DAILY UPDATE
Latest News:
WWE’s Jimmy Uso out 6-to-9 months with knee injury
AJ Styles reportedly returning to WWE Raw this Monday
SmackDown Tag Team title match added to WWE Money in the Bank
WWE SmackDown falls below two million viewers in overnight ratings
WWE SmackDown video highlights: Otis, Carmella qualify for MITB
Drew McIntyre vs. Murphy set for Monday’s WWE Raw
WWE announces lineup for next week’s SmackDown
UFC reveals full cards for two May ESPN events
Updated MITB participants, ladder matches taking place at same time
Latest Audio:
WOL: SmackDown ratings, Dark Side of the Ring, TNA nostalgia 5/2
WON NEWSLETTER: May 4, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Florida and UFC/WWE/AEW, more news
A look at how the major companies are looking at either running or not running is the lead story in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We also have a major feature on the characters from ABC’s 20/20, from David Schultz, John Stossell, Jim Wilson and Eddy Mansfield, as well as a feature on Gerald Brisco and how Vince McMahon got control of the TBS time slot for one year.
The issue also covers:
The schedule for UFC, WWE and AEW.
The time frame Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida talked about for live events, the hypocrisy sanctioning these events, why UFC isn’t running Las Vegas, ESPN’s change of policy, another state open to bring in wrestling, boxing and MMA, UFC’s first show back, update on Fight Island, Bellator plans and Scott Coker talks his ideas.
Another feature on WWE financials with Vince McMahon’s quotes on all facets of business going forward and what is and isn’t honest about them. We also look at why you can’t compare live attendance, what category does look good and what doesn’t, empty arena shows, costs of taping now and why Vince says the WWE Network should grow.
The firings of Cain Velasquez and Curtis Axel and the departure, at least for now, of Gerald Brisco.
How close Brisco and Vince McMahon have been, the 1984 purchase of GCW by McMahon and how it went down, how McMahon lost the time slot after one year, the WWE signing and usage of Velasquez, and what major WWE decision-maker thought Axel would be one of the company’s signature stars.
The latest episode of Dark Side of the Ring on David Schultz. We look at the start of Schultz’s career, his feud with Hulk Hogan, slapping John Stossel, Eddy Mansfield, Jim Wilson, Jim Barnett, how Schultz got fired by WWE, Jim Cornette on the show, the Lou Thesz-Eddy Mansfield confrontation, the deregulation of wrestling, and how the story on Jimmy Snuka and the 20/20 story on wrestling intertwine.
New Monday night competition to Raw, 2K plans or 2020, How WWE stars get paid, wrestler who pulled out of tapings this past week, U.K. and Canada TV ratings, Taynara Conti and Mike Bennett talk being released, Jerry Lawler talks his remark bout Tozawa, Heath Slater talks his departure, David Starr talks current conditions and the most-watched bouts for the past week on WWE Network.
A harrowing story on Ilima lei-Macfarlane and her childhood going to the famed Punahou Schoolin Hawaii and the dirty secret the school covered up for decades that has just come to light.
Full coverage of the Impact Rebellion show with so many champions not there, as well as match-by-match coverage.
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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SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Becky Lynch spoke to TMZ about the advice she’s gotten from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and John Cena regarding acting: “[The Rock has] actually he’s been very helpful in guiding me and actually put me in contact with who my agent is right now. He’s just being very giving and I think they all are because they’ve all been there and they’re all ready to look after the next generation. Cena’s also been so great to me and so generous with his time and his advice, checks up on me and what I’m doing now. I think everybody wants to see the next generation move to where they’ve been, ya know?”
Lynch also said she has no plans to stop wrestling: “Look, I just love performing. I love being able to get it out there, but I also love a crowd. So, as long as I can wrestle, then I’m going to be doing that.”
Lynch is appearing on The Ringer’s “Billions” post-show podcast with show creators David Levien and Brian Koppelman after tomorrow night’s season five premiere.
