THE ROUND-UP<\/p>\n
\n
THE LATEST NEWS<\/p>\n
Impact Wrestling ratings drop against night one of NFL draft
\nImpact Wrestling TV taping results: Slammiversary build begins
\nSaudi General Sports Authority apologizes for ‘indecent’ WWE ad
\nNXT Gainesville, FL, live results: Aleister Black vs. Tino Sabbatelli<\/p>\n
THE LATEST AUDIO<\/p>\n
WOR: Greatest Royal Rumble review and all the news! 4\/28
\nWOL: Live show in the middle of Greatest Royal Rumble! 4\/27
\nWrestling Weekly: How Briscos-Funks & Bruno-Harley almost tore the NWA apart 4\/27<\/p>\n
We’re looking for reports from ROH in Lakeland, FL and NXT in Largo, FL.<\/p>\n
ROH\u00a0SATURDAY\u00a0NIGHT IN LAKELAND, FL ON HONOR CLUB AT\u00a07 P.M.\u00a0EASTERN TIME<\/p>\n
Flip Gordon vs. Scorpio Sky
\nShane Taylor vs. Beer City Bruiser vs. Matt Taven vs. Kenny King
\nChristopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian vs. TK O’Ryan & Vinny Marseglia
\nJay Lethal vs. Josh Woods
\nCoast 2 Coast vs. losers of 4\/27 tag title match
\nAdam Page vs. Punishment Martinez
\nMark & Jay Briscoe (or Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) & Dalton Castle & Silas Young vs. Young Bucks & Cody & Adam Page in champions vs. Bullet club match<\/p>\n
BELLATOR\u00a0ON SATURDAY\u00a0NIGHT AT\u00a09 P.M.\u00a0EASTERN FROM THE ALLSTATE ARENA IN CHICAGO ON PARAMOUNT<\/p>\n
Dillon Danis (175) vs. Kyle Walker (174)
\nRafael Lovato Jr. (186.5) vs. Gerald Harris (188)
\nNeiman Gracie (171) vs. Javier Torres (169)
\nEmmanuel Sanchez (145) vs. Sam Sicilia (146)
\nFrank Mir (261.5) vs. Fedor Emelianenko (240) in the heavyweight title tournament\u00a0<\/p>\n
NEW JAPAN WRESTLING HI NO KUNI FROM KUMAMOTO, JAPAN AT\u00a02 A.M.\u00a0EASTERN TIME LATE\u00a0SATURDAY\u00a0NIGHT ON NEW JAPAN WORLD<\/p>\n
Yuji Nagata & Ren Narita vs. Tomoyuki Oka & Shota Umino
\nDavid Finlay & Jushin Liger\u00a0& Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Jay White & Rocky Romero & Sho & Yoh
\nTogi Makabe & Toa Henare vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano
\nKenny Omega & Kota Ibushi & Yujiro Takahashi\u00a0& Chase Owens vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Takashi Iizuka & Taichi & Taka Michinoku
\nHiroshi Tanahashi & Juice Robinson & Michael Elgin & Kushida vs. Kazuchika Okada & Hirooki Goto & Will Ospreay & Yoshi-Hashi
\nBushi vs. Desperado
\nHiromu Takahashi vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
\nEvil & Sanada vs. Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. for IWGP tag titles
\nMinoru Suzuki vs. Tetsuya Naito for IC title<\/p>\n
ALL JAPAN CHAMPION CARNIVAL AT\u00a05:30 A.M.\u00a0EASTERN\u00a0SUNDAY\u00a0MORNING FROM TOKYO KORAKUEN HALL\u00a0ON ALL JAPAN STREAMING SERVICE<\/p>\n
Ryoji Sai vs. The Bodyguard
\nShuji Ishikawa vs. Shingo Takagi
\nJoe Doering vs. Naoya Nomura
\nKento Miyahara vs. Yuji Hino\u00a0<\/p>\n
ALL JAPAN CHAMPION CARNIVAL FINALS AT\u00a05:30 A.M.\u00a0MONDAY\u00a0MORNING FROM TOKYO KORAKUEN HALL ON ALL JAPAN STREAMING SERVICE<\/p>\n
WWE returns to North America with Raw\u00a0on Monday\u00a0in Montreal.\u00a0Neither John Cena, Ronda Rousey nor Brock Lesnar are advertised for the show.\u00a0There is also a Smackdown brand house show in Ottawa, ONT, and it will be Daniel Bryan’s first house show back.\u00a0Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy are not advertised for either Smackdown show this week.<\/p>\n
Smackdown and 205 Live will be\u00a0Tuesday\u00a0night in Montreal.<\/p>\n
\u200bF4W NEWSLETTER:\u00a0Figure Four Weekly: Winners and losers of the superstar shakeup\u00a0<\/p>\n
While both shows retained some of their core pieces, the rosters for Raw and SmackDown have been transformed since WrestleMania. The days after WWE’s biggest show of the year saw Bobby Lashley, The Authors of Pain, Ember Moon, and No Way Jose join Raw, while Peyton Royce and Billie Kay debuted on SmackDown and Paige was announced as the show’s new general manager. And that was just the prelude to this year’s Superstar Shakeup, which saw dozens of wrestlers switch brands.<\/p>\n
WON NEWSLETTER:\u00a0April 30, 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: The story of Bruno Sammartino continued\u00a0<\/p>\n
The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has more about the life and death of Bruno Sammartino, as well as Motoko Baba’s death, the Greatest Royal Rumble and news out of the Impact tapings, PWG shows and UFC shows.<\/p>\n
