Lee will defend her title against Jenny Huang in Bangkok on March 11th.
Today in Professional Wrestling History (1/4): NJPW Tokyo Dome cards
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