mobanmarketDAILY UPDATE
Latest News
WWE Raw ratings bounce back strong after football season
Rush signs ‘exclusive contract’ with ROH
Shane Strickland says he’s ‘officially a free agent’
Injury updates on Chris Sabin, Flip Gordon
ROH announces teams for Tag Wars tournament
Updated list of confirmed entrants for WWE Royal Rumble matches
WWE Raw video highlights: Balor becomes number one contender
Jerry Lawler re-signs with WWE, says he’s calling Rumble match
Brock Lesnar vs. Finn Balor set for WWE Royal Rumble
Latest Audio
WOL: Finn Balor, Sasha Banks, Braun Strowman, RAW, more! 1/15
DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: WWF Spotlight retro TV review 1/15
WOR: Why Balor replaced Strowman, RAW, All Elite, more! 1/15
F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: All Elite Wrestling becomes official
As the clock struck midnight and we entered 2019, All Elite Wrestling finally became official. Weeks of speculation culminated with AEW being formally announced at the end of a Being the Elite episode that was released at midnight Pacific time on January 1, 2019. With that came the announcement of Double or Nothing, which is the sequel to All In. While there are plenty of questions about what the roster for AEW will look like, the initial group of wrestlers has started to come into focus.
WON NEWSLETTER: January 14, 2018 Observer Newsletter: All Elite Wrestling details, Tokyo Dome, more
The most detailed coverage of All Elite Wrestling heads up the new issue of the Wrestling Observer. Take an extensive look at the promotion, from its beginnings, background on its owners, its front office structure, senior management, contracts with the top guys, different concessions, other stars being talked with, details behind the Chris Jericho signing, an update on Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi, and more on proposed television deals.
Look at the New Japan WrestleKingdom show. Read about the top matches, changing of talent, MSG show, Bullet Club changes, business surrounding WrestleKingdom big shows of 2019 and early 2020 as well as full coverage of the Dome show with match-by-match coverage, star ratings and poll results.
Read about the life of “mean” Gene Okerlund, his background before wrestling, his death and his wrestling career.
Look at the NXT UK Takeover show, update on several injured WWE stars, most watched WWE videos of 2018, new executive hire, and an injured wrestler may become an announcer.
Go in-depth on the Jon Jones situation covering the test results, how the story changed, what the experts said, what is misleading as well as the world of drug testing and PED usage.
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 Dave@WrestlingObserver.com.
Rates in the United States are $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com. For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52. If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.)
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.
TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
(by Bryan Rose and Joseph Currier)
WWE
Happy birthday to Shane McMahon, who turns 49 today. His birthday will play a part in a segment for tonight’s SmackDown, with The Miz saying he’s going to throw Shane “The Best Birthday Bash in the World.” Rey Mysterio vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas and Carmella vs. Sonya Deville are also set for the episode, and the build to WWE Champion Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles and SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka vs. Becky Lynch at the Royal Rumble will continue.
Vince McMahon sent a happy birthday message to Shane on Twitter this afternoon.
205 Live moves back to airing live after SmackDown at 10 p.m. Eastern time tonight. Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy issuing a non-title open challenge to anyone who meets the 205-pound weight limit has been advertised for the show.
WWE Network News is reporting that episodes of WWE Superstars from April of 1992 will be added to the network on January 21. The show has been entangled in legal issues, hence why they adding shows starting on that date.
The season four premiere of Total Bellas averaged 505,000 viewers on Sunday night. The rating in the 18-49 demo was a 0.23. That’s down from the season three premiere, which averaged 517,000 viewers. The season three finale did 617,000 viewers.
WWE has a photo gallery of better pictures of the Women’s Tag Team titles.
Former WWE wrestler Eva Marie is officially part of the cast for CBS’ Celebrity Big Brother season two. The season premieres on January 21.
Pro Wrestling
Ivelisse is saying that she is “being legally held hostage” by Lucha Underground. She said that they convinced her to do season four of the show under the promise that she would be released after the season concluded but are still refusing to let her go. Eric Van Wagnen told Pro Wrestling Sheet that no producers, executives or lawyers at MGM make those kinds of decisions and that the LLC, which is ran by Dorian Roldan and John Fogelman, are in charge of that.
Joey Ryan tweeted about the situation with Ivelisse: “I back Ivelisse 100% on this. Prior to S4, we were told anybody who requested a release would be granted one. Some did and left after the tapings. Others showed faith in the product and now seems are being punished for it. With no S5 in sight, it’s petty to keep anyone locked up.”
Showbuzz Daily noted that they don’t have any ratings for the Pursuit Channel: “CABLE NOTE: Because so many people have asked, note that we have no ratings at all for the Pursuit service, including for IMPACT WRESTLING.” Impact debuted on the channel last Friday and also simulcasts on Twitch.
PWInsider reported that Tracy Williams and PJ Black (formerly Justin Gabriel in WWE) have signed with ROH.
Ilja Dragunov has been announced for Joey Janela’s Spring Break 3, part one. The show is being held in Jersey City, New Jersey on Friday, April 5 during WrestleMania week.
All seven live shows on New Japan World in February will have English commentary available.
Tommy Dreamer & a mystery partner vs. Brian Pillman Jr. & a mystery partner is set for MLW Superfight in Philadelphia on February 2.
Jack Swagger said that, in fact, he’s no CM Punk when it comes to competing in MMA.
Mick Foley will be a special guest at a Comedy Showcase event on January 18 in Miami.
Sonjay Dutt is being inducted into the CZW Hall of Fame.
UFC/MMA
Ariel Helwani is reporting that Anthony Pettis will move up to welterweight to fight Stephen Thompson. The fight hasn’t been signed, but it is expected to be finalized in the next new days for the Fight Night event on March 23 in Nashville.
Tyron Woodley told Ariel Helwani recently that he wants to move to middleweight by the end of 2019.
UFC is hinting that new title belts will be shown on January 19, their first ESPN+ card.
Jennifer Maia has accepted a six-month suspension for violating the UFC’s anti-doping policy after testing positive for substances found in a contaminated dietary supplement.
Here is the fight order for UFC 234 on February 9.
Kyle Stewart has been added to UFC Brooklyn this coming Saturday as a late replacement, taking on Chance Roundtree in a welterweight bout.
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Curtis Millender will take place on UFC’s show in Wichita on March 9.
Daily Pro Wrestling History: Big John Studd wins 1989 Royal Rumble
Ed in San Antonio presents the WON/F4W Empire Events for WRESTLEMANIA Weekend (more to be added):
Sunday, April 6th, at 12:00 pm: Empire lunch (all you can eat) at Churrascaria Plataforma ($90 per person), located at 316 W. 49th street in Manhattan. Purchase tickets here~!
Luxury Bus to MetLife Stadium for Wrestlemania: We will depart from the Hilton Midtown (site of Wrestlecon) located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Departure time is 4:00 pm and will return from MetLife approximately 30 mins after the event. Times are subject to change, and cost $67.00 per person for the round trip. Purchase tickets here~!
CONTACT INFORMATION
Poll opinions: dave@wrestlingobserver.com
Feedback: feedback@wrestlingobserver.com
Show results and news tips: newstips@wrestlingobserver.com
Wrestling Observer Radio questions: mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com
Support the Empire~! with F4W shirts. Grab yours today!