mobanmarketDAILY UPDATE
Latest News:
WWE SmackDown live results: Final build to Money in the Bank
UFC 249 weigh-in results: Title fights set, only Stephens misses weight
Kazuchika Okada announces donation to coronavirus relief efforts
Roman Reigns: WWE absence due to newborn twins, not health concerns
Latest Audio:
WOL: Roman Reigns, AEW vs. NXT vs. RAW, Money in the Bank predictions! 5/8
Wrestling Weekly: The curious case of the shrinking WWE ratings 5/8
B&V: Bryan and Vinny review AEW and NXT head-to-head! 5/7
WON NEWSLETTER: May 11, 2020 Observer Newsletter: UFC 249 and WWE MITB previews, more
The return of major shows in the U.S. and how the different companies are dong them is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We look at UFC’s plans, how the PBR handled their first event which was the first sports event back, what UFC’s plans are for May 23, lineups for the UFC shows, Dana White, doctors and others talk about UFC going back, the shows AEW and WWE is putting on, how the fighters are preparing differently, how UFC is handling backstage, how all three companies are handling testing, plus comments from other promoters.
The new issue also covers:
Preview Money in the bank, AEW Double or Nothing II, and update New Japan’s plans and cancellations. We also look at the AEW PPV scene, Big Japan needing crowd funding and going through all of the WWE released talent and look at their future prospects.
How COVID-19 has affected the ratings of every show, the variations and what lessons can be learned by the ratings drops.
Risks involving Roman Reigns, FOX airing a special head-to-head with UFC PPV, update on how WWE financials look with new information and stock value, Becky Lynch acting, New WWE TV show, WWE injury updates, wrestler who left the promotion apologizes for behavior, U.K. ratings, Matt Riddle talks heat and his meeting with Vince McMahon, Mike Bennett talks leaving WWE, When WWE tried to work with CMLL, Orlando Colon talks leaving and certain naievete, most watched sports on television, Paul Levesque selling stock, Next week’s TV, and most watched shows of the past week on WWE Network.
Supreme, the Southern California indie star who was one of the top stars of XPW, including looking back at his career, his FMW tag title run, and the famous ECW/XPW brawl at a PPV show.
Maryland commission ruling regarding the Kenny Omega match with Jon Moxley in Baltimore.
What happened to Hiroshi Hase.
Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.
In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
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 [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
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If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
An announcement today by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh indicates there isn’t a good chance for SummerSlam being in Boston this year. He said that they don’t envision a point over the summer where it will make sense to have large gatherings. He announced that no parades and festivals will take place this summer or anything through 9/7. “If your event brings crowds together in close contact–like a concert, a road race, or a flag raising–you should start looking at alternatives now.”
A story on what sports needs to do to open up safely. The NBA is now preparing for no fans at the arenas for the 2020-2021 season.
In Australia,which has had only 97 COVID-19 deaths and many states are recording 0 per day now, the National Rugby League is set to resume on 5/28 but with no crowds. Australian Rules Football starts in June. In July, they are hopeful of events with crowds up to 100 people, and they may increase that in the event of no cases. But they are not looking at any big crowds for events until later this year. The aim is to have everything running by late July except for events with big crowds in one place. (thanks to Nathan Spurling)
An interview regarding wrestling in Australia during this period. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
Dana White said that the UFC will not impose any punishment on Jon Jones for his latest DUI guilty plea.
A survey by Kantar Sports MONITOR as published by Sports Business Journal said:
26 percent of sports fans said they will attend sports events as soon as they are allowed to
45 percent said they won’t attend until they are sure it’s safe
20 percent said they won’t attend until there is a vaccine
8 percent said they will no longer attend live sports events
The survey was done between 4/23 and 4/29 among 2,000 sports fans.
WWE
WWE announced its annual stockholders meeting that was scheduled for 5/14 is being moved to 6/11 due to stay-at-home orders in Connecticut.
FS1 will be airing WrestleMania III for the first time on U.S. television on Tuesday night at 8 p.m.
Stephanie McMahon Levesque followed her husband in selling 23,255 shares of stock on Wednesday for $1,029,963.90.
