Daily Update: Weekend schedule, UFC on ESPN+, PWG

Daily Update: Weekend schedule, UFC on ESPN+, PWG

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News

ROH reveals first round matchups for Tag Wars tournament
NJPW/CMLL Fantastica Mania results: Family tag tournament finals
UFC unveils new Legacy title belt design
Matt Sydal to undergo surgery to repair torn cartilage in knee

Latest Audio

F4D: Tons of thoughts on RAW, Alexa and Mandy, Observer Awards, so much more! 1/18
WOL: Tons of news, Dr. Lucha talks RRRRRRRUSH, and more! 1/18
Wrestling Weekly: Nigel McGuinness documentary, mad dash for talent 1/18
B&V&G: Granny, NXT, Nigel McGuinness documentary! 1/17

We’re looking for reports on tonight’s Raw house show in San Antonio, WOS in Southampton, Evolve in Brooklyn and PWG in Los Angeles to [email protected].

We’re also doing polls this week on all three nights of Fantastica Mania at Korakuen Hall, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match for each show to [email protected].

EVOLVE AT 8 P.M. EASTERN TONIGHT FROM BROOKLYN

Joe Gacy vs. Colby Corino
Priscilla Kelly vs. Trish Adora
Anthony Henry vs. Curt Stallion
Fabian Aichner vs. Darby Allin
Leon Ruff & Adrian Alanis vs. John Silver & Alex Reynolds vs. Juntai & Gavin Quinn vs. mystery team – winning team then faces The Street Profits for the tag titles later in the show
JD Drake vs. Eddie Kingston no DQ for WWN title
Johnny Gargano & AR Fox vs. Austin Theory & Josh Briggs

NEW JAPAN WORLD PRO WRESTLING ON AXS TV AT 8 P.M. EASTERN TONIGHT

Five-team gauntlet trios match from the Tokyo Dome
Kushida vs. Taiji Ishimori for IWGP jr. title

MLW ON BEINSPORTS AT 8 P.M. EASTERN TONIGHT

WOMEN OF WRESTLING ON AXS TV AT 9 P.M. EASTERN TONIGHT

Santana Garrett vs. Jungle Grrrl
The Beast vs. Stephy Slays
Abilene Maverick vs. Fire

CMLL FROM ARENA MEXICO AT 9:30 P.M. EASTERN TONIGHT

Arkalis & Astral & Magnus vs. Akuma & Espanto Jr. & Metalico
Jarochita & Marcela & Princesa Sugehit vs. Amapola & Dalys & Metalica
Esfinge & Guerrero Maya Jr. & Rey Cometa vs. Dragon Rojo Jr.& Polvora & Virus
Stuka Jr.& Kraneo & Volcano vs. Rey Bucanero & Shocker & Virus
Diamante Azul & Niebla Roja & Valiente vs. Gilbert El Boricua & Mephisto & Ephesto
Rush vs. Euforia

IMPACT AT 10 P.M. EASTERN ON THE PURSUIT CHANNEL

PWG FROM THE GLOBE THEATER IN LOS ANGELES TONIGHT

Jungle Boy vs. Brody King
Puma King vs. DJZ
Jonathan Gresham vs. Robbie Eagles
LAX vs. Rey Hours & Laredo Kid
ACH vs. Bandido
Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz vs. Chuckie T & Baretta for PWG tag titles
Jeff Cobb vs. Trevor Lee for PWG title

Saturday we’re looking for reports from the WWE Raw show in Abilene, TX, Smackdown Sioux Falls, SD, NXT in Citrus Heights, FL and WOS in Newport, UK to [email protected].

NEW JAPAN FANTASTICA MANIA AT 4:30 A.M. EASTERN SUNDAY FROM TOKYO KORAKUEN HALL

Satoshi Kojima vs. El Terrible
Toa Henare & Fujin & Raijin (Sho & Yoh) vs. Tetsuya Naito & Bushi & Shingo Takagi
Ultimo Guerrero & Gran Guerrero vs. Dragon Lee & Mistico 

SHINE ON SATURDAY IN QUEENS, NY AT 3 P.M. EASTERN

Brandi Lauren vs. Allie Recks
LuFisto vs. Jordynne Grace
Aja Perera vs. Keira Hogan
Holidead & Thunder Rosa vs. Luscious Latasha & Gabby Gilbert
Priscilla Kelly vs. Santana Garrett
Allysin Kay vs. Ivelisse for Shine title

UFC ON ESPN SATURDAY FROM THE BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN

ESPN+ at 6:30 p.m. Eastern

Chance Rencountre (170.4) vs. Kyle Stewart (170.4)
Belal Muhammad (170.2) vs. Geoff Neal (170.4)
Dennis Bermudez (155.8) vs. Te Edwards (155)

