DAILY UPDATE
Latest News
Two matches, Kevin Owens segment set for WWE SmackDown
Shane McMahon to crown new tag champs on WWE SmackDown
UFC on ESPN+ 9 live results: Al Iaquinta vs. Donald Cerrone
Impact Wrestling TV taping spoilers: RVD vs. Tommy Dreamer
Kota Ibushi vs. Tetsuya Naito set for NJPW Dominion
WWE teases Roman Reigns appearance for Monday’s Raw
VIDEO: Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega appear at indie show
Hiroshi Tanahashi returning to the ring at NJPW BOSJ finals
El Phantasmo makes NJPW debut, set for Best of the Super Juniors
Chris Jericho returns to NJPW, challenges Okada at Dominion
Impact Wrestling results: Rebellion fallout, RVD returns
NJPW Wrestling Dontaku night two live results: Okada vs. SANADA
Latest Audio
F4D: Lance Storm on Impact, Brian Cage, Von Erichs, WWE woes, more! 5/3
Pacific Rim: Cauliflower Alley, Jon Moxley, Miyahara, Stardom 5/3
WOL: Callers try to figure out how to fix WWE 5/3
F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Looking at AEW’s build to Cody vs. Dustin Rhodes
A brother vs. brother match will be one of the key pieces of All Elite Wrestling’s Double or Nothing card.
After weeks of teases, Dustin Rhodes was confirmed as his brother Cody’s opponent for Double or Nothing at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, May 25. Dustin issued a statement about his status with WWE after the announcement was made, revealing that he had requested his release from WWE and was granted it. Dustin also posted a video where he said goodbye to his Goldust character.
WON NEWSLETTER: May 6, 2019 Observer Newsletter: WWE earnings report, Brock Lesnar, more
One of the biggest news issues of the year, a double issue, leads off with a basic state of the industry right now. Read about how WWE business fell in the first quarter, what is and isn’t the long-term prognostication, usage of fake stats in business that history shows are meaningless to growth, WWE injuries, WWE getting behind new talent, changes in October, and more.
Read a lot more on Brock Lesnar staying with WWE and not returning to WWE, such as how the ESPN deal has changed things for top stars in UFC, when Lesnar can command so much money, what has happened over the last year with Lesnar, UFC and WWE and more.
Read the update on Money in the Bank and Double or Nothing and the ticket demand for both.
Look at the front runner for 2021 WrestleMania, notes on 2020 WrestleMania plans including what match is off the books, Dean Ambrose becomes Jon Moxley and what that means, update on situation with Luke Harper, The Revival, Gallows & Anderson and others.
Read rundowns on the UFC and Bellator shows this past week, with business notes, how much the fighters got paid and match-by-match rundowns of both events.
Read more on the Japanese legacy of The Destroyer, listing all of his championship matches in Japan, as well as his biggest wins and his infrequent losses in All Japan in the 70s and 80s.
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SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
A new episode of Table for Three will air on the WWE Network after Monday’s Raw, with it featuring the wives of WWE wrestlers. Reby Hardy, Giovanna Angle, and Kim Orton will be on the episode.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert uploaded video of Ronda Rousey’s appearance on last night’s show. Rousey was on The Late Show to promote Mortal Kombat 11, with her voicing Sonya Blade in the game. She also discussed the hand injury she suffered at WrestleMania 35.
Ricochet’s mother thanked all of the fans who have helped support her and her family after her house was destroyed by a fire.
The WWE.com preview for Monday’s Raw wrote about the Usos-Revival feud: “Okay, so the headline shouldn’t have been that The Revival shave each other’s backs in the shower, but the mildly embarrassing footage obtained by The Usos was still enough to unman the ‘Top Guys’ when all was said and done. The Usos now have a psychological edge in this young rivalry, and in order to catch up to their rivals, the former Raw Tag Team Champions have to either develop thicker skin or finish out their business between the ropes in a way they couldn’t this past week against Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins in what was otherwise a very impressive performance. In other words, this could be the beginning of a whole new Revival or the first humiliation of many. The choice is up to them.”
CBS Local Sports has an interview with Carmella.
Mark Henry called Sami Zayn the best promo in wrestling today.
Pro Wrestling
RVD, Sabu & Tommy Dreamer vs. Moose & The North (Josh Alexander & Ethan Page) is set for tonight’s Impact tapings at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.
Former NWA National Champion Willie Mack has signed a multi-year deal with Impact Wrestling. NWA World Champion Nick Aldis sent out a tweet (that has since been deleted) responding to the news: “If you ever wanted to see the evidence of scheming carny wrestling BS, look no further. Sorry Willie. They took advantage of you.”
Impact is holding a show called “A Night You Can’t Mist” at the 2300 Arena on June 8. It will feature The Great Muta and will air live on Impact Plus.
NJPW uploaded the video of Chris Jericho that aired at the end of this morning’s Wrestling Dontaku show. Jericho said he’ll be challenging for Kazuchika Okada’s IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Dominion on June 9. Jericho’s contract with AEW allows him to have matches for NJPW.
Allysin Kay will make her first defense of the NWA World Women’s Championship at ROH’s TV tapings in Villa Park, Illinois on May 12. Marti Belle will be her opponent.
Jon Moxley (Dean Ambrose) presented the Trainer Award to Cody Hawk at this year’s Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion.
The Von Erichs episode of Dark Side of the Ring averaged 234,000 viewers on Viceland on Wednesday night, which was again a high point for the series. The rating in the 18-49 demo was a 0.08.
Daisuke Sekimoto has been announced for Game Changer Wrestling’s show in Asbury Park, New Jersey on July 26.
Ilja Dragunov will face Brian Cage at wXw’s event in Munster, Germany on May 31.
UFC/MMA
The UFC has signed Amir Aliakbari — a heavyweight fighter who has been banned for life by United World Wrestling due to two failed drug tests.
Claudia Gadelha vs. Randa Markos is now official for UFC 239 in Las Vegas on July 6.
Tyron Woodley wants a welterweight title shot next if he defeats Robbie Lawler on June 29.
Daily Pro Wrestling History: WWE Extreme Rules 2014
F4W Empire Convention Info:
Ed in San Antonio presents PODER~! at the FSW arena on Friday 5/24 – Showtime is at noon – Main event: Bryan Alvarez vs. Logan Stunt
Empire dinner on Friday 5/24 at 8:30 p.m. at Texas de Brazil – Price is $82 – All you can eat meat and salad, sodas, tea, and coffee, plus dessert included
Empire suite party on Friday 5/24 for those who were not able to get the Q&A package – Price is $25
Purchase tickets here.
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