THE ROUND-UP
The Latest from the F4W Staff
NEWS
Raw ratings up slightly for Royal Rumble go-home show
Bellator 170 does big numbers for Tito Ortiz vs. Chael Sonnen
WWE Raw video highlights: Goldberg, Lesnar & Undertaker build to Sunday
Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax added to Royal Rumble pre-show
Raw tag team title match set for Royal Rumble pre-show
Pentagon Jr. quits AAA, announces new name
AUDIO
WOL: Raw, Royal Rumble, Chael vs. Tito, Dan Hardy, crutches, more! 1/24
WOR: Full hour on Royal Rumble, Raw and WrestleMania, plus UFC news! 1/24
WOL: Tito vs. Chael controversy, WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, more! 1/23
WOR: Tito Ortiz retires, Fantasticamania, Raw, Smackdown, RevPro, more! 1/23
B&V: NWA World Championship Wrestling, Ultimo Guerrero vs. Volador, more! 1/22
FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 1/23/2017: Previewing the unpredictable Royal Rumble
Whatever your feelings are on WWE inevitably using part-timers to boost another WrestleMania season, it’s undeniable that their inclusion has added intrigue to the 2017 Royal Rumble. Suggesting otherwise would be presenting alternative facts. Even with their limited presence on television, Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, and The Undertaker have added a level of unpredictably — even if it’s only perceived — to next Sunday’s show at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas that hasn’t been matched in recent years… Subscribers click here to continue.
WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: January 23, 2017 Death of Jimmy Snuka, WWE UK tournament review, more
With WWE and New Japan gearing up for what is an inevitable battle in 2018, have a look at the long-term of the modern pro wrestling scene with both WWE’s latest international moves and what’s coming next, as well as New Japan’s plans in the new double-issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
It’s the first part of a story on the career of Jimmy Snuka, talking about his background, how he got into pro wrestling, how his popularity exploded in the WWF, his pre-WWF days, the death of Nancy Argentino, how the plight of Snuka shows how much pro wrestling and celebrity culture has changed, as well as Snuka’s time as a headliner in Japan and the resurrection of the Argentino case, in this issue.
Have a look at the WWE’s U.K. tournament, how this is laying the groundwork for bigger things not just in the U.K. but worldwide, independent promotions being talked about for the WWE Network, WWE going into competition with a business they partially own, a look at the U.K. scene, a look at how this affects certain talent with U.S. companies, and WWE sending out questions regarding expansion into a new part of the world.
Read about New Japan owner Takaaki Kidani’s talk regarding expanding into the U.S. market, his thoughts on WWE, our thoughts on a New Japan expansion, the AXS deal, the U.S. scene, how to handle the U.S. market and why the territories went out of business.
This issue has a look at the amateur and pro career of Kurt Angle and the 2017 WWE Hall of Fame class.
An update on the health of Vince McMahon, McMahon gives his thoughts on certain things in history and what actually happened, latest WWE network offers and why, Brock Lesnar’s schedule, will Brock do another UFC fight, Paul Levesque talks a women’s tournament, Levesque on Kenny Omega, Levesque on Zack Sabre Jr., Levesque on a U.K. PPV, changes to WrestleMania week, lots of WWE injury updates, WWE stock news, most watched shows on WWE Network, next week’s WWE television plus a look at all the WWE arena events from the past week with highlights and business notes.
Examine the prospects of a Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather fight, why it will be under boxing rules if it happens, what would happen under any other rules, PPV prospects and the difference between boxing and MMA when it comes to headliner pay.
Click here for full preview.
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WON BACK ISSUE: January 3, 2000 Goldberg injured after car window stunt goes wrong, tons of news
It appears that Bill Goldberg will be out of the ring somewhere in the neighborhood of ten to 15 weeks as the word going around within the company but others are optimistically saying it’ll be closer to six weeks. The actual blow which cut up Goldberg’s arm did air on television which was an elbow shot into the window of the limo that didn’t break the first few times… Subscribers click here to continue.
TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Linda McMahon had her confirmation hearing today in Washington D.C. with members of the Senate’s Small Business Committee as part of her ongoing process to become the head of Donald Trump’s Small Business Administration.
For those wanting McMahon to be questioned about WWE’s business practices, that didn’t happen. The entire hearing was cordial with most of the questions focusing on how McMahon would work with them in her role. Recently elected Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois was the only one to bring up how WWE classifies its workers, noting that she talked about the issue with Linda previously.
Duckworth didn’t pose any questions on the subject during the hearing, but posted on her Facebook account that she has concerns about WWE’s labor practices under Linda that she hopes will be addressed as the confirmation process goes forward. Duckworth also wrote that she encourages McMahon to take a different approach at the SBA.
Stephanie McMahon and Triple H were there to support Linda at the hearing. Both were mentioned multiple times, including in awkward comments by New Jersey Senator Cory Booker.
For those interested in procedural politics, C-SPAN has full video of the hearing.
John Cena announced that he would be hosting this year’s Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards.
Roman Reigns did media at ESPN today in advance of the Royal Rumble on Sunday. He was a guest on SportsCenter and the Cheap Heat podcast, as well as appearing on Facebook Live with WWE on ESPN.
Goldberg was recently interviewed by the Sporting News.
The updated list of announced entrants for the Royal Rumble match after last night includes the Big Show, Sami Zayn, Rusev, and Big Cass.
A no DQ stipulation was added to the Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns Universal Championship match at the Royal Rumble.
Luke Harper vs. Randy Orton is scheduled for tonight’s SmackDown. 205 Live will feature Cedric Alexander vs. Neville.
Kurt Angle told TMZ that he won’t be in the Royal Rumble, saying that he hasn’t talked to WWE about anything other than the Hall of Fame.
Alexa Bliss was interviewed by the Akron Beacon Journal about her experiences with anorexia and how she’s worked to overcome them.
Pro Wrestling
Jim Ross posted an apology to anyone who was affected by his remarks about how WWE handled the death of Jimmy Snuka. Ross had said that he had no issues with WWE’s tribute to Snuka and called trying to posthumously prove Snuka’s potential involvement in the 1983 death of Nancy Argentino an “Oliver Stone quest.” His remarks were covered in Sunday’s edition of the Daily Update.
Netflix has acquired the rights to “Nobody Speak: Hulk Hogan, Gawker and Trials of a Free Press.” The documentary looks at the implication of Hogan’s legal battle with Gawker.
Will Ospreay will face the former Pentagon Jr. for XWAUK on March 12th in London.
Jeff Cobb vs. Martin Stone has been announced for Revolution Pro Wrestling’s show on March 31st over WrestleMania weekend in Orlando, Florida.
UFC/MMA
Mike Goldberg opened up about his departure from the UFC on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani yesterday. Goldberg called the way he left “disappointing,” and also noted that he’s had no contact with Dana White since the news that Goldberg would be leaving the company broke.
Nate Diaz told the LA Times that he’s attempting to get his boxing license in Nevada because he’s “being put on the shelf” by the UFC.
The F4W / WRESTLING OBSERVER WRESTLEMANIA DINNER INFO:
WHAT: Dinner at Texas de Brazil
WHEN: Friday March 31st
WHERE: 5259 International Dr Ste F1, Orlando, FL 32819 at 5 p.m. (they may open at 4:30 for us)
WHO: All your best empire buddies
DETAILS: The cost of the dinner will be $68.00 which includes the dinner, salad bar, soft drinks and tea, and dessert, tax and tip. This is a pre pay dinner and you can send payment to paypal at [email protected] (please send as a gift to a friend). Payments must be made by March 24th (if you wait until after that, Ed will charge an extra $5.00 for being a pain).
Today in Professional Wrestling History (1/24): Vince McMahon wins the 1999 Royal Rumble
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