Kris Tapley of Netflix’s The Call Sheet podcast tweeted that Lynch is “in a certain upcoming Marvel movie.” What the movie is and the extent of her role haven’t been revealed.
The Rock turns 48 years old today. WWE uploaded a Playlist video featuring his funniest moments.
In a message posted on his Twitter account, Vince McMahon wished The Rock a happy birthday: “Living proof that through hard work, there are no limits to what you can accomplish. Happy Birthday to eight-time WWE Champion and The Most Electrifying Man in All of Entertainment, @TheRock”
Triple H also sent a happy birthday tweet to The Rock: “To the most-electrifying of all time…a great adversary, great inspiration and great friend. Happy birthday to @TheRock!”
Mick Foley wrote a Facebook post remembering Nancy Benoit and calling for her to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Aleister Black has been announced as a guest for Tuesday’s episode of WWE Backstage.
Total Bellas averaged 600,000 viewers on E! on Thursday night, up from last week’s 527,000 viewers. The rating in the 18-49 demo was unchanged at a 0.24.
WWE’s YouTube channel added Triple H vs. John Cena from Night of Champions 2008, AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in a last man standing match from Money in the Bank 2018, and Shawn Michaels vs. Shelton Benjamin from the May 2, 2005 episode of Raw.
Other Wrestling
Big Japan Pro Wrestling has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help the promotion survive the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Tama Tonga spoke about the differences between how NJPW and WWE and AEW have approached the pandemic: “There is a different sense of unity in Japan. Here in America, the show must go on. Money needs to come in, so the wrestlers are still wrestling. New Japan stopped holding shows. That’s not just for the safety of the fans, but it’s also for the health of the wrestlers. It’s a different culture in Japan, a lot different from ‘the show must go on’ mindset. The majority of our income comes from live shows, which has been cut out, but the company has held onto the staff and reassured us that no one will be let go. The company is more of a family in Japan.”
Colt Cabana is launching a two-week podcast series where he’ll speak to non-contracted full-time independent wrestlers who have been affected by the pandemic. Episodes will be released daily from Monday to Friday.
Chris Van Vliet has an interview with Britt Baker.
Dr. Luther appeared on the latest episode of Thank You For Being A Friend with Justin Roberts.
The Highspots Wrestling Network’s YouTube channel uploaded Dave Meltzer and Chris Hero’s appearance on Hitting the Highspots with Rob Naylor from 2015.
MMA
The Association of Ringside Physicians released a revised statement on combat sports happening during the coronavirus pandemic: “The Association of Ringside Physicians recognizes that the circumstances regarding the COVID-19 pandemic are continually changing and evolving. As stay-at-home orders are relaxed, athletic commissions and combat sports governing bodies are looking to restart operations. Although it is impossible to eliminate all risk associated with COVID-19, precautions can be made to reduce the risk of viral transmission. Many athletic commissions, organizations and [promoters] are developing new guidelines to limit exposure to all involved at events, including athletes, their teams, commission personnel and support staff. Combat sports event procedures regarding COVID-19 precautions should be actively developed, regularly reviewed and modified based on the evolving knowledge and scientific evidence put forth by public health authorities. These guidelines should also involve local and regional public health officials as well as infectious disease experts and epidemiologists. Our thoughts continue to be with those who have been and will be affected by this disease. We remain steadfast in our mission to serve, protect and educate all involved in combat sports. If any combat sports organization would like help in developing its guidelines, the Association of Ringside Physicians can provide assistance and guidance.”
USADA issued a statement on drug testing for UFC 249 and future events: “As we’ve stated, testing at UFC events is an essential part of a fair fight. We will have doping control officers at UFC 249, and will do everything in our power to conduct testing at future events, of course taking appropriate precautions to protect the health and safety of everyone involved.”
Dana White said facing Kamaru Usman isn’t the only option the UFC is considering for Jorge Masvidal: “We’re talking about a few different things. We have something else interesting for Masvidal, too, that we were just talking about (Thursday). We’ll see.”
Daily Pro Wrestling History: Curt Hennig wins AWA World title
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