THE ROUND-UP
The Latest from the F4W Staff
NEWS
SmackDown does second best rating of fall TV season
WWE SmackDown video highlights: James Ellsworth gets his title shot
WWE 205 Live results: Rich Swann & TJP vs. Neville & Brian Kendrick
Two more title matches set for the final SmackDown of 2016
WWE SmackDown live results: Two title matches scheduled
AUDIO
WOL: Smackdown Live, 205 Live, John Cena’s return, tons more! 12/21
B&V&C: Raw plus go-home Nitro for the biggest WCW PPV of all time! 12/20
DR. KEITH PRESENTS: DKP Duos II — The Lowe Flying Falcon!!! 12/20
WOL: Potential WrestleMania card, Royal Rumble, BRAUN STROWMAN, more! 12/20
FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 12/12/2016 The Paige/Alberto Del Rio relationship isn’t funny anymore
International Wrestling Revolution Group, or IWRG, has been one of Mexico’s top independent promotions for over two decades. Yet aside from the period where it was the Mexican home of Ultimo Dragon’s students when Toryumon was getting off the ground, the promotion rarely got much international attention… Subscribers click here to continue.
WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: December 19, 2016 Vice article on WWE behind the scenes, Wrestlekingdom 11 card, more
A look at the inner workings of WWE and the latest change in creative is the lead story of a double-issue this week of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Also, a look at the greatest tag teams of all-time, New Japan’s Tokyo Dome show, WWE house show rules, Japanese awards, American awards and what exactly happened in incidents with Alberto Del Rio and Shad Gaspard over the past week.
The lead story covers the major Vice story on the WWE, including Shane McMahon’s attempt to get control of creative, the situation with Kevin Dunn, Paul Levesque and Stephanie McMahon, when Stephanie McMahon was in creative, insiders talk Vince McMahon’s philosophy, the firing of the No. 3 guy in creative and how it went down, and updated notes about the WWE Network, the current audience and the company’s future.
This issue has a look at the ratings John Cena drew for Saturday Night Live, an update on A.J. Styles’ ankle injury, Zack Ryder injury, Jerry Lawler talks being let go, Finn Balor’s return, WWE looking to get outside funding and why stockholders are concerned, more on the WWE Network, projections for WWE business in 20-16 and network numbers, Chris Hero and WWE update, legend to do a coaching gig with WWE, and notes on a lot of new talent signing and new talent trying out.
Finally, this issue has coverage of UFC 206, including what’s next for the various stars of the show, business notes on the show, early PPV estimates, ratings news, plus match-by-match coverage and poll results from the show… 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: November 29, 1999 Steve Austin’s career in doubt, WCW Mayhem review, more – Steve Austin gets bad news from doctors regarding his neck, a full review of WCW Mayhem, plus tons of news. As mentioned last week, the future of Steve Austin as an in-ring performer is in serious doubt after getting results of tests on his neck, originally injured in the August 3, 1997 Meadowlands match against Owen Hart… Subscribers click here to continue.
WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
WWE is loading up next week’s year-end edition of SmackDown in Chicago, Illinois with three title matches in addition to the return of John Cena to TV. AJ Styles will defend the WWE Championship against Dolph Ziggler and Baron Corbin in a triple threat match, The Wyatt Family will put their titles on the line against American Alpha, The Usos, and Heath Slater & Rhyno in a four corners elimination match, and Becky Lynch will challenge Alexa Bliss for the SmackDown Women’s title.
With this week’s SmackDown doing a strong ratings number, it will be interesting to see how next week’s show does compared to Raw with Cena returning and so much announced.
Tonight’s episode of NXT features a fatal four-way match between Roderick Strong, Bobby Roode, Andrade “Cien” Almas, and Tye Dillinger with the winner getting a shot at Shinsuke Nakamura’s NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver: San Antonio next month.
Michael Cole discussed Nigel McGuinness joining WWE, Corey Graves’ performance, and why he likes working in a three-man booth in an interview with ESPN.
ESPN posted a short first look at their upcoming 30 for 30 documentary on Ric Flair.
PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING
TNA posted a sneak peek of next week’s Hardy Family New Year episode of Impact.
Matt Riddle will debut for wXw in a match against Walter on March 4th.
ROH announced Jay Lethal vs. Bobby Fish vs. Dalton Castle and Cody Rhodes vs. Donovan Dijak for their February 3rd show in San Antonio, Texas. The Young Bucks will also defend their tag titles against The Briscoes in a two-out-of-three falls match in Dallas on February 4th.
Vader responds to comments made about him by former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen in relation to a misunderstanding regarding a podcast appearance.
The Card Is Going To Change Podcast, episode 28: Matt Riddle. Chandler Biggins, Steve Guy, and John Thorne discuss the recent falling out between Matt Riddle and Absolute Intense Wrestling.
MMA
Jose Aldo participated in a Q&A with Ariel Helwani and commented on his UFC 208 fight against Max Holloway falling through, Conor McGregor, and a potential fight for the interim lightweight title.
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Max Holloway responded to Aldo’s comments.
The UFC announced Mark Hunt vs. Alistair Overeem for UFC 209 on March 4th, but Hunt said that he’ll only fight if a clause that protects him if Overeem fails a drug test is added. Hunt last fought against Brock Lesnar at UFC 200.
Louis Smolka vs. Ray Borg will now open the UFC 207 pay-per-view broadcast after Jessica Andrade was pulled from the show with the UFC unable to find a replacement opponent for her.
New England Fight’s next event, “NEF 27: RESURGENCE” takes place on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 207.783.2009, extension 525. For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”
Invicta Fighting Championships today announced three new bouts for Invicta FC 21: Anderson vs. Tweet, completing the eight-fight card which takes place from the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Saturday, Jan. 14. Prior to today, five match-ups have been announced by the leader in women’s mixed martial arts for its first event of 2017.
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