THE ROUND-UP
THE LATEST NEWS
Alberto El Patron booked for Triplemania, reportedly visited WWE HQ
War Games not announced for TakeOver Los Angeles
Two matches announced for tonight’s WWE SmackDown
WWE Raw video highlights: Ronda Rousey & Kurt Angle stand tall
Jonathan Coachman fires back at ESPN sexual harassment claims
NJPW 46th Anniversary live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay
IC title triple threat match added to WWE WrestleMania 34 card
Chicago area set to host Cody & The Young Bucks’ ‘All In’
Lesnar and Reigns to go face-to-face on WWE Raw next week
Jonathan Coachman named in ESPN sexual harassment lawsuit
WWE Raw live results: WrestleMania build continues in Milwaukee
THE LATEST AUDIO
WOL: Ronda Rousey Raw fallout, WrestleMania, MJF interview, more! 3/6
DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: Giant-sized edition 3/6
WOR: Rousey angle, RAW, Coachman, All-In location, tons more! 3/6
F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Recapping Elimination Chamber and the Reigns-Strowman decision
What had been expected for nearly a year became official on Sunday night as Brock Lesnar defending the Universal Championship against Roman Reigns was announced for WrestleMania 34. Reigns defeated Braun Strowman, Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, John Cena, Elias, and The Miz in the main event of the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view to set up him challenging Lesnar at WrestleMania. The match came down to Reigns and Strowman, with Reigns finally putting him down with two spears.
WON NEWSLETTER: March 5, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Elimination Chamber review, Jon Jones hearing
An updated look at WrestleMania, explaining the booking of Braun Strowman, the Brock Lesnar angle and plans for John Cena and Ronda Rousey are all in the headline story of this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Look at the story behind the Reigns promo, the goal of the promo, what is and isn’t reality about Lesnar, when Lesnar returns, Lesnar’s talks with UFC and his decision making right now and a reality check when we look back three years ago.
Also look at the John Cena interview, Undertaker, Rey Mysterio Jr., how the Rousey angle has gone so far, what the TV ratings said about Rousey’s debut, women’s title plans, as well as the rest of the WrestleMania and Fast Lane show.
Check out the Strowman situation for WrestleMania, flaws in the Elimination Chamber booking as well as full coverage of the show, with match-by-match rundowns with star ratings and poll results on the show.
Find out about Jon Jones’ hearing before the California State Athletic Commission and what it means, as well as the completely befuddling remarks made prior to the hearing.
Look at what may be a WWE drug scandal with the tease of 15 names being involved including one who purchased $140,000 worth of substances. Read the claims out there and teases of what else will be released. Find out about the realities of drug testing and the changing pro wrestling business from when the death rate was so high.
Look at what talent WWE is interested in, WWE signing a deal to do events in Saudi Arabia, lots of news regarding the concussion lawsuits filed against WWE, what happened in a deposition that went badly for the plaintiff in one of those suits, more on Ronda Rousey training, Chris Jericho’s 2018 schedule, why Apollo Crews’ last name was dropped and the Dusty Rhodes tag team tournament.
Examine the secondary market in New Orleans for WWE events, update on a deal to bring WWE into a 100,000 seat stadium this fall, Ric Flair becoming a celebrity in Latin America, UFC talent at WWE event and why they weren’t identified, Bianca Belair injury update, WWE headed to Japan and the most-watched shows on WWE.
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: February 19, 2001 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Yearly business breakdown, WCW shutdown nixed
The XFL went from television’s penthouse to its outhouse in record time as ratings plummeted on NBC to the point the entire league is already being labeled, just two weeks in, a major failure in most circles.It got so bad, that on 2/12, just eight days after the initial ratings for opening night came in at well above the levels even the most optimistic in NBC expected, that emergency meetings were held after an embarrassing show with a tremendous finish went 45 minutes long due to an alleged generator problem, an injury, and a double overtime.
TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Green Bay hosts tonight’s go-home edition of SmackDown, Mixed Match Challenge, and the final two quarterfinal matches in 205 Live’s Cruiserweight title tournament. Here’s what’s set for each show:
SmackDown: WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Dolph Ziggler in a non-title match, Randy Orton vs. Jinder Mahal, a face-to-face segment with Charlotte Flair and Ruby Riott, and Becky Lynch vs. Carmella has been teased. John Cena is not advertised for the show.
Mixed Match Challenge: Alexa Bliss & Braun Strowman vs. Naomi & Jimmy Uso (winning team faces Asuka & The Miz in the semifinals).
205 Live: Mustafa Ali vs. Buddy Murphy and Drew Gulak vs. Mark Andrews to set up the second semifinal for the tournament. On the other side of the bracket, Cedric Alexander will face Roderick Strong in the semis.
