DAILY UPDATE
Latest News
NJPW New Beginning USA tickets sell out shortly after going on sale
Cain Velasquez-Francis Ngannou to headline February UFC on ESPN event
Four new WWE Network shows set to air next week
Latest Audio
WOR: Hall of Fame, the UK scene, All Elite, and more 12/22
Left My Wallet: The return of Disco Inferno 12/21
FREE WOL: Lance Storm on Impact’s new TV deal and WWE 12/21
F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Recapping WWE TLC
When Daniel Bryan announced his emotional return to the ring, it was fairly inconceivable that he’d end up being a vicious and pompous environmentalist heel just eight months later. But the character change has revitalized Bryan and taken him to the highest points since the immediate aftermath of announcing his comeback. With Bryan completely buying into the change, “the new Daniel Bryan” has been far better in execution than it would have sounded on paper.
WON NEWSLETTER: December 24, 2018 Observer Newsletter: 7 entrants into the Hall of Fame
Our biggest issue of the year, the 2018 Hall of Fame issue of the Observer is out right now.
Read detailed bios of the seven new inductees, a voting breakdown, as well as a voting breakdown among reporters, historians, current business professionals and former business professionals as well as a breakdown of how all the top candidates did with every group.
Read the explanation of the criteria, the voting, who will be on next year’s ballot, who was dropped from this year’s ballot, with histories of wrestlers and wrestlers in different parts of the world in different eras.
Read full coverage of the TLC PPV, with match-by-match coverage, star ratings, poll results and business, as well as some decision making background.
Look at the changes going forward in ROH in 2019. Read about who is leaving, who is coming, the nature of the Sinclair ownership, how the changes in the industry are going to greatly affect the independent scene almost immediately, the grab for talent, ROH’s key signings and who is coming in that they haven’t signed, and look at the chances for AEW.
Read about the situations with Bandido and PCO, and also run down the Final Battle PPV from ROH with match-by-match coverage, star ratings and poll results.
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.
SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
The latest “WWE Day Of” video features Daniel Bryan on the day of TLC, where he retained the WWE Championship against AJ Styles.
Becky Lynch stopped by SBG Ireland (where Conor McGregor trains) and the Fight Factory Pro Wrestling school while back in Ireland for the holidays. SBG Ireland’s John Kavanagh wrote about Lynch’s visit: “Just finished a tough session with The Man @beckylynchwwe We focused on armbar defence and some sneaky counter throws. 2019 gonna be her year”
WWE stock was down 5.21 percent yesterday, ending the week at $69.73 per share.
WWE touted that Raw ranked second and SmackDown ranked fifth on Nielsen’s list of the most social TV programs of 2018.
WWE Network News reported that tomorrow’s WWE Network Hidden Gems section addition will be a nine-minute match between The Sandman, Steve Corino, and Justin Credible from ECW’s final show at the ECW Arena (December 23, 2000).
Titus O’Neil held a Joy of Giving event today to help families in Tampa. Sasha Banks wrote about the event: “There are those who talk about making a difference, and there are those who actually make a difference. So proud to call @TitusONeilWWE a brother and friend. #joyofgiving was amazing and awe inspiring. So blessed to be a part of this event. Let’s change the world!”
Lio Rush and his significant other Sarah Lai Wah got married this week.
Sami Zayn appeared on the most recent episode of Talk is Jericho.
Matt Riddle was the guest on this week’s episode of the Edge & Christian podcast..
Pro Wrestling
After the tickets that were made available today sold out quickly, Kevin Kelly tweeted that more tickets for NJPW’s New Beginning USA show in Charlotte, North Carolina on February 1 will be put on sale: “So LA @njpw1972 show is sold out. Totally clean in less than 20 minutes. January 30th at the Globe Theater is going to be rocking! Same for Charlotte and Grady Cole with a first day sellout of the tickets put on sale. More will be put on sale soon. #NJNBG” Kelly noted that NJPW will announce when the tickets will be put on sale.
PWInsider reported that the Aro Lucha commercials that had aired during Impact were placed there by Impact (not by Pop TV) and aren’t an indication that Aro Lucha is coming to Pop.
Tom Lawlor vs. Simon Gotch in a “no holds barred fight,” Andrew Everett vs, Dezmond Xavier, Hijo de LA Park vs. DJZ, and Tommy Dreamer & Barrington Hughes vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Brian Pillman Jr. aired on this week’s MLW Fusion episode.
MLW uploaded episode one of Teddy Hart, Davey Boy Smith Jr., and Brian Pillman Jr.’s H2tv.
Pluto TV has added a AAA channel.
UFC/MMA
Ariel Helwani noted that Cain Velasquez has signed a new four-fight contract with the UFC. Velasquez will face Francis Ngannou in the main event of the UFC’s first show on ESPN on February 17.
Despite the UFC announcing Holly Holm vs. Aspen Ladd for UFC 235, Holm’s manager noted that the fight isn’t a done deal yet.
Luke Rockhold said he’s done with middleweight and it’s time to move up to light heavyweight.
Valentina Shevchenko thinks Cris Cyborg will finish Amanda Nunes in the third or fourth round of their fight at UFC 232 next Saturday.
The UFC uploaded Nunes vs. Ronda Rousey from UFC 207 to their YouTube account. That was the final fight of Rousey’s career.
John Lineker vs. Cory Sandhagen is set for the UFC’s first ESPN+ show on January 19.
Daily Pro Wrestling History: Rikidozan becomes Japanese Heavyweight Champion
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