The lead story goes in depth about the last several months of Sammartino, the nature of his death, his funeral, what was good and bad about the WWE documentary, what was going to be left out because it had to be, as well as details of how Sammartino and WWE got back together in 2012 and 2013 after nearly 25 years of being apart.<\/p>\n
Also look at why Motoko Baba may have been the most influential woman in the history of the pro wrestling industry.\u00a0Read about the heyday of All Japan Pro Wrestling, just who Giant Baba was and his level of popularity and respect, and how the Baba’s first met.<\/p>\n
Read about the different controversies regarding WWE doing the show in Saudi Arabia this week, the ticket situation, the promotion of Saudi Arabia by WWE, the ethical issues particularly when pushing the women’s revolution theme, as well as looking at both the Saudi Arabia and the Backlash shows.<\/p>\n
There is also more on John Cena and Nikki Bella, WWE gets a restraining order against a crazy fan, Reigns talks next year’s WrestleMania, updates on Dwayne Johnson and John Cena in the movie business, reaction to the death of Bruno Sammartino in WWE, as well as the most watched shows for the past week on the WWE Network.<\/p>\n
This issue covers the last two UFC events with the business notes on both of the shows, including notes on streaming viewership, pay records and more.<\/p>\n
Read the run down of the PWG All-Star weekend with match-by-match coverage with star ratings, thoughts on the talent involved, the farewell to Reseda of the Young Bucks, more on the situation with Keith Lee,\u00a0and where things go from here.<\/p>\n
ORDERING INFO:\u00a0Order the print Wrestling\u00a0Observer right now and get it delivered\u00a0via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to\u00a0Dave Meltzer, or by using\u00a0PayPal\u00a0directing funds to\u00a0Dave@WrestlingObserver.com.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rates in the United States\u00a0are $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.\u00a0In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to\u00a0moonsault@mediaplusint.com. 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.\u00a0If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA\u00a095009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.)<\/p>\n
If you\u00a0are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can choose one free classic issue,\u00a0or\u00a0two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.<\/p>\n
SATURDAY\u00a0NEWS UPDATE<\/u><\/p>\n
\n
WWE
\nFinn Balor posted a tweet responding to those who criticized him or questioned why he wasn\u2019t wearing his rainbow-colored\/LGBT community supportive gear at the Greatest Royal Rumble: \u201cMy Rainbow Gear was a statement at Wrestlemania Weeekend. Although the gear has not been worn \u00a0since in 6 appearances(Hartford CT, Cape Town x2,Pretoria, Johannesburg ,St.Louise Saudi Arabia) My support continues despite any color choice, change or laundry schedule. #dirtypants\u201d
\nThe Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, and BBC News are among the outlets that have picked up on the Saudi General Sports Authority\u2019s apology\u00a0for women appearing in an \u201cindecent\u201d way in an advertisement during the Greatest Royal Rumble.
\nVince McMahon and Triple H\u2019s Twitter accounts both posted messages thanking Saudi Arabia for yesterday\u2019s event.
\nIn a post-show interview, Daniel Bryan discussed facing off with Roderick Strong for the first time since 2009 in the Greatest Royal Rumble.
\nSteve Austin praised both Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles for their performances in Saudi Arabia: \u201cShinsuke so much better as a heel. AJ is off the charts good. #WGRR\u201d
\nTitus O\u2019Neil tweeted a picture of him standing next to the ring and joked that his slip in the Royal Rumble match was on purpose: \u201cIt was AT THIS MOMENT…My @WWE #WWEGGR Idea For The Greatest Royal Rumble Moment was Born \u00a0@WWEShop Get That MERCH ready!!! I\u2019m about to slide….These extra Checks right into the bank\u201d
\nAiden English wrote about sharing the ring with The Undertaker: \u201cWhile the legendary Deadman thwarted my #WWEGRR efforts – believe \u00a0it when I say it\u2019ll take a lot more to keep me down, kids. Trust me – last night the starry eyed kid, who always dreamed of throwing on a pair of tights and boots, was smiling…all the way to the grave.\u201d
\nRey Mysterio explained that his gear yesterday was a tribute to the fans in Saudi Arabia for how loyal and supportive they are.