ESPN at 8 p.m. Eastern

Mario Bautista (135.2) vs. Cory Sandhagen (135.6)
Alonzo Menifield (204.6) vs. Vinicius Moreiera (205.6)
Joanne Calderwood (125.8) vs. Ariane Lipski (125.2)
Donald Cerrone (155.8) vs. Alexander Hernandez (155.4)

ESPN+ at 10 p.m. Eastern

Karl Roberson (203.8) vs. Glover Teixiera (205.6)
Rachael Ostovich (125.8) vs. Paige VanZant (125.8)
Joseph Benavidez (124.4) vs. Dustin Ortiz (123.8)
Gregor Gillespie (155.2) vs.; Yancy Medeiros (155.4)
Allan Crowder (252.6) vs. Greg Hardy (264)
Henry Cejudo (124.4) vs. TJ Dillashaw (124.6) for the flyweight title

EVOLVE ON SATURDAY FROM QUEENS, NY AT 6 P.M. EASTERN

Darby Allin vs. Curt Stallion vs. Leon Ruff vs. BSHP KNG
JD Drake vs. Joe Gacy non-title
Angelo Dawkins vs. Josh Briggs
AR Fox vs. Anthony Henry
Montez Ford vs. Eddie Kingston
Johnny Gargano vs. Austin Theory

Sunday has Raw in Wichita Falls, TX and Smackdown in Omaha, NE.

NEW JAPAN FANTASTICA MANIA AT 4:30 A.M. EASTERN MONDAY FROM KORAKUEN HALL

Flyer & Audaz vs. Cavernario Barbaro & Templario
Atlantis Jr. vs. Okumura
Satoshi Kojima & Toa Henare & Raijin & Fujin vs. Tetsuya Naito & El Terrible & Shingo Takagi & Bushi
Sanson & Cuatrero & Forastero vs. Atlantis & Angel de Oro & Titan for Mexican national trios titles
Mistico & Dragon Lee & Soberano Jr. vs. Ultimo Guerrero & Gran Guerrero & Namajague
Kazuchika Okada & Togi Makabe vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Ryusuke Taguchi (all will be in costume playing their roles in the move “My Dad is a Heel Wrestler”)
Caristico vs. Volador Jr.

Raw on Monday will be in Oklahoma City while Smackdown has a house show in Topeka, KS.

Smackdown and 205 Live on Tuesday are from Wichita, KS. 205 Live has Hideo Itami vs. Kalisto vs. Akira Tozawa in a three-way.


F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: AEW roster starts to take shape

Plans for All Elite Wrestling started to come into focus at a rally in Jacksonville, Florida last Tuesday. A surprise appearance by Chris Jericho closed the event, with Jericho instantly becoming the highest profile signing AEW has made in its brief history. “I’m Chris Jericho, and I am all in with All Elite Wrestling,” Jericho said to begin his speech. “Surprise — I think we just took things to a different level, didn’t we?” Jericho said he’s not here with AEW for the money — he’s here because he believes in doing something new and different. 


WON NEWSLETTER: January 21, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Ring of Honor signs Rush, more 

The business year in review issue of the Wrestling Observer is out with looks at both the biggest drawing cards and best big match wrestlers of the modern era.

This issue looks at combat sports including the biggest crowds of 2018, what main eventers headlined the most successful house shows, PPV numbers for 2018, big crowds broken down by major promotion, and UFC PPV comparisons over the last 12 years.

Also have a detailed look at the new signings and negotiations over the past week. Look in depth at the battle to sign Rush, including what MLW and RHO offered, how CMLL played a role, and when Rush will be a free agent.

Read the update on the Royal Rumble show, the story behind why Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman was pulled from the show a long time before it got out, the real reasons why the match isn’t happening and why it continued to be pushed even though it wasn’t happening. 

Read a complete rundown of the NXT UK show, with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

Examine the success of WWE stock, the new U.K. training center, WWE women’s’ tag team titles, the reasons behind some of the debuts of new characters on television, Vince McMahon’s new XFL update, WWE changing hosts for WWE Network, new contracts signed, injury updates, who wants out, and the Nigel McGuinness documentary.


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.


FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

Both Henry Cejudo and TJ Dillashaw made weight, with a few ounces to spare, this morning so their flyweight title fight is official for Saturday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on the company’s first ESPN+ show. Dave Doyle has a really good story here on the background and plans for ESPN with its coverage of UFC starting this week.

The New Japan show in Nashville on 2/2 sold out instantly. More tickets were then opened up and put on sale but I’m not sure if any are left.

