THE ROUND-UP
The Latest from the F4W Staff
NEWS
Tian Bing joins Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal lineup
Shelton Benjamin cleared to return to action
WWE NXT results: Loser leaves NXT on the TakeOver go-home show
A look at what’s streaming live during WrestleMania week
WWE SmackDown video highlights: The finale of ‘Total Bellas’
Naomi added to SmackDown Women’s title match at WrestleMania 33
AUDIO
WOL: WrestleMania weekend discussion, Alex Shelley on ROH and New Japan 3/30
DR. KEITH PRESENTS: Just Keep On Truckin’…’til THE DEATH!!! 3/30
F4D: Smackdown, Impact, Total Divas, Geek of the Week, more! 3/29
WOL: Smackdown, final WrestleMania build, more! 3/29
FIGURE FOUR WEEKLY: 3/27/2017: Looking ahead to Wrestlemania 33
As what has now become nearly a full week of WrestleMania-related events begins, the card for WWE’s marquee event of the year is virtually complete. There are 12 matches announced for WrestleMania 33 heading into the final week of build on television, though some issues still remain. Triple H vs. Seth Rollins has to be officially announced, participants in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal have to be confirmed, and we’ll see if there are plans for the SmackDown tag titles and a few other notable wrestlers left without anything scheduled…
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WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: April 3, 2017: Massive Wrestlemania weekend preview, plus tons of news
With WrestleMania coming up on 4/2 in Orlando as part of the biggest weekend of pro wrestling events, as far as pure volume goes, ever in the U.S., this year, more than any other, it has been the name more than the combination of the parts.
There really isn’t the one giant main event, or two, like most years have. Brock Lesnar vs. Bill Goldberg was counted on as the main event dating back to when the program was first put together late last year. It’s not like the angle is cold because it’s not. Goldberg’s interviews have been stronger than anyone could have expected, and his impact and popularity hasn’t seemed to fizzle. Sure, his winning the title from Kevin Owens was sure to draw a few boos. But in Philadelphia, a city where if people were going to turn on him, that would be the place, while mentions of him to the live crowd drew boos, when he actually came out, it was the loudest chants of the night.
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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: March 6, 2000: WWF No Way Out review, Mick Foley retires, more
Unlike most other wrestlers of similar fame, to do a career retrospective on Mick Foley is best saved for an examination probably years down the road. He was the classic overachiever, who defied all the odds, and was possibly the single greatest influence inside the ring on styles changing in the business of the past ten years. In a career destined, because he wasn’t that great athletically and didn’t have what was believed to be the right look and physique, for being mid-card for life, he ended up when his career came to a close, as one of the five biggest stars in North America, and even as a best-selling author… Subscribers click here to continue.
THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Stephanie McMahon and Triple H were on Facebook Live earlier today giving a sneak peek of WrestleMania Axxess before it opened.
The SmackDown Women’s Championship match is no longer listed as being on the WrestleMania 33 pre-show on WWE’s website and as of now is grouped with the rest of the main card matches.
SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain & Nikki Cross) vs. Tye Dillinger, Roderick Strong, No Way Jose & Ruby Riot was officially added to the NXT TakeOver: Orlando card last night. There are five matches scheduled for the show, with Bobby Roode defending the NXT Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura, Asuka defending the NXT Women’s Championship against Ember Moon, The Authors of Pain putting their tag titles on the line against DIY and The Revival in a triple threat elimination match, and Aleister Black vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas in addition to the eight-person tag.
Goldberg tweeted a message clarifying comments that he made about being “miserable” during his current WWE run on the Edge & Christian podcast. Goldberg had said that he was miserable due to the training that’s required in his role but reiterated that his time in WWE since returning has been an awesome experience.
In addition to Tian Bing, WWE announced Mark Henry for the 2017 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal today.
Paul Heyman wrote about why the Monday after WrestleMania is so important.
WWE has been releasing video diaries on Bayley, Seth Rollins, Kurt Angle, and Nikki Bella in the days leading up to WrestleMania:
Bayley returns to the WWE Performance Center
Bayley takes a tour of WrestleMania Axxess
Seth Rollins reveals that he has a cold heading into WrestleMania
Kurt Angle arrives in Orlando for the Hall of Fame ceremony
Kurt Angle reflects on his career in preparation for his Hall of Fame speech
Nikki Bella gets X-rays for her sprained neck before being cleared for WrestleMania
Pro Wrestling
FloSlam officially announced that OTT’s ScrapperMania 3 show at National Stadium in Dublin, with Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks vs. Will Ospreay, Ricochet & Ryan Smile in the main event, will air live on the service on April 15th.
The first major streaming show of WrestleMania week in Orlando will also be on FloSlam tonight with EVOLVE 80 at 8 p.m. ET. The lineup is:
EVOLVE Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defending against ACH
EVOLVE Tag Team Champions Tracy Williams & Fred Yehi defending against Michael Elgin & Donovan Dijak
Matt Riddle vs. Drew Galloway
Ricochet vs. Keith Lee
Timothy Thatcher vs. Chris Dickinson
Jaka vs. Jason Kincaid
Ethan Page vs. Austin Theory
After EVOLVE, Joey Janela’s Spring Break will air at midnight ET. That show has Matt Riddle vs. Dan Severn, Joey Janela vs. Marty Jannetty, Keith Lee vs. Lio Rush, Matt Tremont vs. Eddie Kingston, and a Spring Break ClusterF&%# match among the scheduled matches.
Also in Orlando tonight, WaleMania III will be at Tier Nightclub with a live MLW Radio podcast taping at 9 p.m. ET before an after party. Dave Meltzer, Ricochet, Will Ospreay, Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa, Jim Ross, and more are scheduled for the event.
Lenny Leonard and Excalibur will be the commentary team for tomorrow’s PROGRESS: Orlando show, which is available as an iPPV on WWNLive.com.
UFC/MMA
Tony Ferguson wants to face Nate Diaz during International Fight Week.
Mark Hunt has a massive new chest tattoo.
The UFC posted audio of the UFC 210 media conference call with Daniel Cormier, Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, Chris Weidman, and Gegard Mousasi that took place today.
Daniel Cormier said that his UFC 200 fight against Anderson Silva was the easiest of his career.
Today in Professional Wrestling History (3/30): WWE WrestleMania XIX
F4W / WO EMPIRE WRESTLEMANIA GROUP INFO
BUS INFO:
The Empire bus to WrestleMania, hosted by Leva “Blue Pants” Bates, will cost $50.00 and will be round trip from the Rosen Inn at 9000 International Drive 32819 (a few blocks away from Wrestlecon).
The bus will leave at 3:30 p.m. (time subject to change) for WrestleMania and will leave the show no later than one hour after completion. If you would like a seat email Ed at [email protected] or message him on the BOARD~! for Paypal payment instructions.
DINNER INFO:
WHAT: Dinner at Texas de Brazil
WHEN: Friday March 31st
WHERE: 5259 International Dr Ste F1, Orlando, FL 32819 at 5 p.m. (they may open at 4:30 p.m. for us)
WHO: All your best empire buddies, including BIG DAVE MELTZER
DETAILS: The cost of the dinner will be $68.00 which includes the dinner, salad bar, soft drinks and tea, and dessert, tax and tip. This is a pre-pay dinner. Send payment via Paypal to [email protected] (please send as a gift to a friend).
Pro Wrestling Tees is now carrying our latest line of F4W shirts. Support the Empire~! Grab yours today!
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