Matt Hardy challenged Bray Wyatt to face him in “The Ultimate Deletion” at the Hardy Compound on Raw last night, and Wyatt accepted the match soon after. No date has been announced for it, but it figures to be similar to the spectacles the Hardys took part in while in Impact Wrestling. Vanguard 1 and Skarsgard the boat appeared in the video that aired on Raw, and Reby Hardy noted that she filmed the material for it last Tuesday.
WWE confirmed last night that their stadium show in Melbourne, Australia is official and will be happening in October.
Renee Young wasn’t on Raw and won’t be on SmackDown tonight due to being sick. She wrote that she’ll be back for Fastlane on Sunday.
After The Bar defeated The Revival, Sheamus issued an open invitation for any team to challenge for the Raw Tag Team titles at WrestleMania: “Who will Step Up To #TheBar at #WrestleMania34? The Greatest Tag Team on Earth has NO worthy opponents on The Grandest Stage of Them All. This is an Open Invitation… #StepUpToTheBar”
Ronda Rousey clarified that she used a standing reverse kata guruma to lay out Stephanie McMahon on Raw.
Roman Reigns vs. Kane was the post-Raw dark match this week. Apollo defeated Curt Hawkins and Gran Metalik & Kalisto defeated Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese on Main Event.
After undergoing the first of two eye surgeries that he’s scheduled for this month, Jim Ross tweeted that the surgery was a success but he can’t see well out of his right eye currently. He mentioned that it will hopefully be better in a few days.
PWInsider reported that WWE is planning on introducing Cruiserweight Tag Team titles for 205 Live after WrestleMania.
Here’s the updated card for WWE’s house show at Madison Square Garden on March 16th:
Universal Champion Brock Lesnar defending against Braun Strowman and Kane in a triple threat match
Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins & Finn Balor vs. The Miz, Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas
John Cena & Nikki Bella vs. Elias & Bayley
AJ Styles & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Raw Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Sheamus defending against The New Day and Titus O’Neil & Apollo in a triple threat match
Matt Hardy, Bray Wyatt, Sasha Banks, Alexa Bliss, and Asuka are also advertised
The Indianapolis Star ran a story about former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee appearing at NXT’s house show on Sunday. McAfee was the special guest ring announcer for Adam Cole vs. Aleister Black, getting involved near the finish when Cole tried to use a steel chair.
Cesaro discussed his hatred of beach balls while speaking with City Pages.
Ric Flair spoke about appearing in the “Ric Flair Drip” music video and had praise for John Cena in an interview for Revolt TV.
AJ Styles was the guest on this week’s episode of Lilian Garcia’s “Chasing Glory” podcast.
Pro Wrestling
Mike Piellucci wrote an incredible profile piece on Cody Rhodes for The Ringer, with the center of it being Cody’s relationship with his father before and after his death and how that has shaped him.
Rolling Stone ran a video with The Young Bucks and Cody discussing All In and how the show came to fruition.
Cody and The Young Bucks announced that ticket information for All In is forthcoming and fans will be given plenty of notice before they go on sale.
ROH posted an update about their HonorClub streaming service, saying that they’re in the pre-beta testing period for Apple TV, Roku, and Android TV channels and iOS and Android apps. They mentioned that people have asked about matches from the first few years of the company’s history, noting that they’ll continue rolling out classic content as they move forward.
The spot where Sami Callihan accidentally hit Eddie Edwards in the face with a baseball bat on Impact has continued to be worked into their storyline, with Callihan releasing a T-shirt that says he broke Edwards’ face. Callihan also posted a picture of a baseball bat and wrote: “This is STUPID. I’m officially done with this garbage. If any ‘Professional’s’ or fans have a problem with my ‘work’… Please look at my overbooked schedule and come find me. Just know…I won’t be alone. #Unsafe #EyeAintFake #KissMyAss”
UFC/MMA
Georges St-Pierre discussed potential options for his next fight while appearing on the MMA Hour. GSP also said that Dana White doesn’t control him.
Luke Rockhold said a third fight against Michael Bisping is currently being discussed with the UFC. Rockhold mentioned that he’d be willing to take it any place or time.
Bisping denied that he’s been offered the Rockhold fight for the rumored July date, telling him that he shouldn’t be so willing to get knocked out again and to stick to modeling.
Mackenzie Dern doesn’t want to leave the decision in the hands of the judges ever again.
Conor McGregor got into it on Twitter with Max Holloway and Tony Ferguson, with Holloway replying by mocking his Burger King commercial.
Today in Professional Wrestling History: Vader wins AJPW Triple Crown
CONTACT INFORMATION
Poll opinions: [email protected]
Feedback: [email protected]
Show results and news tips: [email protected]
Wrestling Observer Radio questions: [email protected]
Support the Empire~! with F4W shirts. Grab yours today!