DAILY UPDATE
Latest News:
WWE SmackDown ratings down slightly despite lack of competition
NXT UK results: Tag Team titles on the line, Niven vs. Ripley
Jonathan Gresham announced for PWG Battle of Los Angeles
WWE SmackDown video highlights: Kingston and Joe go face-to-face
Stipulation set for Undertaker & Reigns vs. Shane & McIntyre
WWE adds Heavy Machinery to Tag Team title match at Extreme Rules
WWE 205 Live results: Six-man tag main event
WWE SmackDown live results: More build to Extreme Rules
Latest Audio:
WOL: The good and bad of SmackDown, plus your calls and more 7/3
FREE SHOW! Pacific Rim: G1 Climax preview, predictions, and history 7/3
WOR: SmackDown, Heyman/Bischoff, Lance Archer interview 7/3
B&V&C: Retro Raw and Nitro from 19 years ago this week! 7/2
F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Recapping WWE Stomping Grounds
After a lack of interest heading into the pay-per-view, Stomping Grounds was a show that exceeded expectations.
Given that there weren’t really any surprises at the PPV, that’s probably mostly due to expectations being set too low. Nothing on the show was dramatically better than it should have been. The PPV succeeded where most good WWE shows do. Even if the build was underwhelming, a talented roster was able to go out to the ring and have good matches throughout much of the card.
WON NEWSLETTER: July 1, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Paul Heyman & Eric Bischoff hired as WWE Executive Directors
A look at the WWE’s move to bring in Paul Heyman and Eric Bischoff is the lead story in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The story talks about what led to the moves, the questions about the moves that aren’t answered, the Heyman-McMahon history, the Bischoff decision, and how Wall Street and AEW fit into this equation.
We also look at the end of the political career of Antonio Inoki, a look at plans for Extreme Rules, business notes on ticket sales for the summer’s biggest events, the business this past week of WWE, the reaction to Seth Rollins vs. Baron Corbin, full coverage of Stomping Grounds with match-by-match rundowns, star ratings and poll results.
We also look at the retirement of Riki Choshu, a look back at his heyday, his awards, his as a headliner and booker and as a creator as well as his retirement mach.
We also look at the July 13 night of wrestling that will be loaded as far as different offerings go, with ESPN+, AXS, WWE Network and B/R Live all offering shows at the same time. We look at how and why this happened.
We also look at changes to WWE television, why the Rollins vs. Bryan match went like it did, and what the internal feeling is about the changes. We also look at the rounds system, 24/7 title news, declines in Raw viewership over the past year in different demos, new WWE signings, WWE injury updates, Noam Dar talks Adrian McCallum, Lio Rush update, WWE canceling shows and why, television industry exec talks wrestling and television landscape and how the mentality of TV has changed, WWE name changes, first Smackdown on FOX news updates and the market value of WWE.
We also look at all the NXT and WWE main roster events over the past week with match results, highlights and other business notes.
We’ve got full coverage of this past week’s UFC show with business notes.
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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch vs. Andrade & Zelina Vega looks to be set for next week. WWE uploaded a video where Vega & Andrade challenged Lynch & Rollins to the match, then Lynch & Rollins accepted via Twitter. The title of the video on WWE.com noted that the challenge was for Raw.
Will Ospreay accepted Rollins’ apology for the tweet Rollins sent last month about comparing bank accounts with Ospreay: “Apology accepted. Just buy me a Nando’s 😉 Honestly nothing but respect for you sir, just a bit of banter in my mind. I’ve followed your career since you were Tyler Black, I know it’s not all the money & it’s about the love. Keep flying your flag & having fun.”
On last night’s SmackDown, Aleister Black challenged the person who knocked on his door last week (who has yet to be revealed) to show up and face him at Extreme Rules.
John Pollock of Post Wrestling reported that Eric Bischoff wasn’t at SmackDown last night.
Ronda Rousey posted a comedic video about missing wrestling, with her doing wrestling-related things around her house.
Raw and SmackDown will both be taped at WWE’s tapings at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England on Friday, November 8.
After it was part of a storyline on this week’s Raw, Maria Kanellis officially confirmed that she’s pregnant. This is Mike and Maria’s second child.
Drake Maverick tweeted parts one and two of videos from his honeymoon with Renee Michelle.
The Wrap has an interview with Kofi Kingston.
Bret Hart thanked everyone for wishing him a happy 62nd birthday yesterday: “Thanks everyone for the kind birthday messages and posts. It was a perfect day.”
John Cena unveiled his new haircut.
Pro Wrestling
WALTER vs. Daisuke Sekimoto is set for wXw’s show in Toronto on August 9.
Air Wolf vs. Ace Austin has been added to MLW’s TV tapings in Cicero, Illinois this Saturday.
Impact Wrestling uploaded a video that includes the ending of every Slammiversary PPV.
NJPW’s English-language website posted part one of an interview with KENTA.
The Ringer has a story on Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi’s rivalry in their own words.
UFC/MMA
Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Michelle Waterson has been verbally agreed to as the main event of the UFC’s ESPN+ show on October 12. The fight will be at strawweight.
Jared Cannonier vs. Jack Hermansson is set to headline the ESPN+ event in Denmark on September 28.
John Lineker has been released by the UFC.
Joanne Calderwood will face Andrea Lee at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi on September 7.
Episode three of Embedded for UFC 239 is now available.
Luke Rockhold wants a shot against Jon Jones if they win their fights on Saturday: “Look at the division, look at the people there. I’m fighting the No. 6 ranked guy in the world. Look what’s ahead of me. There aren’t that many options for Mr. Jon Jones and I’ve proven myself in this game. I’m not looking to f*cking dance around. I’m looking to go straight through. Straight to Jon.”
Former UFC fighter Arjan Bhullar has signed a multi-fight deal with ONE Championship.
Daily Pro Wrestling History: AJ Styles & Jerry Lynn win NWA Tag Team titles
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