mobanmarketTHE ROUND-UP
The Latest from the F4W Staff
NEWS
WWE Q2 financials: Record revenue, big Network churn
NJPW G1 Climax 27 night eight results: Elgin vs. Omega
Lucha Underground results: Rey Mysterio vs. PJ Black
WWE NXT results: Kassius Ohno vs. Hideo Itami
AUDIO
F4D: Great Smackdown, 1990 Royal Rumble, Geek of the Week and more! 7/27
DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Marathon: Karl opens the mailbag 7/27
WOL: WWE financials, Network numbers, Smackdown, tons more! 7/27
JNPO: UFC 214 preview show with Josh Gross 7/27
WOR: Smackdown, G-1, CTE study, UFC 214, tons more! 7/27
FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: Figure Four Weekly 7/24/2017: Battleground brings Smackdown to lowest point since brand split
Only days after the one-year anniversary of WWE’s most recent attempt at a brand split, SmackDown hit its lowest point since last summer with Battleground. It wouldn’t be much of an issue if this were an outlier. Bad pay-per-views are bound to happen and there will always be excuses for them. Stipulations marred things at Battleground, dragging down both John Cena vs. Rusev and the main event.
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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: July 31, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Status of rights fees, WWE Battleground review, more
What in many ways is the biggest business news story in sports, the changes in television and future of huge rights fees, in looking at UFC’s opening up negotiations for its 2019 TV deal, is the lead story in the current issue, because it also is the first in a new era of declining cable and perhaps money coming from other places, and will probably indicate how WWE’s negotiations go a year later.
The new issue is a double issue including a feature on the first MMA events ever held in the U.S. that have been forgotten over time, and what pro wrestling star was part of the catalyst for the organizers in coming up with the idea.
Look at what is being said publicly vs. privately regarding what UFC is hoping for out of its new deal, the aspect of timing, what it means to the overall value of UFC as well as WWE going forward, the value of UFC to FS 1 and FS 2, how Fight Pass fits in, the future of PPV for UFC, where ESPN stands and other networks and interest levels.
Read about WWE heading into SummerSlam, with the new matches, new matches being teased, matches announced and current storylines. Explore the situation with Brock Lesnar, the U.S. title match at Battleground with the unique finish, the schedule of Chris Jericho, as well as full coverage of Battleground with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
This issue updates the G-1 Climax tournament, including a look at how the style has changed over three years, the tournament quality, the good and the bad of the business and physical demands, who is killing it, standings, schedule and a look at all the key matches.
Check out how TV ratings are going to be changing and have changed, talk of a second Superstar shakeup coming soon, a study of what characters are most popular on YouTube videos, why the pyro cutback was made, Ric Flair 30 for 30 piece, Dwayne Johnson once again talks like he was thinking of going into UFC ten years ago, notes on newcomers headed to WWE, new action figure line, new TV shows notes, Bruno Sammartino update, and The Broken Hardys update in detail with claims.
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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.
WON BACK ISSUE: July 3, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWF wins lawsuit to go to Viacom, King of the Ring review, more
Delaware Chancery Court Judge William Chandler ruled in favor of the World Wrestling Federation and Viacom on 6/27 in the lawsuit filed by the USA Network, which will result, officially, in September, for all WWF cable programming moving to Viacom stations TNN and MTV. Chandler ruled against USA Network’s claim that their right of first refusal in the contract, which expires in September, only pertains to the four wrestling shows on the network and not to an overall marketing deal between Viacom and the WWFE as a company.
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THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Triple H is celebrating his 48th birthday today, with WWE posting a video of the Performance Center singing happy birthday to him.
Thea Trinidad’s name in NXT was officially revealed to be Zelina Vega.
Michael Hayes tweeted a message to Road Dogg about Battleground: “Dogg, WTF, GREAT CARD, just didn’t live up to our exp..,sh#t happens, TALENT GAVE ALL!! Umm, SDL reloaded, last night, So, back in the Sadle”
WWE 2K18 will have a collector’s edition celebrating the 15th anniversary of John Cena’s debut. It includes playable versions of Cena, Rob Van Dam, Batista, and Kurt Angle, a Cena action figure, and a plaque autographed by Cena.
Mike Kanellis tweeted to someone who called him a joke in Impact and WWE, with Kanellis writing that the difference is that he gets paid now. Matt Hardy responded: “It is truly DELIGHTFUL to get your check every week, on time, without having to chase it down for months.”
The Wrap interviewed Carmella about the state of women’s wrestling in WWE and joining the cast of Total Divas.