Michelle McCool in a New York Post interview said there was talk of Edge beating Undertaker at WrestleMania 24, but Edge said that it made no sense to do so. She said that she did know during the afternoon that Brock Lesnar was beating Undertaker and that Undertaker had no issues doing so.
The New York Post interviewed Undertaker as well. (thanks to Barry Werner)
Drew McIntyre talks about WWE popularity in India. (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)
www.BetOnline.ag odds for Money in the Bank
Drew McIntyre -600 vs. Seth Rollins +350
Braun Strowman -120 vs. Bray Wyatt -120
Bayley -450 vs. Tamina +275
New Day -100 vs. John Morrison & Miz +125 vs. Forgotten Sons +250 vs. Lucha House Party +500
Men’s MITB: A.J. Styles -120 vs. Aleister Black +175 vs. Daniel Bryan +450 vs. King Corbin +600 vs. Rey Mysterio +1000 vs. Otis +1400
Women’s MITB: Shayna Baszler -150 Nia Jax +300 vs. Lacey Evans +400 vs. Asuka +600 vs. Dana Brooke +700 vs. Carmella +1000
Lacey Evans will be appearing on the 5/15 episode of “Military Makeover” which airs at 7:30 a.m. Eastern that morning on Lifetime.
The WWE Network has released a three-and-a-half-hour “Kevin Owens’ Biggest Fights” special.
A story about a never used Erick Rowan mask. (thanks to JoePuccio)
UFC
The William Hill Agency odds for UFC 249:
Tony Ferguson -175 vs. Justin Gaethje +155
Dominick Cruz +190 vs. Henry Cejudo -220
About 55 percent of betting has been in favor of Gaethje and 74 percent for Cruz. However the big money gamblers have favored Ferguson.
Of the undercard, more total bets and more money has been placed on Michelle Waterson, who faces Carla Esparza, than anyone else on the show. Waterson is an underdog and has gotten 73 percent of a huge number of bets. However, the biggest money bettors are favoring Esparza.
Jussier Formiga vs. Alex Perez is planned for the 6/6 show.
Gerald Meerschaert vs. Ian Heinisch is being planned for the 6/6 show according to Combate.
Blagoy Ivanov vs. Augusto Sakai is being planned for the 5/23 show according to Combate.
MISCELLANEOUS
Lucha Fighter airs the finals of its tournament on the AAA YouTube page at 9 p.m. on Saturday night:
Lady Shani vs. La Hiedra in the women’s final
Dinastia vs. Laredo Boy in the minis final
L.A. Park vs. Pentagon Jr. in the men’s semifinal
Psycho Clown vs. Chessman in the men’s semifinal
Men’s finale
A story in MEL Magazine on the Jimmy Snuka/Nancy Argentino case and how the authorities dropped the ball.
The Los Angeles Times has a story on the selling of Podcast One, the home of Steve Austin’s show. (thanks to Barry Werner)
This week’s ROH TV show will feature Marty Scurll matches with Kazuchika Okada (from the first All In show, which will be the first time that match airs on broadcast television) and Bandido.
Kevin Eck’s latest ROH news update.
A new photo book called “Through the Lens: Dwayne Johnson The Rock” will be released in September. Hiram Garcia, who is part of his Seven Bucks Entertainment team is the photographer for the book that will be released by Macmillan Publishing.
The IOC’s Olympic Channel will be releasing a documentary called “Rulon Gardner Won’t Die,” which comes out on 6/3. It tells the story of Gardener, who in 2000 scored one of the biggest upsets in Olympics history when he defeated Aleksandr Karelin of Russia to win the Olympic gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling, and his life filled with tragedy, a near death experience, obesity, MMA and bankruptcy. (thanks to Barry Werner)
MLW on Saturday at 10 p.m. Eastern on Bein Sports has L.A. Park & L.A. Park Jr. & El Hijo de L.A. Park vs Psycho Clown & Psicosis & Nino Hamburguesa.
Daily Pro Wrestling History: Edge wins World title from Undertaker
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