THE ROUND-UP
The Latest from the F4W Staff
NEWS
Watch the Mayweather-McGregor press conferences: LA, Toronto, New York, and London
NJPW G1 Climax 2017: Non-tournament schedule, tag title matches set
AUDIO: Jeff Jarrett addresses Alberto El Patron suspension
PWG rounds out Battle of Los Angeles 2017 tournament lineup
GFW suspends Alberto El Patron until resolution of investigation
WWE SmackDown video highlights: AJ Styles teams with John Cena
Two more matches added to WWE Battleground card
WWE 205 Live results: Noam Dar quits Alicia Fox
WWE SmackDown live results: The new Face of America
AUDIO
DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Marathon: Modern pro wrestling 7/12
WOL: Smackdown, El Patron, Battleground, Mae Young Classic, more! 7/12
B&V&C: Retro Raw and Nitro from 19 years ago this week! 7/11
FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: Figure Four Weekly 7/10/2017: What’s next for Samoa Joe?
While the question of whether that was actually a double-turn with Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman was the most interesting question coming out of Great Balls of Fire, the biggest long-term issue may be what’s next for Samoa Joe after his main event with Brock Lesnar. Lesnar vs. Joe offered few surprises, mostly delivering on what everyone thought it would be. Joe was a credible threat to Lesnar (despite having to cheat to get most of his offense) before losing in about six minutes. The match felt like the big fight that it was built up to be and Joe more than held his own.
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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: July 10, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: NJPW in Long Beach reviewed, TNA becomes GFW, tons of news
New Japan’s expansion into the U.S. with the shows over the weekend in Long Beach is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Look through the business of the show, the positives, the negatives, the complaints about using ex-WWE talent, the U.S. title tournament, views on the U.S. title, as well as the New Japan plans for early 2018 in the U.S.
Read about examples as to why the early success may not lead to long-term success, indications of how well the show did, where the show was the strongest, which wrestlers had the most mainstream interest on the show, the Omega vs. Rhodes dynamic, and all the controversy regarding the announcing is covered. Plus, there is match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results of both the shows.
Check out Impact’s rebranding to GFW, the good and the bad of the Slammiversary show, the interesting politics involved, the debut of DeAngelo Williams as well as match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
This issue talks the WWE security breach reported by Forbes, MSG notes, ideas for big events in 2018 in WWE, new TV show idea, Iron men of 2017 plus who never wins and who never loses, lots of updates on the Mae Young Classic, why Randy Orton will be out for a couple of weeks, experiences of a woman on the WWE writing team, plus the most-watched shows on the WWE Network this past week, WWE company market value, and notes on all the WWE and NXT arena events the past week with highlights and business notes.
Also inside, notes on the pending case against Jim Breaks, the death of his ex-girlfriend, and the details of the case, and notes on the career of Vic Faulkner of the Royal Brothers tag team, who passed away this past week.
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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: June 19, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Goldberg turns heel at Great American Bash, All Japan changes, more
In a week where the entire landscape of the pro wrestling industry is expected to change, the first tree to fall, All Japan Pro Wrestling, at least in the form it has been for the past 28 years, is no more.Tokyo Sports confirmed on 6/12 that the long-rumored split talked about in this publication had started with Mitsuharu Misawa, the President and top star of the company, resigning on 5/28. The news was kept quiet by all parties until the end of the tour and they were hoping to keep it quiet for several more days in an attempt to present a smoother public transition.
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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
After Jeff Jarrett maintained that Anthem owns the rights to the “Broken Hardys” characters and said that The Hardys haven’t agreed to purchase them on a conference call today, Reby Hardy struck back on Twitter. She wrote: “We had agreement terms as of LAST WEEK. Included non-disparagement clause to the tune of 5k every time I tweet something about TNA…but according to @RealJeffJarrett, there is nothing ? OKAY ! Who’s up for another run of #F*ckThatOwl shirts ? They’ll be up by 2mor. I haven’t said anything FOR WEEKS. Meanwhile, Jeff, Dutch & Ed all can’t seem to be able to keep us out of their mouths. Snakes.”
Paige took to Twitter again to try and explain the domestic violence incident with Alberto El Patron after her first account was proven to be inaccurate. She claimed that she was the one being held for battery charges because she threw a drink at El Patron, but Orlando Police told Pro Wrestling Sheet that El Patron is the only suspect listed.
As expected, SmackDown ratings were up following last week’s Fourth of July episode. The show averaged 2.465 million viewers, up from the 2.329 million that it did last week.
WWE confirmed Kay Lee Ray and Ayesha Raymond as the latest official entrants for the Mae Young Classic.
Lita and Madusa joined Jim Ross on the latest episode of his podcast to preview the MYC.
Sami Zayn announced that he’s starting a campaign with the Syrian American Medical Society to raise funds for a mobile medical clinic in Syria.
Becky Lynch got into a Twitter exchange with the UFC’s Cris Cyborg. Cyborg tweeted: “If you are smart @TripleH you Don’t let @BeckyLynchWWE anywhere near the ring with me! Ireland can’t handle another star losing this summer.” And Lynch responded: “Are you sure Dana would let you? Seeing as he doesn’t seem to let you do much else?”
Pro Wrestling
Kevin Kelly announced that he’s no longer with ROH and will be focusing on his duties with NJPW and other opportunities. He had left his full-time position with ROH earlier this year.
In an update on his condition, Katsuyori Shibata noted that his eyesight is improving and that he’s able to do some trivial things that he never focused on before when he was “living a normal life.”
Kenny Omega continued to tease a feud with Kota Ibushi on Twitter: “Show everyone that you can still stand in the same ring with me. I’ll be waiting. #G127”
Reby Hardy wasn’t the only person who took exception to Jeff Jarrett’s conference call, with Shane Helms tweeting that Jarrett would “rather climb a tree to tell a lie than stay on the ground and tell the truth” in response to Jarrett saying that Helms and other agents were let go because they had too many of them.
The New York Times has a video and article advocating for pro wrestling as a form of storytelling.
UFC/MMA
If the first stop on the Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor press conference tour was a letdown at all, today’s event in Toronto more than made up for it. McGregor was at his absolute best, with him insulting Showtime to Stephen Espinoza’s (their vice president) face after believing that they cut his microphone yesterday. McGregor also insulted Mayweather for not being able to read. At one point, there was a “pay your taxes” chant directed at Mayweather. Mayweather apologized to Dana White for anything bad he’s ever said about him and said that they’re the ones with the money instead of McGregor.
Showtime issued a statement saying that they didn’t intentionally cut anyone’s microphone.
The UFC has another video blog with McGregor and White that focuses on the first stop of the tour.
Mayweather said that the fight against McGregor will be his last because he can’t push his body anymore.
McGregor looks forward to going back to MMA for a “true fight” after facing Mayweather.
John Kavanagh (McGregor’s coach) tweeted about Mayweather: “he should have stuck to hitting girls and running strip clubs. he’s awoken a dark dark animal that he’s only met in his worst nightmares.”
The prelims for UFC 213 did the lowest ratings for any pre-PPV show since 2014.
Today in Pro Wrestling History: Big Van Vader wins WCW title from Sting
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
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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