DAILY UPDATE
Latest News:
CMLL cancels events amid coronavirus outbreak
Nevada to consider indefinite ban on combat sports due to coronavirus
UFC Fight Night live results: Kevin Lee vs. Charles Oliveira
Lucha Libre AAA postpones Rey de Reyes 2020
WWE SmackDown ratings up for show from Performance Center
Florida county may have to ‘pull the plug’ on WrestleMania if WWE doesn’t
WWE SmackDown video highlights: Bray Wyatt confronts John Cena
Latest Audio:
WOR free podcast: Dr. Alex Patel on the coronavirus pandemic 3/14
WOL: All positive show on what you love about pro wrestling 3/14
WOR: In-depth on the coronavirus with Dr. Alex Patel, latest news 3/14
Are you interested in attending our annual F4W/WON convention? We will hold it during AEW Double or Nothing weekend. For more information, check this post for activities and prices.
WON NEWSLETTER: Coronavirus cancellations, Rob Gronkowski, more
A story on the Corona Virus and pro wrestling and MMA shows around the world is the lead story in a double-issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter this week.
We go through:
Where everything stood at press time for large and small promotions all over the world, as well as other sports.
Which companies can survive this period the best and how this threatens the future of many companies and wrestlers, a well as WWE and other name indie talent that likely can’t be coming to the U.S. because of travel bans.
This is one of the biggest stories to have faced the world in our lifetime, and it affects every business, but sports and entertainment businesses, like all, will take an unforeseen shock.
The issue also covers:
Rob Gronkowski and WWE, what is believed to be the extent of the deal, who is Gronkowski, his prior experience in WWE, what he had said about doing pro wrestling in the past and what kind of impact his being in WWE could have.
The series of copycat lawsuits filed by a number of legal firms against WWE, the claims in the cases and a response by Jerry McDevitt to the cases.
The situation with David Starr being pressured out of wXw and Progress, the attempt to unionize wrestlers in the U.K. and companies that have jumped on board.
Full coverage of the Elimination Chamber show with notes on the show, updated plans for WrestleMania, business notes and match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
Update WWE PPV talks, Davey Boy Smith in Hall of Fame, salary of WWE’s top executives, the change in Paul Levesque’s backstage role, how talent contracts have changed, who owns the most WWE stock, XFL ratings and how this week changed the narrative, Cena movie delayed by a year of release due to Corona Virus, Rousey in WWE offices, change that was made in Friday tapings, Canadian ratings, UFC star talks about doing WWE, injury updates, more on a new athlete that just started, plus he most-watched shows on the WWE Network and details of all NXT & WWE arena events over the past week.
An extensive feature on Wayne Bridges, one of the biggest names in European pro wrestling during the 70s and 80s. We look at his sports background before pro wrestling, how he could into pro wrestling, his unique role in some major movies, his Japanese tours and his time in North America, the history of the world heavyweight title as recognized in the U.K., plus his biggest run as world heavyweight champion, appearing on the big Wembley and Royal Albert Hall shows, tragedies in his life and much more. This is a great history piece about an era of pro wrestling that a lot of U.S. fans aren’t aware of.
Complete coverage of UFC 248, including the show, what happens next, the judging, who the media thought won the key fights, and business notes.
Oregon wrestling in the 80s and its top heel, Rip “The Crippler” Oliver, who passed away last week. We look at the atmosphere when he first arrived, his life and career before Oregon, his attempts to leave and why he always ended up back, his records set, biggest feuds, extensive title history, the 1982 tag team tournament at the Omni in Atlanta,Billy Jack Haynes, Roddy Piper, Buddy Rose and the death of the Don Owen territory.
Update the situation with Scott Steiner.
End of an era, as after 41 years, Stu Sacks leaves Pro Wrestling Illustrated and a career in wrestling journalism that goes back 50 years to his childhood.
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.
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.
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 [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
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SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Starting on Monday, the United Kingdom and Ireland are being added to the United States’ 30-day European travel ban. Americans in those countries will be allowed to come home and will be funneled through specific airports. That ban would be in place if WrestleMania were to still happen on April 5.
Wrestling Travel posted a statement on the UK and Ireland being added: “As you might have already heard the UK and Ireland have been added to Trump’s Travel Ban meaning that travel to the USA will not be possible for WrestleMania. We are currently assessing all options and waiting to hear what is happening with WrestleMania itself and whether or not it will be postponed or cancelled before any further steps are taken. We are sure that you can appreciate this is not a situation anyone could have foreseen, nobody would have expected a pandemic and travel ban to the USA from the UK or Ireland to be put in place. As soon as we know what is happening with Mania we will let you know of your options and what happens next. Please rest assured that we will keep you updated and appreciate your patience.”
Dave Meltzer was on WFAN with Evan Roberts today talking about WrestleMania and how the coronavirus is affecting pro wrestling.
A player for the XFL’s Seattle Dragons has tested positive for coronavirus. The player, who took part in the Dragons’ last two games against the Houston Roughnecks and St. Louis BattleHawks but was asymptomatic at the time, reported his symptoms to the team’s medical staff on Tuesday and was put into quarantine. The XFL issued a statement to USA Today: “The league is alerting players, staff, vendors and partners associated with the Dragons, Roughnecks and BattleHawks. The XFL is monitoring the situation closely and taking every measure necessary in accordance with recommendations set forth by the CDC.”
