mobanmarketTHE ROUND-UP
THE LATEST NEWS
WWE SmackDown ratings down for WrestleMania go-home show
Four matches added to Impact vs. Lucha Underground card
WWE releases brackets for Axxess invitational tournaments
Updated list of entrants for WWE WrestleMania 34 battle royals
Maria & Mike Kanellis welcome birth of their first child
WWE SmackDown video highlights: Styles teams with Nakamura
WWE 205 Live results: Buddy Murphy vs. Kalisto
Opening match announced for ROH Supercard of Honor XII
WWE Mixed Match Challenge live results: The finals
WWE SmackDown live results: Final build to WrestleMania 34
THE LATEST AUDIO
F4D: Smackdown, 2018 Women’s Royal Rumble, Choppin Block~!, more! 4/4
WOL: NOLA Mania weekend, Smackdown, Robbie E, tons more! 4/4
I Left My Wallet In Greg Polanco: Conrad Thompson 4/4
B&V&C: Retro Raw and Nitro from 19 years ago this week! 4/3
F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Looking ahead to Wrestlemania 34
Though there will always be some complications when putting a big show together, things have pretty much fallen perfectly into place for WWE heading into WrestleMania 34 on Sunday. The 14-match card was scheduled to be finalized heading into this week’s television, with John Cena vs. The Undertaker left as the last thing to be confirmed. In a different era, it would have been insane to not announce such a big match before the go-home episode of Raw. But selling WWE Network subscriptions is a bit different than pay-per-views, and the match almost feels unnecessary on such a loaded event.
WON NEWSLETTER: April 2, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Changes to Wrestlemania card, more
An update on WrestleMania, with changes in he show, rumors about the show, ticket sales for all the major events of the week and what shows have the most and least interest is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
This issue has full coverage of New Japan going to the Cow Palace, the background of how that happened, notes on the Long Beach show with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results. Also look at a Friday night show that week, the situation with Rey Mysterio Jr., thoughts on the main event, this week’s biggest shows and future booking.
Read the updated WWE/Hulk Hogan situation.
Examine the notes on PWG leaving its home base in Reseda and full coverage of the weekend show, the PWG business, and match-by-match coverage with star ratings.
Also inside is a full events calendar for WrestleMania week with the non-WWE and ROH shows, how the rules for independent shows will differ from those of WWE shows, and where the big stars and key matches will be taking place.
We also look at two lawsuits against WWE that were thrown out and why, and thoughts on both why they were and what questions they bring up. There is also more on the Greatest Royal Rumble show and the big ethical question everyone is avoiding.
Look at Vince McMahon’s competition for a spring football league and moves that they are making. Plus, get the update on Bryan Danielson, Charlotte Flair, changes in commercial content on Raw coming soon, as well as the latest plans for after WrestleMania.
There is a ton of WWE Hall of Fame news, non-wrestling news involving Paul Heyman, Ronda Rousey media, former WWE star to host a television show, key live dates for the next year, future of Jim Ross, and lots of women wrestlers defend Moolah and others who don’t.
Find out more on John Cena’s acting gigs, Ric Flair starting a new company, new DVD releases for 2018, update on Dean Ambrose, UK TV ratings, most-watched shows on the WWE Network as well as a rundown of all the WWE live evens over the past week with highlights and business notes.
Check out the weekly coverage of all the ratings of the major shows, detailed notes on who is watching all the WWE shows, results from the major league events held around the world, and the major TV show rundowns.
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].
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 [email protected]. 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.
WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
After confirming that their Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia would be airing live on the WWE Network, WWE announced today that there will be a one-hour pre-show before the event. The pre-show will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 27th before the main card starts at noon, which is 7 p.m. local time in Jeddah.
Mixed Match Challenge came to an end last night as Asuka & The Miz defeated Charlotte Flair & Bobby Roode in the finals. For the finish, Asuka kicked Roode, kept Charlotte out of the ring, and Miz pinned Roode after the Skull Crushing Finale. Asuka & Miz won $100,000 for their charity, which was Rescue Dogs Rock. Every other team’s charity received a $10,000 donation. Following their win, WWE posted video of Asuka and Miz visiting their charity.
Shawn Michaels’ ponytail is no more after he got a haircut recently.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is featured on the cover of this month’s Rolling Stone magazine, which includes a long feature on Johnson’s personal life, career, and potential political future. Johnson also discussed his relationship with John Cena while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
As he continues to promote his movie “Blockers,” Cena is the guest on today’s “ID10T” podcast with Chris Hardwick. Cena was on Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take” this week as well.