Paige wished Carmella, Alexa Bliss, and Nia Jax good luck on being part of Total Divas.
WWE is putting out an exclusive Brock Lesnar shirt for those in attendance at their last show at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on Saturday. Lesnar is facing Samoa Joe in a Universal title match at the house show.
Pro Wrestling
Kenny Omega was dealt his first loss in this year’s G1 Climax against Michael Elgin in the main event of this morning’s show in Niigata. Kazuchika Okada remains undefeated in the tournament after beating Satoshi Kojima and tops the B Block at eight points. Omega is tied with EVIL at six points after EVIL’s surprising win against Minoru Suzuki, which could lead to EVIL challenging for Suzuki’s NEVER Openweight title down the line. Suzuki, Tama Tonga, SANADA, and Elgin have four points. Juice Robinson and Toru Yano have two points, with Kojima still without a win.
Jado was pulled from today’s show due to a knee injury.
There will be a day off before the G1 continues on Saturday morning in Aichi with A Block matches. Those are: Tetsuya Naito vs. Tomohiro Ishii. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. YOSHI-HASHI, Hirooki Goto vs. Zack Sabre Jr., Kota Ibushi vs. Bad Luck Fale, and Togi Makabe vs. Yuji Nagata.
Skip Chaisson, the El Rey Network’s chief creative officer, told IGN that things “look good” for Lucha Underground being renewed and said that they’re discussing where to place it on their schedule.
Moose revealed that he’s signed a contract to stay with Global Force Wrestling for three more years.
PROGRESS Wrestling announced that Candice LeRae will debut for the promotion at their show in London on Sunday in a Women’s title match against Toni Storm. That show will also have British Strong Style defending their tag titles against Mark Haskins & Jimmy Havoc.
The Tag Rope posted a mini-documentary on Nixon Newell, which is focused on her farewell to Fight Club: PRO before heading to WWE. Newell was scheduled to be in the Mae Young Classic before suffering a knee injury.
The Intelligencer interviewed Will Ferrara about moving up the card in ROH.
UFC/MMA
Jon Jones told the LA Times that Dana White has shown him his true colors and said that he looks at Ari Emanuel as his boss, with White being the face and voice of the UFC.
Chael Sonnen spoke to FloCombat about why he thinks Jones will beat Daniel Cormier: “When a younger fighter beats an older fighter and then they rematch… the younger fighter wins again only easier,” Sonnen said. “That is the rule of fighting and holds true in boxing, wrestling or MMA. You would have to go back and search two decades to find a scenario where that didn’t happen.”
Ariel Helwani did a sit-down interview with Cormier in his hotel room prior to his fight against Jones.
Cormier’s nutritionist said that his weight-cut is going well, with Cormier noting that he has seven-and-a-half pounds left to cut.
Jonathan Snowden has a longform profile on Cris Cyborg for Bleacher Report.
Robbie Lawler said that it’s been hard not having Matt Hughes by his side in the lead-up to UFC 214, though Lawler noted that Hughes’ condition is improving.
The UFC uploaded the fourth episode of Embedded for Saturday’s show.
Today in Pro Wrestling History: Kurt Angle wins WWE World title
F4W Online / Wrestling Observer Vegas Convention Event Info
August 17-21; All times are TBA; Full information on the group Facebook page; Activities subject to change
For ticketing information go to https://f4wvegas.brownpapertickets.com/
Thursday: Meet at the High Roller for Bowling at the Link; Party at Carnival Court at Hurrah’s
Friday: Kiss Mini Golf tournament at the Rio; Dinner at Texas de Brazil; Suite party (location TBA)
Saturday: Burgers with Granny for lunch; Future Stars of Wrestling show featuring Stephan Bonnar & Phil Baron, and co-main events: 3-way match with Leva Bates vs. Mia Yim vs. Hudson Envy, and “Filthy” Tom Lawlor vs. Thomas Santell (f.k.a. Antonio “The Promise” Thomas); NXT viewing party at the Sci-Fi Center
Sunday: SUPER CHINA BUFFET DAY at the Wicked Spoon Buffet at 1pm; SummerSlam viewing party at the Sci-Fi Center
Monday: Goodbye lunch at Chen Chen at NY NY
All website members will also receive a 15% discount on any purchases from the Las Vegas Fight Shop for the entirety of the convention
Texas de Brazil, Wicked Spoon, NXT and Summer Slam will all be sign up and pre-paid events, prices and collection begin in mid July~!
Pro Wrestling Tees is now carrying our latest line of F4W shirts. Support the Empire~! Grab yours today!
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