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced that production on his “Red Notice” movie for Netflix is being paused for the next two weeks: “We are pressing pause on our @netflix production of RED NOTICE effective this Monday for the next two weeks. It’s my privilege to speak eye to eye with our entire crew to help give a little clarity and guidance, as the most important thing right now is for us to get everyone home to their concerned families. Gotta protect our babies, spouses, loved ones and elderly. We’ll continue to monitor and assess this situation closely to make the best decisions for our families first and then our businesses. We’re a resilient nation who ultimately, will always rise to the occasion to be accountable and work together to overcome whatever hardship lies in front of us. Our country will do its job, as the rest of the world will do theirs. Everyone please stay healthy, vigilant, safe and let’s protect one another. We’re all in this – together. DJ”
Mick Foley provided an update on the status of his comedy tour: “IMPORTANT: Due to the very serious coronavirus concerns, my shows with @HEELZiggler in Houston and Fort Worth are being postponed. In addition, there is a very good chance that all tour dates for March and April will be postponed as well. I think it’s the safest move to make.”
Triple H tweeted about last night’s SmackDown: “Tonight was an effort that brought together everyone @WWE so we could go on air and entertain our most important constituency … YOU. Thanks for letting me get my hands (and @MichaelCole’s facial hair) dirty!!! #ThankYou #Smackdown @WWEPC”
Stephanie McMahon also tweeted after SmackDown: “Congratulations to everybody who worked so hard to make tonight’s #Smackdown come to life! From our crew to the @wwe superstars to the team at the PC, it was awesome! I especially liked that new announcer, @TripleH, he was a cameraman too! Like the man said, we do it all for you!”
After Jeff Hardy’s neckbreaker Twist of Fate was called the Twist of Fury on SmackDown, Matt Hardy responded to someone who asked why he trademarked Twist of Fate: “I DID NOT. The @WWE & Jeff are completely free to use ‘Twist of Fate.’ The change 100% came on their end. I wouldn’t ever do anything to hinder my brother. I’m thrilled to see him back on #WWE TV, looking healthy & happy.”
John Cena watched last night’s 205 Live from the tech area at the Performance Center.
Bray Wyatt tweeted today: “If WrestleMania gets delayed The FIEND hereby challenges @JohnCena to a Bar Fight Deathmatch™️. This will take place at @Hooters. Not kidding.”
Dash Wilder, whose real name is Daniel Wheeler, has applied to trademark “Cash Wheeler.”
In an interview with TV Insider, Becky Lynch compared Shayna Baszler and Ronda Rousey: “It’s a different animal with Shayna Baszler. The thing about Shayna is whatever you want to say about it, she has been wrestling longer. She is the one who got Ronda into wrestling because she was such a huge fan. We also haven’t seen what she can truly do on Raw. We’ve seen it on NXT. It’s a whole new kettle of fish up on Raw. Ronda is an anomaly. She came in and had this background and pedigree and a worldwide star. We all knew what she was capable of. Shayna is a little less well-known, but I think in that realm she had a lot more to prove. Like I said in my promo on Monday, she is looking to rewrite history because normal people like me don’t beat trained killers like Ronda. But I did, and I will again. I think she is looking to change that. So she is looking to come in as vicious as she possibly can.”
WWE Network News has the content listing for the 10 WCW Saturday Night episodes from 1993 that are being added to the WWE Network on Monday.
WWE’s YouTube channel has uploaded Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior from WrestleMania VI and The Undertaker vs. Triple H from WrestleMania XXVII.
Other Wrestling
We’re opening up spots on Wrestling Observer Live through at least the end of March for indie wrestlers or promoters who have had bookings or shows canceled to tell their stories and plug their merch. Anyone interested should email [email protected].
Cody Rhodes responded to someone on Twitter who asked if it’s really necessary for AEW to continue with storylines right now: “A lot of folks are sitting at home. Some scared…all bored. Just like real community leaders have come forward, entertainment leaders have to follow suit(safely). People need to laugh, cry, forget, love, all the good stuff. My personal opinion, we shouldn’t hold back.”
Border City Wrestling wrote about the status of their Lockdown Impact Plus special with Impact Wrestling: “To our valued Border City Wrestling fans, as you may have heard, St Clair College has cancelled all on-campus events, including Lockdown, until early April due to Coronavirus prevention efforts. We are currently exploring all available options for the event to take place while also taking into consideration public safety and guidelines from the health professionals. Please keep checking this page for further updates. For those who have already purchased a ticket and would like a refund, please contact your original point of sale.”
Will Ospreay and WrestleTalk are streaming a live show with no fans in attendance on Monday. Ospreay vs. Bea Priestley will be one of the matches on the show.
The trailer for “You Cannot Kill David Arquette,” the documentary on Arquette’s return to pro wrestling, is now available.
wXw uploaded David Starr’s farewell speech from 16 Carat Gold night two.
MMA
UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cerrone re-aired on ESPN at noon Eastern time today and will be shown again at 9 p.m. Eastern.
American Top Team has cancelled classes at its main academy in Coconut Creek, Florida, though the gym will remain open to professional fighters and coaches.
Ali Abdelaziz said Khabib Nurmagomedov hasn’t changed his training for UFC 249 and — as far as he knows — the April 18 PPV is still taking place in Brooklyn.
Daily Pro Wrestling History: WWE WrestleMania XX
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