DAILY UPDATE
Latest News:
WWE SmackDown ratings down against Democratic debate
NXT UK results: WALTER vs. Tyler Bate set for TakeOver Cardiff
Omega & Young Bucks vs. Jericho & partners set for AEW TNT premiere
Black Taurus announced for PWG Battle of Los Angeles
WWE SmackDown video highlights: Who tried to attack Roman Reigns?
WWE 205 Live results: Drake Maverick vs. Mike Kanellis
Charlotte Flair vs. Trish Stratus confirmed for WWE SummerSlam
Marko Stunt officially signs with AEW
Update: Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler not happening at WWE SummerSlam
WWE SmackDown live results: King’s Court with Trish Stratus
Latest Audio:
F4D: Americanrana 19 fallout, Smackdown, Geek of the Week, more! 7/31
WOL: Smackdown, Roman attack, IIconics, RAW ratings, AEW, more! 7/31
B&V&C: Retro Raw and Nitro from 19 years ago this week! 7/30
F4W NEWSLETTER: Raw Reunion and WWE nostalgia
Joseph Currier looks at the successes and failures of WWE’s latest nostalgia episode.
WWE went back to the nostalgia well for last week’s Raw Reunion episode.
The show featured dozens of returns and was capped off by Steve Austin, Ric Flair, and Hulk Hogan all making appearances. Austin led a toast to Monday Night Raw to close the episode, with all of the returning wrestlers coming out and taking part in what was genuinely a sincere moment. Austin didn’t give out stunners to anyone. There was no one to come crash the segment. He spoke about all of the returners being a family, and it was intended to be a real celebration for all of them.
Raw Reunion also included an increasingly rare appearance by John Cena, D-Generation X, Kevin Nash & Scott Hall saved Seth Rollins from AJ Styles, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson, Bray Wyatt attacked Mick Foley and put him in the Mandible Claw, and there were nine 24/7 title changes. R-Truth started and ended the night as 24/7 Champion, with Drake Maverick (twice), Pat Patterson, Gerald Brisco, Kelly Kelly, Candice Michelle, Madusa, and Ted DiBiase holding the title between Truth’s reigns.
WON NEWSLETTER: July 29, 2019 Observer Newsletter: AEW announces TV details, more
The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has details on the first episode of AEW on TNT, the possible name of the show, why the host city was chosen, and potential TV competition in the first few weeks of airing.
We detail the latest G1 Climax 29 shows, and how it compares to last year’s tournament.
We have coverage of Jon Jones and his latest potential legal trouble.
We cover Summerslam, how the card is shaping up, and the possible return of a WWE Hall of Famer on the show.
We look back at Saturday’s UFC show, and the business notes on the show.
We have details on Dragon Gate’s biggest show of the year, and have business notes on that as well.
We also have coverage of a wrestling star being part of Hollywood box office history.
There’s also a run down the ratings of all the major TV shows, along with detailed demo info for the WWE shows and results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
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WWE
WWE and 2K Sports released the first two screenshots for WWE 2K20 today, with the screenshots featuring Brock Lesnar and Bayley. The cover of WWE 2K20, game footage, and more information will be revealed on Monday.
Despite being set up last Tuesday, The IIconics’ non-title match against Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville didn’t happen this week. WWE uploaded a video where The IIconics said Billie Kay couldn’t wrestle due to having “puppy fever.” Asuka & Kairi Sane (w/ Paige) and Rose & Deville then argued over which team deserves to get a Women’s Tag Team title shot.
Ali pinned Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura in a non-title match on SmackDown last night. WWE also set up Aleister Black vs. Sami Zayn for SummerSlam, with Zayn cutting a promo and saying he’s going to end the hype of Aleister Black.
WWE posted a brief video with Chris Sabin talking about guest coaching at the Performance Center this week.
Natalya tweeted that she trained at the Performance Center today ahead of SummerSlam: “I had the most incredible training session at the Performance Center today on the road to #SummerSlam. I couldn’t be more impressed with the women I wrestled with — Thank you. The grueling practice reminded me that talent and hard work can’t be stopped.” Meiko Satomura, who also was a guest coach at the Performance Center earlier this year, was in pictures that Natalya posted.
Finn Balor will be appearing on FS1’s pre-game show for tonight’s MLS All-Star Game.
Nikki & Brie Bella will be on the Celebrity Family Feud episode that’s airing on ABC at 8 p.m. Eastern time on August 18. Nikki, Brie, their brother JJ Garcia, their mother Kathy Laurinaitis, and their cousin Lauren Jennifer Garcia will be facing MMA fighters Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, Tyron Woodley, Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, and Ryan Bader. The Bellas are playing for The V Foundation and Connor’s Cure, while the MMA fighters are supporting the Andy Vargas Foundation.
Complex has an interview with Roman Reigns.
The Rock named Drew McIntyre as someone who has the potential to be a star in WWE.
WWE’s Josiah Williams interviewed Mark Henry while at Raw Reunion.
Freddie Prinze Jr. appeared on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show this week and discussed his time working for WWE.
Pro Wrestling
Rhyno has signed a multi-year deal with Impact Wrestling.
Impact is taping TV at Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall in Las Vegas on September 5-6.
In an Instagram post, Chris Jericho teased who his two mystery partners are going to be for his match against Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks on AEW’s first TV episode: “Now THIS is how you make a national television debut…..@mattjackson13, @nickjacksonyb & @kennyomegamanx VS #Jericho & 2 MYSTERY PARTNERS. And trust me…you’re not gonna believe who I’m planning on bringing in! Get your tickets THIS FRIDAY and be a part of history! @aewontnt @allelitewrestling #YoureWelcome”
Sienna has been announced for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport II in Atlantic City, New Jersey on September 14.
Big Cass was interviewed by Pro Wrestling Sheet and spoke about why he chose to open up about battling depression and anxiety.
David Arquette is the guest on today’s episode of Talk is Jericho.
Martin Kirby will make his DDT debut this Saturday.
Impact Wrestling uploaded a video with Scott Steiner’s five wildest promos for the company.
UFC/MMA
Cain Velasquez was interviewed by ESPN ahead of his pro wrestling debut at Triplemania XXVII this Saturday. Velasquez said he plans on continuing with the UFC and didn’t rule out fighting before the end of the year. He also discussed his future in lucha libre: “This could be the future for me. Anything I can do, I try to be the best at it. I’m very competitive in that way. I’ll bust my ass to get every move down and also to sell every move. … I want to be a black belt in lucha, if they gave out belts. That’s my goal — to be the best luchador that I can be.” Velasquez is teaming with Psycho Clown & Cody Rhodes against Texano Jr., Taurus, and a mystery partner at Triplemania. Velasquez told ESPN that he wants to be ready to have matches at AAA’s shows at Madison Square Garden and The Forum this year.
Kurt Angle gave Colby Covington permission to use his entrance music for Saturday’s UFC show.
Cris Cyborg posted video of her speaking to Dana White backstage after her fight at UFC 240.
Mackenzie Dern will make her return against Amanda Ribas at the UFC’s ESPN+ show on October 12.
Daily Pro Wrestling History: WWF Wrestlefest 1988
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