\nAn article on WWE.com teased whether we would see sumo wrestler and Greatest Royal Rumble entrant Hiroki Sumi again.
\nMike Mooneyham wrote a remembrance of Bruno Sammartino for the Charleston Post and Courier.
\nFred Rosser, the former Darren Young, told Uproxx that he was \u201cdevastated\u201d to not be included in or invited to sit in the crowd for Finn Balor\u2019s LGBT-inclusive entrance at WrestleMania 34. Rosser also called Balor one of his favorite people in the company.
\nTriple H spoke to Newshub in New Zealand about Ronda Rousey\u2019s in-ring debut: “I can’t think of a more meaningful, more successful and more impactful professional wrestling debut of anybody in history. She woke a lot of people up and made them realise that Ronda Rousey wants to be a WWE superstar for a long time to come. She is dedicated to this; she is 24\/7 in this. She is a machine when it comes to training and focus and I have no doubt in my mind that she will be great at this.”
\nRousey discussed being a doomsday prepper while at an event with director Peter Berg. Rousey has a role in Berg\u2019s upcoming movie \u201cMile 22.\u201d
\nIn an interview with Sports Illustrated, Brie Bella detailed how excited Daniel Bryan was the night before his return at WrestleMania: \u201cThe night before WrestleMania, it was actually really cute, he couldn\u2019t sleep because he was so excited. I told him, \u2018Think of everything you\u2019ve done to get here.\u2019 So to go from one night where we couldn\u2019t sleep because we were both so sad to another night where we couldn\u2019t sleep because we were so excited, that was so crazy. I\u2019m so proud of him. He\u2019s healthy, he deserves to be in that ring. It shows that with passion and dedication, you can truly accomplish anything.\u201d
\nBill Goldberg did an interview with the Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling podcast, explaining\u00a0how it was a difficult situation to go on last at the Hall of Fame with the show being so long and everyone needing to get their time in.
\nPro Wrestling
\nToday is the 13th anniversary of Chris Candido\u2019s passing.
\nJeff Cobb has\u00a0been announced for the CEO Fighting Game Championships\/NJPW pro wrestling show in Daytona Beach, Florida on June 29th. David Finlay was also officially added.
\nDragon Lee wrote that he\u2019s rehabbing from his quad injury to be back in time for NJPW\u2019s Best of the Super Juniors. Lee, who suffered the injury during a match at Arena Mexico last week, noted that he\u2019s the only Mexican wrestler booked for the tournament.
\nKonnan spoke to Jim Varsallone of the Miami Herald about returning to AAA and mending fences with Marisela Pena and Dorian Roldan.
\nShad Gaspard did motion capture work and was scanned for the Kratos character as part of the new God of War video game.
\nMLW added Jason Cade, Jimmy Yuta & Rhett Giddins vs. The Dirty Blondes & Mike Parrow to the lineup for their May 3rd TV tapings in Orlando.
\nUFC\/MMA
\nDave Meltzer wrote a piece for MMA Fighting on Art Davie\u2019s upcoming UFC Hall of Fame induction.
\nAfter beating Frankie Edgar in March, Brian Ortega was rooting for Edgar in his fight with Cub Swanson.
\nFedor Emelianenko said that he didn\u2019t consider retiring after losing to Matt Mitrione last June.
\nBellator released the third episode of their Countdown series ahead of tonight\u2019s show, which will be headlined by Emelianenko vs. Frank Mir.<\/p>\n
Daily Professional Wrestling History:\u00a0Owen Hart wins Intercontinental title<\/p>\n
CONTACT INFORMATION<\/p>\n
Poll opinions:\u00a0dave@wrestlingobserver.com THE ROUND-UP THE LATEST NEWS Impact Wrestling ratings drop against night one of NFL draft Impact Wrestling TV taping results: Slammiversary build begins Saudi General Sports Authority apologizes for ‘indecent’ WWE ad NXT Gainesville, FL, live results: Aleister Black vs. Tino Sabbatelli THE LATEST AUDIO WOR: Greatest Royal Rumble review and all the news! 4\/28…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5570","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5570","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5570"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5570\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5570"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5570"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/googmn.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5570"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nFeedback:\u00a0feedback@wrestlingobserver.com
\nShow results and news tips:\u00a0newstips@wrestlingobserver.com
\nWrestling\u00a0Observer Radio questions:\u00a0mailbag@wrestlingobserver.com
\nSupport the\u00a0Empire~!<\/em>\u00a0with\u00a0F4W shirts. Grab yours today!\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"