THE ROUND-UP
THE LATEST NEWS
Daniel Bryan says there’s a ‘good chance’ he’ll re-sign with WWE
UFC Fight Night 133 live results: Junior dos Santos vs. Blagoy Ivanov
PWG Threemendous V live results: Two title matches
NJPW G1 Climax 28 night one live results: Okada vs. Jay White
NXT Sanford & Tampa, FL, live results: Undisputed Era in action
THE LATEST AUDIO
FREE WOL! Brock’s next match, ROH at MSG, All Ego Ethan Page, more! 7/13
Wrestling Weekly: ROH-NJPW at MSG, ROH Dojo, JR and Takahashi 7/13
B&V&G: Granny, NXT, THURSDAY NIGHT POTPOURRI! 7/13
F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Brock Lesnar appears at UFC 226
Brock Lesnar made an in-person appearance and took part in his first pro wrestling angle since April this past Saturday night — it just wasn’t at a WWE show. While the Raw roster, with The Undertaker and Ronda Rousey as the special attractions, were at Madison Square Garden for a house show, Lesnar was at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas setting up his return to mixed martial arts.
WON NEWSLETTER: (July 16, 2018) Daniel Cormier/Brock Lesnar fallout from UFC 226
Daniel Cormier and Brock Lesnar and details behind their proposed fight as well as how this relates to Lesnar in WWE is the lead story in the current issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The issue also covers the G-1 Special at the Cow Palace as well as G-1 notes for week one.
Look at why Cormier’s win of the heavyweight title is very different from his light heavyweight win, the arguments about the greatest MMA fighter of all-time and others in that discussion, as well as the drug testing issue, the Cormier-Lesnar angle, and the earliest date Cormier vs. Lesnar can take place.
Have a more in-depth look at how the WWE and UFC television deals went down.
Read about the WWE stock price, how this complicates talks of a sale of the company, and current market value.
Get the update on a lot of WWE injuries and returns, Dwayne Johnson and the presidency, Ronda Rousey advertising, Paul Heyman being at Raw last week and why he was there, wrestling becoming part of Kane’s Mayoral race, changes in the 2018 PPV schedule, and a second Jim Ross autobiography.
Read about the New Japan Cow Palace show, looking at the injuries to Hiromu Takahashi and Jim Ross with updates, thoughts on New Japan injuries, neck problems from the past and in other companies, why the injury probably took place, and what happened after the show with Jim Ross.
This issue has full coverage of UFC 226, with business notes, early PPV numbers, poll results and match-by-match coverage.
Read the updated thoughts on Extreme Rules.
Get in-depth information on the Enzo Amore situation after the police investigation ended.
Look at WWE’s biggest U.S. house show of the year so far in Madison Square Garden featuring Undertaker and Ronda Rousey.
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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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.
SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
A photo gallery that WWE.com posted of every Performance Center recruit indicates that Donovan Dijak and former TNA wrestler Gunner, who had both been wrestling under their real names in NXT, have gotten their WWE names. Dijak is referred to as “Dominik Dijakovic,” while Gunner is “Jaxson Ryker.”
NXT is doing an angle where Bianca Belair has been removed from an announced number one contender’s fatal four-way for next week’s episode due to a storyline “injury.” The match, which included Kairi Sane, Nikki Cross and Candice LeRae, was taped while Belair and Montez Ford were on their honeymoon. It seems that the storyline is to explain her not being in the match and protect her/set her up as a future challenger.
The Hollywood Reporter projected that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s movie “Skyscraper” will earn a disappointing $24-25 million at the box office this weekend. Pre-release tracking had indicated that it would earn $33-40 million. The Hollywood Reporter noted that the film is counting on the money it will generate overseas.
Charlotte Flair looked back on yesterday being the three-year anniversary of her main roster debut: “3 years ago today I debuted on #Raw @wwe in Atlanta and had no idea what the future was going to hold. Main events, Ladder Matches, Hell In a Cell, Titles, Brand Splits, Robes (@terrysews2) and co-workers that become family. We have a very special job as @WWE talent and the memories I have made in and outside of the ring I am going to cherish forever. Wrestling has changed my life for the better in so many ways and cant wait to see where it continues to take me both professionally and personally. The Women’s Division has come so far and I believe we’ve really only scratched the surface”
The Undertaker appeared at a Harlem Globetrotters game and held the ball for a player who did a trampoline-assisted dunk.