The demand for tonight’s PWG show in Los Angeles is the lowest in recent memory.  It’s the byproduct of changes in the industry that will keep companies like that from having the same length of time to use the upcoming talent since everyone good is being signed. The last I heard the show wasn’t sold out. Some of it also is because a lot of regulars went to the Tokyo Dome show and weren’t up for another trip so quickly.

Ronda Rousey will be working the Raw loop this weekend. On the Smackdown side, A.J. Styles and Daniel Bryan are working all the shows. Rey Mysterio Jr., The Miz and Randy Orton are working Monday in Topeka and Tuesday in Wichita. Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman will be appearing on Raw Monday night Oklahoma City.

Hulk Hogan did an interview with People Magazine where he said he was too old to be wrestling again. He said Vince McMahon contacted him about returning as part of a tribute to Gene Okerlund.  

WWE

Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment hosted the official announcement event for Mortal Kombat 11 which took place in Los Angeles, CA and was highlighted by the announcement of Ronda Rousey voicing the part of Sonya Blade in the newest installation of the video game series.
Xavier Woods and Cody Rhodes attend Mortal Kombat 11: The Reveal.
Kofi Kingston, Ronda Rousey, Xavier Woods, and Zelina Vega attend Mortal Kombat 11: The Reveal.
Brandi Rhodes and Cody Rhodes attend Mortal Kombat 11: The Reveal.
Host Joshua Gray and Ronda Rousey on stage at Mortal Kombat 11: The Reveal. 
Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Zelena Vega attend Mortal Kombat 11: The Reveal.
UFC

Jussier Formiga vs. Deiveson Figueiredo, two of the best flyweightsin UFC, square off on the 3/23 show in Nashville. 

MISCELLANEOUS

DDP has a self-help book called “Positively Unstoppable: The Art of Owning It,” that was just released this past week.
ROH has put tickets on sale for shows on 4/13 in Pittsburgh, PA at Stage AE and 4/14 in Columbus, OH at EXPRESS LIVE! 
Ric Flair and Jimmy Hart will be doing a talk show together on 2/16 at the Yellow Rose Theater in Dothan, AL. 
A story on AEW.
This is the updated show for ROH on Honor Club on 1/25 in Houston:
Coast 2 Coast vs. Shinobi Shadow Squad vs. Eli Isom & Cheeseburger
Beer City Bruiser & Brian Milonas vs. The Boys
Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Karl Fredericks & Alex Coughlin (NJPW trainnes)
Willie Mack & Colt Cabana vs. Kenny King & ?
Jeff Cobb vs. Clark Connors (NJPW trainee) in a Proving Ground match.
An update on a statue of The Crusher in South Milwaukee.
Eric Bischoff and former Sports Illustrated wrestling writer Arash Markazi as well as former wrestling hater Colin Cowherd (who has flipped with FOX signing WWE) and Jason Whitlock will be speaking at the BSM Summit at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles.
Cody talks AEW at Breaking Kayfabe.
Any Given Sunday on 1/27 in Toronto at the Phoenix Concert Theater with Hacker vs. Jimmy Havoc in a barbed wire match plus Matt Cross vs. Rey Hours vs. Facade.
Pro Wrestling Phoenix from last night in Omaha: Brett Bishop b Cheffe Barbosa, Seto Kobara b Uncle Ricky, Moonshine Russell b Tim Boston, Jack Darling b Preston Maxwell, Paul Daniels & Joey Daniels b Lars Metzger & Johnny Ruckus, Jaysin Strife b Chris Havius-DQ, Duke Cornell won four-way over Con Artiest, Willy Sweet and Branden Juarez. Next show is 2/28 in Omaha at the Waiting Room Lounge.
Empire State Wrestling on 2/23 in Fairport, NY at Village Sports with Colin Delaney, Cheech, Pepper Parks and more.CWE on 3/1 at Rookie’s Sports Bar in Winnipeg has Psicosis,Dan Severn and Tyson Dux.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Ivan Koloff defeats Bruno Sammartino to win WWWF title


Ed in San Antonio presents the WON/F4W Empire Events for WRESTLEMANIA Weekend (more to be added):

Sunday, April 6th, at 12:00 pm: Empire lunch (all you can eat) at Churrascaria Plataforma ($90 per person), located at 316 W. 49th street in Manhattan. Purchase tickets here~! 
Luxury Bus to MetLife Stadium for Wrestlemania: We will depart from the Hilton Midtown (site of Wrestlecon) located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Departure time is 4:00 pm and will return from MetLife approximately 30 mins after the event. Times are subject to change, and cost $67.00 per person for the round trip. Purchase tickets here~! 


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