Daily Update: The Rock, Matt Hardy, Jon Jones
DAILY UPDATE
Latest News:
Participants advertised for WWE Elimination Chamber match
WWE Raw ratings up, audience grows in second hour
Full ratings for XFL opening weekend on ABC, Fox & ESPN
WWE Raw video highlights: Shayna Baszler bites Becky Lynch
Tuwaiq Trophy gauntlet match set for WWE Super ShowDown
Brandi Rhodes speaks on leaving Nightmare Collective
Women’s title match confirmed for WWE SmackDown
Shayna Baszler appears on WWE Raw, attacks Becky Lynch
Latest Audio:
F4D: ‘Filthy’ Tom on SmackDown and the road to Saudi Arabia 2/11
DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: The start of 1981 in pro wrestling 2/11
Left My Wallet: Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston 2/11
WOR: New Japan Osaka, RAW, WrestleMania, death of David Von Erich, more! 2/11
WOR: Cody on AEW Dynamite, booking, NJPW, new TV deal 2/10
FREE WOL: Brandi Rhodes interview plus all the news! 2/10
WON NEWSLETTER: February 10, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Major WWE corporate shakeups, more
We look at the changes in WWE business and details on what Vince McMahon was talking about regarding changes in the network and PPV distribution in the lead story of the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We examine the departure of Michelle Wilson and George Barrios, the drop in the stock price, what it will take to get the price back up, McMahon talking business options, what WWE can learn from how UFC handled a similar situation, the business of WrestleMania, the key players, the different options, the UFC PPV deal, and McMahon talks AEW.
Also in this issue:
WWE fourth quarter numbers in every category, profits, losses, arena business, corporate spending and all categories.
McGregor vs. Cerrone business including details of it being the largest streaming PPV in history, how it did on traditional PPV, how UFC ha helped ESPN+ numbers, ESPN+ subscribers as well a the bundle with Hulu and Disney Plus, and how successful it has been financially.
WrestleMania and the net Saudi Arabia show, a new WWE TV deal, Takeover Portland, what medical treatment wrestlers from many different companies are looking at doing, new WWE signings, John Cena in Fast 9, update on talent that has wanted their release, Jake Atlas debut, lots of ratings info, WWE Network price notes, Mauro Ranallo talks getting off twitter, Total Bellas story lines, Bret Hart update, most watched shows on WWE Network and coverage of all of last week’s WWE arena events.
New Beginning shows in Sapporo, with a full rundown of the booking, the business, match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
A feature on the Jericho Cruise, the top matches, how TV was taped, and what happened.
UFC event from Raleigh with match-by-match coverage and business notes.
A feature on the death of Romeo Cormier and the famous Burke/Martin/Cormier family and the heyday of pro wrestling in Eastern Canada.
Regarding the Wednesday numbers, we’ve got full details, demos that each side won, how every segment did and what match ended up as the difference maker.
Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.
In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
A one-on-one interview with Renee Young and Stephanie McMahon will air on WWE Backstage tonight. Charlotte Flair will be the in-studio guest and CM Punk will be part of the panel for the episode.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson congratulated his daughter Simone on joining the WWE Performance Center: “Dreams ain’t just for dreamers. Congrats to my #1 born, Simone Johnson on officially signing her wrestling contract with @wwe @wwenxt and on her way to becoming the first ever 4th generation WWE athlete. Carry our family name proudly, but your road will always be yours to create, earn & own. So proud. Live your dream. Let’s work. #humblehungry #hardestworkersintheroom #4thgeneration”
After the angle where he was laid out by Randy Orton on Raw last night, Matt Hardy tweeted “GOODBYE” and a link to his latest Free the Delete episode. The episode appears to tease Hardy being the Dark Order’s Exalted One before Hardy says he’s “exhausted” instead.
Evil Uno tweeted a picture of the Dark Order today and wrote: “You say goodbye and I say hello”
WWE uploaded a video where Hardy was helped to the back after being attacked by Orton last night.
Prior to last night’s Raw, WWE issued a storyline update on Edge: “WWE reached out to Beth Phoenix last Wednesday at Full Sail and she offered no update at that time. When reached, a family spokesperson said, ‘Adam continues to recover at home but for now the family respectfully declines any further comment. They ask for everyone to please respect their privacy at this time.’ On behalf of the WWE Universe, WWE.com sends their best wishes to Edge.”
The UFC’s Jon Jones told Sports Illustrated that he thinks it’s “inevitable” he’ll end up working with WWE in some form:
“I think it’s inevitable. I’ve always respected WWE, and I feel like the sports can be so similar.”
“I have the size and athleticism and the following to transition over really well. To get the opportunity to just show up, even as a special guest, would be a dream come true.”
At today’s WrestleMania 37 media event, Becky Lynch cut a promo when asked about MMA fighters crossing over to pro wrestling.
Lynch was wearing a bandage on the back of her neck at the media event after the angle where Shayna Baszler bit her on Raw last night.
Xavier Woods announced that he’s taking a hiatus from social media: “I’ve been doing a million and one things since I got hurt in order to stay ahead of my feelings. Unfortunately today i woke up with the intense emotion of how much I miss being able to wrestle. Its really messing with me so I’m gonna be off socials for a little bit.”
Bianca Belair is the guest on this week’s episode of Chasing Glory with Lilian Garcia.
Charlotte Flair appeared on The Herd with Colin Cowherd today.
Other Wrestling
Ring announcer David Penzer has been announced for TNA: There’s No Place Like Home. The show is taking place in The Ritz Ybor City on April 3. Impact Wrestling also confirmed over the weekend that there will be a King of the Mountain match at the show.
Chris Van Vliet has an interview with ROH World Champion PCO.
Tickets for the round-trip Supercard of Honor x Bullet Club Beach Party Bus will go on sale at 9 a.m. Eastern time tomorrow.
Lance Archer posted a tweet last night teasing his next move: “No matter where I end up Nxt. I’ll remain The King of Sports Entertainment Wrestling World, while making an All Elite choice. I’ll absolutely make an Impact but do it with Honor in a Ring of one Major League wrestling promotion from USA to Japan and all over the world!”
JR Kratos is set for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport III on April 2.
Video of PJ Hawx hitting a crossbody into the ring from the second story of a mall has gone viral after being posted on Sunday.
MMA
Gegard Mousasi and Douglas Lima will face off for the vacant Bellator middleweight title in San Jose on May 9.
Manny Pacquiao has signed with Paradigm Sports Management, which is the same company that represents Conor McGregor.
Daily Pro Wrestling History: Dory Funk Jr. wins NWA World title
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