In a WrestleMania Diary video, Jeff Jarrett got emotional when talking about reconnecting with Vince McMahon in New Orleans.
“WWE Now” with Cathy Kelley will be live on WWE’s YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook accounts on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Here’s the schedule
Thursday, noon ET: Touring WrestleMania Axxess with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
Thursday, 6 p.m. ET: Talking to Braun Strowman about WrestleMania and his diet
Friday, noon ET: The New Day talking about how they’ve stayed together as a group for so long
Friday, 6 p.m. ET: The Dudley Boyz and Mark Henry discussing their Hall of Fame inductions
Saturday, noon ET: Carmella talking about her time holding the Money in the Bank briefcase
Saturday, 6 p.m. ET: Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae previewing NXT TakeOver: New Orleans
Sunday, noon ET: Seth Rollins opening up about what it’s like to prepare on the day of WrestleMania
Paul Heyman told NBC Sports that managing Roman Reigns “would be an absolute career defining moment for me. I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for him as an athlete, a performer, and as a man.” The New York Post also interviewed Heyman about Brock Lesnar’s future and what he could mean for the UFC in TV rights negotiations.
AJ Styles told IGN that he’s selfishly wanted to wrestle Daniel Bryan in WWE for a long time and can’t wait to face him now that he’s cleared.
While appearing on Busted Open Radio, Chris Jericho explained why he thinks we’ll be getting the Deadman version of The Undertaker and not the American Badass at WrestleMania.
Sonya Deville supported Finn Balor’s “Balor Club is for Everyone” shirt campaign. Twenty percent of proceeds through the end of June go towards GLAAD.
At 281 days, Carmella has now held her Money in the Bank briefcase longer than anyone else in history.
Drake Maverick cut the go-home promo on 205 Live last night and hyped up Cedric Alexander vs. Mustafa Ali at WrestleMania.
Charlotte Flair spoke to the Orlando Sentinel about the dental surgery that kept her off TV for a week, Ric Flair’s health scare from last summer, and WrestleMania.
Samoa Joe gave his thoughts on Daniel Bryan’s return while speaking with Al Arabiya English.
Yahoo Sports has an article on The Usos and them making the WrestleMania main card.
Members of the current roster picked their dream opponents for WrestleMania.
Pro Wrestling
ROH uploaded Mayu Iwatani vs. Deonna Purrazzo from the second round of the Women of Honor Championship tournament.
While speaking with the Sporting News, Dalton Castle discussed his character and being more than he’s perceived to be.
The Irish Mirror has an interview with Taya Valkyrie ahead of her challenging for Allie’s Knockouts Championship at Impact vs. Lucha Underground on Friday night.
Jordan Devlin announced that he won’t be able to wrestle in New Orleans after dislocating his thumb last Friday and breaking it when trying to put it back into place.
Caristico and Mistico will be facing off in a singles match for the first time ever at CMLL’s Arena Puebla show next Monday..
Nick Aldis and Tommy Dreamer’s title match is the subject of the NWA’s latest Ten Pounds of Gold video.
UFC/MMA
Khabib Nurmagomedov, Max Holloway, Rose Namajunas, and Joanna Jedrzejczyk took part in the pre-UFC 223 press conference in Brooklyn today.
Dana White claimed that UFC 223 is trending towards being the company’s biggest PPV since Conor McGregor last fought at UFC 205. For that to be the case, it would have to be bigger than Ronda Rousey vs. Amanda Nunes and Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones II.
The UFC uploaded the third episode of Embedded for Saturday’s PPV.
Nurmagomedov isn’t working with nutritionist George Lockhart for UFC 223 anymore due to a “conflict of interest.” Lockhart also works with Holloway and said Holloway’s weight-cut won’t be nearly as hard as they originally thought.
Nurmagomedov and McGregor’s teammate Artem Lobov got into a confrontation at their hotel yesterday.
Despite the matchup falling through once again and Dana White saying he won’t book it anymore, Nurmagomedov still wants to face Tony Ferguson at some point.
Jedrzejczyk wants her and Namajunas to have the best fight of 2018. Namajunas told FloCombat that she’s been freaking Jedrzejczyk out ever since she’s been around.
Alex Oliveira is replacing Matt Brown against Carlos Condit at UFC on FOX 29 on April 14th after Brown was forced out due to injury.
Colby Covington spoke to ESPN about his interim welterweight title fight being in Brazil.
Daily Professional Wrestling History: WrestleMania IX
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