In his hometown, Kurt Angle threw out the first pitch at today’s Pittsburgh Pirates game. Extreme Rules will take place in the city tomorrow night.
WWE looked back at Kaitlyn’s five best moments for the company after it was announced that she’d be returning for this year’s Mae Young Classic. They also ranked the 10 craziest crash-landings from Extreme Rules PPVs.
After challenging The Rock to take part in a segment with him, Elias tweeted a link to a Go Fund Me to help The Rock’s “road to recovery after Walking With Elias.”
Pro Wrestling
Hiromu Takahashi tweeted last night for the first time since the neck injury that he suffered at last Saturday’s G1 Special in San Francisco. Takahashi posted a picture where he wrote “I’m fine thank you!” in Japanese, English, and Spanish. He also drew a picture of himself with his head coming off his body.
NJPW is back at Ota Ward Gymnasium in Tokyo overnight/tomorrow morning as the first B Block show starts at 2 a.m. Eastern time. Kenny Omega vs. Tetsuya Naito headlines the show. They had one of the best matches of the year in last year’s finals and also had a high-end match of the year candidate near the end of the 2016 G1. Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr., Hirooki Goto vs. SANADA, Juice Robinson vs. Tama Tonga, and Tomohiro Ishii vs. Toru Yano are the other tournament matches. Here’s the full card:
Kenny Omega vs. Tetsuya Naito
Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Hirooki Goto vs. SANADA
Juice Robinson vs. Tama Tonga
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Toru Yano
Hiroshi Tanahashi & David Finlay vs. Jay White & Yoh
Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tanga Loa
Togi Makabe & Toa Henare vs. Minoru Suzuki & El Desperado
YOSHI-HASHI & Sho vs. EVIL & BUSHI
Michael Elgin & Shota Umino vs. Hangman Page & Chase Owens
Les Thatcher tweeted an update on 71-year-old former Texas-area and WWF wrestler Scott Casey after Casey suffered a heart attack earlier in the week: “UPDATE! Talked with my buddy Scott Casey this morning. They did a quadruple bypass yesterday which went well. He is resting, but says he doesn’t want to do this again! Please keep him in your thoughts & prayers”
Someone dressed as Geoffrey, the Toys “R’ Us mascot, was eliminated from a battle royal at a show for FSCW in Florida when Gangrel hit them with an Amazon package.
Goldberg spent an hour helping teach at the Portsmouth School of Wrestling in the UK this morning.
Instinct Culture interviewed Josh Barnett about the injury that Jim Ross suffered at NJPW’s G1 Special in San Francisco.
UFC/MMA
Alexander Gustafsson thinks Daniel Cormier will do better at heavyweight than light heavyweight.
Cormier posted a photo on Instagram of the titles he’s collected throughout his career.
Cris Cyborg said that she could fight before facing Amanda Nunes in December and, with her contract coming up, Nunes could be her final opponent.
Middleweight Paulo Costa said he wants his next fight to be against Chris Weidman at Madison Square Garden but isn’t opposed to facing Israel Adesanya.
Daily Professional Wrestling History: Harley Race wins 1986 King of the Ring
12th Annual F4W Empire Vegas Convention
Greetings friends and fans of the F4W / Wrestling Observer website. It’s time to announce the details of the 12th annual F4W / Wrestling Observer Empire Las Vegas Convention~!
This year’s event will be taking place in Las Vegas from August 16th to the 20th and will again be in conjunction with WWE’s SummerSlam weekend a.k.a. Super China Buffet Day~! There will still be the usual events, but our big draw will be WWE’s summer blockbuster PPV, SummerSlam. As per tradition, we will all gorge ourselves at a Las Vegas buffet, and then watch SummerSlam in a rented out movie theater. All information and ticketing prices are available now. Sign up ASAP as spots are limited for some events.
This year will also feature a Future Stars Wrestling show which will include the first ever Gladys Gibson Doubles Match Classic! Already booked for the show are the teams Mia Yim & Leva Bates, Shotzi Blackheart & ???, Samantha Heights & Brittany Blake, and Miranda Alize & Kylie Rae. Also appearing will be Kris Wolf along with many more future stars. There may even be a classic star or two making an appearance. You won’t want to miss this show! Check out the convention’s Facebook page for all additional information.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Poll opinions: [email protected]
Feedback: [email protected]
Show results and news tips: [email protected]
Wrestling Observer Radio questions: [email protected]
Support the Empire~! with F4W shirts. Grab yours today!